When the Universe Says ‘Bet’ From Snowstorms to Siestas

July marks the anniversary of new beginnings and big changes for my family.

You know what they say: "Be careful what you wish for." And let me tell you—when people talk about manifesting things by sending them out into the universe? I’m basically the universe’s favorite case study. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday: November 2003. I had just gotten home from work after being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic during a snowstorm of biblical proportions. I was trudging through knee-deep snow, juggling grocery bags and a purse that weighed more than a small child, all while trying to find my keys with frozen fingers I could no longer feel. Somewhere between almost wiping out on black ice and muttering every swear word I knew, I mumbled to myself, “Please, God, get me out of here. I don’t care where—just somewhere warm and less chaotic.”

The universe said, “Bet.”

Flash forward one year later: we were unpacking boxes in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico—where the only white stuff on the ground was sand, and the only storm we had to deal with was trying to find decent air conditioning.

Just a few months after my dramatic “my-hands-are-freezing-get-me-out-of-here” meltdown, the universe clearly decided to throw me a bone—or maybe a taco—because my husband Vince was presented with an incredible job opportunity in Mexico. Before I could even say “¿Una cerveza por favor?”, we were packing our bags and heading off to the land of sombreros, tacos, and glorious afternoon siestas. We made the decision to drop everything and move for a couple of years—no turning back (couple of years turned into almost 15 years). Our house? Sold.

Our belongings? Packed. Our lives? Shoved into cardboard boxes with the hope they’d magically reappear in the right country (and in one piece).

As thrilling as it all sounded, I was secretly terrified of this change. At the time, I was in the thick of building my career in Toronto - always busy, always moving. And suddenly I found myself thinking, “What am I going to do with my time in Mexico?”

The following morning, I turned on my work computer and received a random message on the screen - like a digital fortune cookie. It read: "Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

Naturally, I did what any deep-thinking person would do - I panicked slightly and overanalyzed it for the next three hours. I thought, Okay… something to love? Check. I had a husband and an amazingly supportive family. Something to hope for? Absolutely. I was about to move to Mexico and was really hoping I wouldn’t melt or accidentally offend someone with my beginner Spanish.

But something to do? Ummm, I was clueless. I was the queen of structure and a master planner. The thought of having a blank schedule made me extremely anxious. Was this quote trying to tell me that without “something to do,” I was missing the key essential to happiness in my life? Was I destined for unhappiness? After a few more minutes of inner drama (and one very unnecessary Jalapeno chip break), I took it as a sign, a powerful nudge. I had the language skills and the patience (sort of), so all I needed was ‘something to do’ that didn’t involve eating tacos and drinking tequila all day. I decided;

I would become an English teacher. I went online and applied to several different private schools and landed a job – teaching grade 4.

And just like that, my happiness level was – restored, with a side of lesson plans!

“Change is good, change is absolutely necessary. Life isn’t about settling, dwelling and waiting. It’s about making things happen and always maintaining a positive outlook while experiencing all that’s different and new in this world.”

I was ready to make every moment count. That was the goal as we dove headfirst into our new adventure. And let me tell you—our experience in Mexico did not disappoint.

I began teaching Grade Four at a private bilingual school near our home. Suddenly, I was “Mees Perri,” living my best life. My first week, I showed up to the teacher’s meeting bright and early - Canadian punctuality in full force. Half hour later, the rest of the staff casually wandered in, laughing, chatting, and not a care in the world. No one was stressed. It was like walking into an alternate universe where chill vibes and relaxed timelines ruled the magical pueblo.

I’ll be honest—after nearly 15 years of that energy, it became very contagious. I try to keep that same carefree spirit alive since moving back to Toronto... “try” being the key word since everything here is about deadlines, timelines and a scheduling nightmare.

But life in Mexico? It was incredible. And this July marks eight years since we returned. I won’t say I’m thrilled to be back... but I’m also not hiding in my closet sulking with a bottle of Don (although sometimes it’s tempting).

It’s just… different.

Coming back gave me a whole new perspective on life.

I remind my kids all the time: life is an adventure. It’s not always sunshine and street tacos. Change, challenges, and even the “what on earth am I doing?” moments are what shape us. It’s about taking chances, even if it makes us uncomfortable. At times we are happy and at times we are not, but we are constantly learning and growing as individuals. The truth is, we all need to zoom out and look at the bigger picture and not be afraid to try something new and accept changes with an open mind.

"You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life -- so that if it were over tomorrow, you'd be content with yourself."

Jane Seymour

I remember once seeing an elderly couple leaving the mall, walking hand in hand. I smiled and held the door for them, feeling all kinds of wholesome, when the gentleman looked at me and said, “You’ll be just like us one day, dear.” Most people might panic at the thought—wrinkles! dentures! orthopedic shoes! - but I smiled and said, “I hope so, sir. What a blessing that would be.” And I meant it, because growing old isn’t scary - it’s a privilege.

That said, it’s not really about how long we stick around, but how we live while we’re here. So go ahead & close your eyes. Picture yourself old and gray—rocking chair, fuzzy socks, telling the same stories on loop. Now ask yourself: what’s the one thing you’d be proud of? Would it be the jobs you had? The cars you drove? The fortune you built—or tried to build? Or would it be the good stuff—the traveling, the deep belly laughs, the memories that stuck like glitter? My guess? It’ll be the moments, not the mileage. The chances you took, the changes you made, the story you wrote –all in your own narrative.

Moral of the story? Comfort is a place to rest, not a place to live. Don’t be afraid of change – instead – be afraid of staying stuck in what's simply comfortable. Take the risk. Make the move. Change the job. Say yes to the things that may scare you a little, because the only way we evolve as individuals, as professionals and as humans—is by stepping outside the box and believing there’s more waiting for us on the other side. And also - wish wisely when walking through that snow storm one day, the universe is always listening—and sometimes, it too has a sense of humor.

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