I was in Iceland earlier this fall with my husband, and we decided to check out a large glacier – Langjökull – that powers the island and supplies everyone with drinking water. Needless to say, it’s cold inside a glacier, and while we were quite prepared with warm coats, hats, and sunglasses, I had no gloves.

We tried to buy some at the hotel reception upon seeing hats and scarves for sale. Alas, no gloves! So we embarked towards the innards of the glacier ready to jump on the biggest truck I have ever seen outside NASA.

There were a few yards of gravel between the hotel entrance and the truck. We step outside and what do you know? A black, polartec glove, size 7, was laying right there, in front of me, either forgotten, or simply waiting to be found…

My husband and I look at each other and laugh. The world is wonderful like that: 50{9885c0486e5a2dcd1a1edbf76fce71054dca1b0da4585463b276be294d4d00e8} of my problem was suddenly solved! I pick the glove and walk towards the truck, checking the ground with the corner of my eye, hoping for another glove. Any color, any size would do, as I didn’t feel particularly picky.

The mega truck dumps us at the base camp of the glacier and not surprisingly, they have gear there up to the rafters. I borrow a pair of gloves and we go two miles inside the glacier for a magical little adventure. And you know what I noticed? That although I was now in possession of three gloves, I only used one glove anyway, busy tapping on the screen of my phone, zooming in and out taking pictures, or simply holding onto my husband.

So, in hindsight, the universe didn’t solve 50{9885c0486e5a2dcd1a1edbf76fce71054dca1b0da4585463b276be294d4d00e8} of my problem.The universe solved 100{9885c0486e5a2dcd1a1edbf76fce71054dca1b0da4585463b276be294d4d00e8} of a problem that was framed erroneously at the onset. More specifically, the universe delivered EXACTLY what was needed, and promptly. It was SO obvious, that glove was screaming at me.

Asking for “a pair of gloves” is intuitive. Asking for“a glove for my left hand so I can keep my other hand free” is –while 100{9885c0486e5a2dcd1a1edbf76fce71054dca1b0da4585463b276be294d4d00e8} accurate – weird.

Who would think of asking that? Well, not most people. I know that you are not most people though, and as the year is ending, it might serve all of us well to remember that the Universe always knows. We are certain of what we need, we think that we are the supreme authority on everything “us”, and in truth, we are scientifically proven to be less accurate predictors of our own needs that complete strangers.

Here is one of my wishes for you in the New Year: that you trust the Universe. Let’s always take our own assumptions with a grain of salt, appreciating what we do receive, and looking at it from more than one perspective. Equally important, perhaps in 2017 we would be well advised to spend more time refining the question, and spend less time chasing the deliverable.

Here’s to insights! May the world send all the gloves you need, and may you have the foresight to see it so.