Trust the Divine Detour

Have you ever had a day where everything seemed to go wrong, only to discover it was all unfolding perfectly? My recent journey to London for a tooth extraction became an unexpected masterclass in divine timing and trust.

After struggling to find affordable dental care through years of financial challenges, I finally secured an NHS appointment that took a full year to materialize. The carefully planned trip quickly unraveled with a tube strike, late transportation, and ultimately a missed coach home. With limited resources, each unexpected turn increased my anxiety as I calculated the potential financial impact of each delay.

Then something remarkable happened. Missing my coach to Glastonbury led to an alternate route to Bridgwater—positioning me directly outside a late-night ASDA where I could purchase the soft foods I needed after my extraction. Had I caught my original coach, I would have arrived in Glastonbury with all shops closed, unable to get the nourishment required for healing.

The dental procedure itself was surprisingly comfortable, and I never needed the pain medication I'd worried about. When I finally arrived home and savored my yogurt that night,

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Chapters

• 0:00 Trip to London for Tooth Extraction
• 3:35 Dental History and Finding NHS Care
• 9:10 Hospital Visit and Transport Challenges
• 16:00 Racing Against Time to Catch Coach
• 21:15 Unexpected Detour and Getting Home
• 25:15 Reflections on Trust and Divine Timing

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

Lita, goddess of Growth, here I'm going to share a story with you about my trip to London this week to get my very first tooth extracted. Last year, poverty hit, I had to find an NHS dentist. I've not had a NHS dentist for a long while. An NHS dentist I've not had a NHS dentist for a long while. Years ago, I used to work for a health insurance company and I had dental insurance and I was able to go privately and get my payments subsidised. When I left that company, I continued the private practice because I quite liked them. That was up until really 2020, when I decided to sell my apartment and get this home that I'm in now in Somerset. I was in Royal Tunbridge Wells at the time and I'm now in Somerset. So that's the journey and I'm now in Somerset. So that's the journey.

Speaker 1: 1:08

When I came to Somerset that year, my tooth that the private dentist worked on chipped. I was still in work, so I found a local dentist. Apparently, in this area there aren't any NHS dentists at all, not even for children. When I got to the dentist, they barely wanted to see me because of the COVID crisis that was going on the pandemic. I paid the fee to be seen and looked at, only to be told well, we're not doing any kind of treatment right now. Your tooth looks fine, go to boots and get the temporary filling. Yeah, I had to pay for that guidance. I purchased the temporary filling, which is still in my cabinet, unopened, actually x amount of years later, and after the probably the first year or so, I went back to the dentist the same one and a kind of patch was pulled on my tooth. I thought permanent, but it chipped away again not long after. So I vowed just to let it go until I could raise some funds to find a dentist that I could be confident in.

Speaker 1: 2:24

Well, poverty struck 2022-2023, and it was last year, finally 2024, that I decided I needed to find an NHS dentist because I was really worried that I was going to end up with some kind of root canal or so. I found the dentist and they didn't have any appreciation at all, in my opinion, to the fact that I was living on the poverty line. I was not able to claim benefits in full because I have a mortgage and so forth. So I had gone self-employed at that point and they did support me with self-employment, but the idea was that I had to earn a certain I think they called it an income barrier, I don't remember, I cannot remember the term of it. So I was self-employed but because I wasn't earning enough for their measure, they weren't giving me money. But I could go to see a NHS dentist. So that was fine.

Speaker 1: 3:26

I got to the dentist and it's two appointments, so the first one, they told me my tooth was fine. They put a temporary filling on and told me to go back to return. I went again and they weren't able to see me. It was just another checkup. But they told me that one of my teeth that I filled many years before 10 years or so before was apparently needed to be removed. So they were going to refer me to a dental hospital. Fine, at the time I was told the dental hospital would be free, I suppose because of my circumstances at the time. But it wasn't long before I managed to get myself some part-time work to supplement my income, my self-employed income. So I sat waiting for the referral.

