Long-time readers know that I often talk about the Universe showing up right when I need a nudge—or, in this week’s case, a full-on shout. Usually, I write about grief, recovery, and the ways we rebuild our lives after loss. That’s the cornerstone of what I do and the lens through which I filter nearly everything I see.

But sometimes, the Universe decides it’s time for a different kind of reminder.

This week, it’s been screaming at me: “You are good enough!”

And for once, I think I’m finally starting to believe it.

Seeing Yourself Clearly

In the PURPOSE Framework, the first step—Perceive Reality—is about seeing things as they are, not as we wish they were. Most of the time, we apply that to loss, healing, or facing hard truths. But what if the same principle applies to how we see ourselves?

Because here’s the reality: most of us are walking around with a distorted mirror. We see our mistakes bigger than they are, our accomplishments smaller than they deserve to be, and our worth as something we have to keep earning instead of something that already exists.

That’s the perfection trap in disguise: the constant feeling that we’re almost enough, but not quite.

The Universe has been trying to get my attention all week with little reminders that maybe, just maybe, I’ve been selling myself short… especially after writing about it.

The Voices That Showed Up

One of signs was a post shared by a friend from @JeffMoore_ that read:

“While you’re overthinking and doubting yourself, someone else is looking at you wondering how you do it all. Keep going.”

I stopped scrolling for a moment and let that one sink in. I’ve written about perseverance before, about showing up when it’s hard and continuing to move forward. This time, though, it hit a little differently in context to the rest of my week. We spend so much time analyzing whether we’re enough, while someone else is quietly admiring the very things we’re questioning.

It made me wonder how many times I’ve looked at someone else with quiet admiration, assuming they had it all figured out, when in reality, they were probably asking themselves the same questions I do.

Another post was less poetic but equally accurate. It read:

“Not everyone is going to think you are magnificent and magical. They’re wrong. &#$&^%… their loss.”

Crude? Maybe. But not wrong.

It’s a blunt reminder that our worth doesn’t fluctuate based on anyone else’s opinion. Not everyone is going to see your magic. That’s fine. They don’t need to. Your value isn’t a group project. You don’t need unanimous approval to be whole.

Learning to See What Others See

The third reminder came in a way I didn’t expect. I went out recently and someone called me handsome. Then another person added “sexy.”

Now, let’s be real—I’m almost 59, graying, gay, a double-widower, and yes, carrying more weight than I used to. For a long time, I held onto this belief that I wasn’t what anyone would call “attractive.” My body changed, my confidence took a hit, and I convinced myself that those qualities were mutually exclusive.

But lately, I’ve been noticing something new. Some people actually do find my type attractive. And I’m starting to realize—it’s not about being anyone else’s definition of desirable. It’s about finally owning the truth that I don’t need to fit into an outdated mold to be seen.

Maybe the Universe knew I needed to hear it from other voices until I could start saying it myself. Oh, don’t get me wrong… This one’s a hard one to get used to thinking.

What It Really Means to Believe You’re Enough

Believing you’re good enough doesn’t mean thinking you’re flawless. It means acknowledging that you are inherently worthy, even when you’re still learning, healing, or carrying the weight of the past.

It’s knowing that your imperfections don’t cancel out your value; they make you relatable, human, and real. The cracks are where your story shows through.

And when you stop apologizing for who you are, life feels lighter. You connect with people more deeply. You give others permission to be real, too.

That’s what I think the Universe was trying to tell me this week. It wasn’t just screaming “You are good enough!”—it was whispering, “You always were.”

Your Challenge This Week

The world spends a lot of time convincing us we’re not enough—too old, too heavy, too emotional, too much of something or not enough of something else. But what if, this week, you practiced seeing yourself through a clearer lens?

Ask yourself:

• What would happen if I stopped waiting for validation?
• What if I believed the compliments instead of deflecting them?
• What if I treated myself like someone who already is enough?

You don’t need the world to agree. You just need to stop disagreeing with yourself.

If you need help remembering that imperfection doesn’t mean inadequacy, I’ve got something for you.

It’s a short guide that will help you quiet that inner critic, redefine beauty, and see the strength that’s been there all along. Comment below and I’ll send it to you.

Because the Universe isn’t whispering anymore. It’s shouting.

And maybe it’s time you start believing it.