I recently invited members of the Soul Speak community to share their Soul Stories – that moment in your life when you realized there was much more to you than just a human body, when you remembered that you had a soul, and when you felt on a deep level your connection to everything in the universe. It’s that moment when you felt completely loved and filled with light.

Throughout 2014, I’ll be sharing some of the amazing stories that I received. It’s my hope that they open your heart to what’s possible and help you feel how connected we all are to each other and also to the universe. Enjoy! 🙂

I kept telling myself, “pedal faster” as the burnt orange pick-up truck careened down the hill at 45 miles per hour. I was turning left at an intersection along with traffic, but I trailed slightly behind the last car as it completed its turn. The truck driver estimated that he would miss this last car turning, unaware of my approach. By the time he saw me it was too late for him to even slow down.

I was hit broadside with absolutely no barrier between the truck grill and me. Besides this immense impact, I could feel the teeth of the right bike pedal piercing through my flesh and gouging out the side of my lower leg. My body flew helplessly thirty-six feet and I hit the pavement numerous times as my body rolled and bounced uncontrollably. Fortunately, I was wearing my helmet and fortunately, no other traffic was moving through the five-lane intersection at the time.

When my body finally came to a stop, there was silence, a quiet stillness between the trauma and when help arrived. This was only a few moments, but for me, it was as if time stood still. In this silence, something told me to stay conscious, to begin healing my body NOW. Without thinking, I found myself taking deep breaths.

This deep, conscious breathing helped me with the pain much like that of a pregnant woman who uses cleansing breaths during child labor. I could sense the life-giving nutrients from the breath permeating into every cell of my body. At the same time, these breaths kept me mentally focused and probably kept me from going into shock. This moment of silence became a time where I felt surrounded by a comfort that was not my physical form. I was somehow reassured that I was OK, that I would be OK.

Then people arrived, seeming like actors who had rehearsed the actions they took. Several people kept me from moving, insisting that I not look at my injured leg (probably a good thing) and caring for me in every way that they could. Someone called EMS, and yet another redirected traffic. The paramedics were incredible, providing the support my panicked and injured body needed while rushing me to the nearest hospital. When I arrived at the hospital, my mother and her neighbor gave me endless love and encouragement, and the surgeon did a beautiful job of mending my lower leg with 144 stitches. Besides these human “angels,” I believe there were ethereal angels assisting me in this healing process too.

At this time in my life, my overall circumstances were quite grim. In fact, one of the reasons I was bicycling was due to not having any other form of transportation. A few months prior to the accident I had been given an option of going to California and beginning a new life there. This opportunity never felt “right” to me, but I had convinced myself that it would be a solution to my current life circumstances.

There have been so many times that I have allowed my thoughts to rule my life. Where I have allowed my mind to “convince” my Self. I have learned to be logical, a common practice in our society. I have learned to make decisions based on weighing the pros and cons rather than from my heart or my intuition. There are times I have prayed and asked for guidance, but then have not listened. Or if I have listened, I didn’t trust and believe it to be what was best for me.

In hindsight, my intuition was speaking to me from the moment the California opportunity presented itself. As I said earlier, I did not have a good feeling about it, but logically it looked like a decent alternative to where I was in my life. Perhaps it was my wiser, God-Connected Self that knew this was not the road I should take. Perhaps it was Divine Intervention on that five-lane intersection that FORCED me not to board the plane to California. Perhaps there was no way to get my attention other than to literally knock me off my course. And perhaps, ironically, it was no “accident” at all.

It is my belief that there are no “accidents” or coincidences. It is my belief that the people and events in our lives are here to help us become the best that we can be. To be on the path that is true for us. I believe that angels, guides and teachers assist us, even in what we perceive to be a traumatic, life-threatening event. At the time of the accident, I did not believe this. I was already “down and out” in so many aspects of my life that I couldn’t understand how God would “do this to me.”

While in the hospital someone had given me the book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  As I began to read, I immediately related to this book. I had played by the rules of life, and it seemed that LIFE had dealt me an unfair hand. However, as in this event, there are some things that we do not understand at the time.

My body was bruised and had turned every color of the rainbow over the next several months. The pain and rehabilitation was excruciating. However, this time of recovery was also a time of discovery. In my time of physical healing, I had the time and opportunity to heal both emotionally and spiritually. I began to listen. Some refer to this as God’s Voice, a Higher Self, an internal guide, or one’s intuition. I listened through my heart. I listened through Mother Nature. I listened by being still.

“Be still, and know I AM God.”
~ Psalms 46:10

“Be still. Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity.”
~ Lao Tzu

Being physically immobilized caused me to lie still and start listening. This put me on my right path again. It was difficult, but that accident was a valuable teacher. It taught me to listen more deeply to myself. To this day, one of the ways I listen closely is through my physical body. Whenever I have persistent physical pain, it is an indication that something is not in harmony within my self or within my life. Sometimes I ignore it or take an aspirin. This is that detour, nap or vacation I mentioned. But eventually, I come around. My body is one of my barometers to my path. Besides all of the millions of ways our bodies serve us, this is yet another.

Our body gives us feedback; our job is to listen. I encourage everyone to listen. Listen! Whether it is through your body, heart or spirit. Above all else, listen and be true to yourself.

“Listen to your own Self. If you listen to that Self within, then you find the Truth.”
~ Kabir

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Barbara Badolati is a wellness expert, expressive movement devotee, and soul stirrer.  Her incredibly gratifying personal transformation led her to creating Blissful Babe, where women all over the world Awaken their Sassy, Soulful Selves.  Barb is the founder and owner of BE Alive and Well and the MOGA Yoga Center.  She is a sought-after speaker, licensed Wellness-Life Coach, and Nutritional counselor. She holds degrees and accreditations in a variety of holistic health related fields. Receive your free mindful meditation + weekly well-tips here!

Thank you so much, Barbara, for sharing your story and also your heart with us. 

Hugs,