I recently got a bee in my bonnet. My life would only be complete if it had mini mustard spoons in it! eBay was a let down, the few places that had, don't post to South Africa, so I got creative. While on holiday in Nelspruit I discovered a gorgeous treasure trove shop that had exactly what I wanted. Well sort of... I just didn't want the mustard pot that came with the spoon. So I jotted down the manufacturer details, tracked them down online, emailed and heard absolutely nothing. A few days later, I called the landline only to be told the number didn't exist.

Hmmm.... I tried the cell number and yes, apart from Telkom trouble, they had mustard spoons but unfortunately I couldn't have them because I wasn't a retailer. I was like seriously, are you kidding me? However, they passed on the details of a retailer in Richards Bay who was willing to order on my behalf. The universe finally relented and that evening a friend visited, who just happened to be going to Joburg the next day and could collect the spoons for me. Hooray!

Not all stories work out quite as well. Years ago, my now husband and I, planned a two week holiday in Mauritius. I accidentally booked the air ticket with a shortened version of my lengthy maiden name, which unfortunately, did not match my passport. The flight was full so I had to cancel my ticket and go on the waiting list to get on the flight. At the same time, I had a really bad feeling about the trip, I tidied my cupboards, sorted out my affairs just in case, and eventually got my ticket. On the second day in Mauritius I was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery with a haemorrhaging ovary. It was quite scary.

The question is, how do we tell if an obstacle is a hint or the universe telling us to halt? Success is often equated with never giving up, with keeping going no matter what, like Thomas Edison discovering ten thousand ways that don't work. But sometimes walking away is the best solution. Courage is not always the quiet voice at the end of the day telling you to try again tomorrow, sometimes it is the quiet voice telling you to let go, to leave something be. We need to listen to both. That is our challenge.