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confidence in Swami, she decided to take his word to heart and do the best she could to search out a program. She applied to colleges that had a Master’s Degree in health administration, one of them being Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She even visited Cornell. She had never taken such a long trip by herself, and it took courage.
It was the last moment prior to the school year, and Judy hadn’t received a response from any school. She and I discussed the situation just before Sharon and I were to leave for a Sai conference in Arizona. Gazing out the window, confused and dejected, Judy said, “What does Swami mean? Where is Swami now?”
Perhaps, we decided, Swami meant that she should take a medically related curriculum like social work, and then lean toward management in that field. Then, with a reassuring hug, off Sharon and I went to the conference.
Upon arriving at the conference campgrounds we were told that Judy had just called. We immediately called her to hear with excitement, “Dad, right aer you le I got a leer from Cornell. I’ve been accepted into a management curriculum. Should I accept?”
“Should you accept?” we both blurted out. “By all means, sweet daughter, please accept.” We were acutely aware of how Swami waits until the last minute to test patience, faith, and surrender.
Judy entered the course, did fine, and two years later graduated with good grades. She was very happy. She felt that Swami would quickly give her a great job and that she would do well in management.
That wasn’t the end of this lesson in dharma, nor of the challenge to surrender her ego. Remember that dharma opens us up to the process of purification. It required a full year of leing go of her ego. Judy sent out numerous resumes in a frustrating aempt to find work. Finally she heard from a large local hospital that they might be interested in her. However, she
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