The Universe Has Your Back

“What if the Universe had a plan for you that was better than your own? Would you trust it?”

1. Your Presence is a Superpower

Living in the present moment can completely transform the way you experience life. Through presence, you step away from fear-based narratives and embrace love, peace, and abundance. It’s not about controlling external events but about shifting your internal mindset.

Bernstein describes presence as the “Holy Instant,” a moment of complete awareness where you consciously recognize the stories playing in your mind. Instead of letting these narratives control you, you hit pause, acknowledge them, and invite the Universe to rewrite your story with a more uplifting and loving film. By doing so, you tune into your happiest and most authentic self.

Our happiness does not lie in the control of external events but in how quickly we can pivot from a fearful story to one of love and empowerment. With presence, each moment has the potential to be a springboard for joy, healing, and divine guidance.

Examples

• Replacing thoughts of inadequacy with gratitude for one’s current successes.
• Stopping to take deep breaths in stressful moments to reconnect with calm.
• Shifting blame in a situation to self-reflection and choosing a peaceful response.

2. Universal Assignments Help You Heal

The people and experiences in your life are not coincidences; they are your teachers. These Universal assignments, as Bernstein calls them, are opportunities to confront past fears and outdated beliefs.

Take the story of Lance, who struggled with feelings of inadequacy triggered by his girlfriend’s playful teasing. Instead of fleeing the relationship, Lance came to understand that the discomfort he felt was an invitation to heal his childhood fears. Whether or not the assignment completes in the current situation, it will resurface until you face and release it.

By surrendering to the lessons they bring, you not only address old fears but also open yourself to deeper love and self-discovery. Offer compassion to the younger version of yourself who planted these fear-based beliefs and allow the Universe’s guidance to replace fear with peace.

Examples

• A fear of rejection surfacing during romantic relationships allows you to establish self-worth.
• A difficult boss pushing you to develop patience and assertiveness.
• Old family conflicts prompting forgiveness and compassion.

3. Vibrations Shape Your Reality

Your energy, or vibration, strongly influences how your intentions unfold. By aligning yourself with love and joy, you create the fertile ground for divine guidance and abundant blessings.

Bernstein recalls a moment in Hamburg when she trusted her intuition during a talk. Despite language barriers and translation challenges, she aligned herself with love-based intentions and connected deeply with her audience. Her energy carried her message more powerfully than words ever could.

Meditating, praying, or simply focusing on a positive intention helps you align with the Universe’s larger plan. The joy you create by aligning with love not only attracts what you seek but also encourages more alignment, forming an endless cycle of blessings.

Examples

• Visualizing success and gratitude before a job interview.
• Meditating before a difficult conversation to project calm and empathy.
• Smiling and exuding warmth during social interactions, making people naturally gravitate toward you.

4. Obstacles Guide You

Life’s detours might seem frustrating, but they often redirect you to where you truly need to go. Clinging tightly to specific outcomes, as Bernstein learned, slows down progress. However, choosing to surrender allows the Universe to lead you to unexpected miracles.

During her journey to conceive, Bernstein initially obsessed over a perfect plan. Her desperation acted as a block until she let go of her strict expectations and relaxed into trust. Only then did she experience the joy of becoming a mother.

Obstacles are not roadblocks but redirections. Instead of resisting them, ask yourself what they’re teaching you. When you stop clinging to “how it should be,” you open yourself to something even greater than you imagined.

Examples

• A failed job application leading to a better career opportunity.
• A canceled trip creating space for a life-changing event at home.
• A breakup allowing room for personal growth and deeper connections.

5. Truth Leads to Oneness

In moments of stillness and presence, we are reminded that we are all connected. The truth that “all is one” dissolves judgment and separation, replacing it with love and compassion for ourselves and others.

Bernstein suggests using the mantra “Sat Nam,” which means “truth is your name,” to reconnect with this oneness. She shares how viewing others as mirrors of our own experience helps dissolve negative feelings and fosters healing and connection.

When you embrace the truth of interconnectedness, forgiveness becomes easier, judgment fades, and your relationships flourish. Oneness isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s a way to see love everywhere and in everyone.

Examples

• Silently forgiving a coworker who made an unfair comment, realizing their actions mirror insecurities you’ve felt before.
• Meditating with “Sat Nam” to reinforce connection with others during a disagreement.
• Seeing compassion for yourself reflected in how you treat difficult relationships.

6. Surrender Enhances Faith

Letting go of control doesn’t mean giving up—it means handing your wishes over to the Universe with trust. Faith isn’t passive; it’s an active practice of releasing fear and anxiety and embracing love-based intentions.

Bernstein encourages readers to use prayer to acknowledge when they’ve been trying to force outcomes. Surrendering your intention does not mean it won’t happen—it means allowing the Universe to work in its own time and way.

When you surrender, you may find yourself surprised by results even greater than you imagined. Trusting divine timing brings peace and allows your desires to manifest naturally without strain or tension.

Examples

• Letting go of anxiety over finding a job and trusting opportunities will appear.
• Releasing the stress from unresolved relationships and focusing energy on self-love.
• Trusting health challenges will lead to deeper well-being through patience and faith.

7. Love Overcomes Fear

Fear often disguises itself as control, doubt, or resistance. But love is always the stronger force, ready to dissolve fear’s grip when you consciously choose it.

Bernstein teaches readers to use the Holy Instant to pause and redirect energy from fear to love. Whether it’s fear of judgment, failure, or uncertainty, you hold the power to decide differently and embrace faith and love in any situation.

The shift from fear to love is a practice, not a one-time decision. With each conscious choice, you cultivate peace and allow guidance to lead you to the life you desire.

Examples

• Forgiving yourself after a mistake instead of staying stuck in self-criticism.
• Approaching a difficult conversation with kindness instead of defensive fear.
• Trusting a new opportunity despite initial doubts.

8. Obstacles Can Transform into Miracles

Obstacles may test your faith, but they also hold the potential for transformation. When you release resistance to them, they often reveal opportunities in disguise.

Bernstein shares her journey of delayed motherhood as a catalyst for surrender. Accepting her struggle instead of fighting it opened her to the miracle of receiving in a timeline beyond her original plans.

By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, you allow life to surprise you in beautiful ways. Trusting the Universe means believing there is purpose even in the hardest moments.

Examples

• Accepting a financial setback as a chance to reassess spending and values.
• Viewing illness as a message to slow down and prioritize health.
• Facing rejection as an opening to better possibilities.

9. Be a Light for Others

As you cultivate love and faith in your life, you naturally inspire others. The ripple effects of your energy can be profound, influencing those around you to embrace peace and joy.

Bernstein calls us to be vessels for the Universe’s love in the world. Start by asking, “How can I serve today?” Let the answers guide your actions, big or small, and you’ll fulfill your highest purpose of uplifting others.

Spreading light isn’t about grand statements; it’s about everyday love and positivity. The world has its challenges, but through your faith, you can be a part of its healing.

Examples

• Smiling at a stranger and brightening their day.
• Sharing wisdom or comfort with a friend in distress.
• Practicing kindness toward yourself, setting an example for others.

Takeaways

1. Pause in moments of stress to choose love over fear, anchoring yourself in the present through deep breaths or prayer.
2. Reframe life’s challenges as Universal assignments or opportunities and allow them to guide you toward growth and healing.
3. Begin each day by setting an intention to serve others with love and be a light in their lives.