Speaker 1: 4:21

It took a year for my appointment to come and I called and or they called. I called to confirm the details and at that time I was asked am I earning? I said yes and they said well, it's going to cost you 75 pounds and I think 30 or 80. I was like wow. When I joined the NHS last year, they told me it would be free. Okay, so my circumstances have changed and I need to pay. Fine.

Speaker 1: 4:52

So close to the time I booked the coach, I arranged a taxi because I needed a little bit of a a escort, a drive from the village to Glastonbury, and I heard that there was a train strike tube strike. Now I remember those from a child. I was born and raised in London, so I know what it is when there is a train strike and London has so many straight roads right when you get to London, what I remember as a child most of the stations you could literally walk them. The stops you could literally walk them. They're not far from each other at all. Depending on where you're going. You could probably walk quite a distance to get to your location quite easily, but the tube makes things so much easier to get around.

Speaker 1: 5:47

I had no idea a train strike was coming, but by the time I found out my coat had already been booked. Plus, it took me a year to get this appointment. I didn't have the funds to go privately to get it removed. So I wanted to keep the appointment in place to get this tooth removed, booked the coach. The taxi driver told me he would be here to collect me at 6.40pm. He didn't arrive until about 6.50pm. I live in a location that doesn't have any like resources where you can get cash out, or so I needed to get him cash, I think, because he was late. He told me you know, don't worry, just pay me later, etc.

Speaker 1: 6:34

Got on the coach. We got to London probably 30 minutes late my appointment that I booked. I always ask for something later to allow myself time to shop around and take time. It was a really good thing that I had asked for the appointment time, as I did, because I found I barely made the appointment. In fact, I was 10 minutes late to the appointment due to having to take buses and being in traffic, but they were accommodating. I went and I got my tooth removed and that was an experience in my in itself. It was nothing as to what I was expecting. They were very kind and even till date I have not taken any pain relief. Also, I haven't had a need to do so. So I'm really pleased with the experience. Actually, they were really kind. Um yeah, so I'm going to talk to you about the journey back.

Speaker 1: 7:35

I went to visit my aunt who is in hospital and I thought I couldn't go that long distance and not see her. I left and I was talking to one of the consultants on the way back and he suggested that I go to a tube station, totally forgetting about the strike. I followed his guidance, which turned out to be a blessing because it meant that I was able, even though I found that the train station was closed. I was able to go to a bus stop which was before the bus stop he was left at, so I had more of an opportunity to get on a seat. So that was one thing.

Speaker 1: 8:17

Then I got to Paddington and when I got to Paddington, the train staff one of them said that the train to Hammersmith was working. I thought brilliant, let me go to that trains. You know the platform now, if anyone knows Paddington there's it's quite a big station. Long walks got to the platform. I was there 15 or so minutes. At that point I was thinking something's not right here. I don't know, I just don't know. And just as I was there 15 or so minutes, at that point, I was thinking something's not right here. I don't know, I just don't know. And just as I was thinking that someone came downstairs one of the staff, she was smiling Okay, everyone, there's no more trains. There's no more trains. I thought, oh no. Now, just to note, I was aiming to get my coach from Hammersmith station that was leaving at 18.45. I'd given myself a two hour buffer to get back there, knowing that there was a strike. So I left the station.

Speaker 1: 9:20

I felt I still had enough time, but I was a bit harassed. I still had enough time, but I was a bit harassed, and I made my way to pass St Mary's Hospital and the bus stop. Now, on the bus stop they had the number 27 bus 7 bus and other buses, and in the old days they created these guides as to how long the bus journey would be, as to how long the bus journey would be. So I decided on the number 27 would be the best bus for me. The first one came. It was full. I had a little case with me. I thought I'm older. Now I'm suffering with hormones. I can't go on that bus. I'm really sorry. It's only 12 minutes. I've got enough time. I'll wait for the next bus to come, which is what I did. I was so hot, it rained quite a bit in London and I was happy to be there in short sleeves at this point.

Speaker 1: 10:13

The bus arrived. I thought brilliant, I will make it. I had a voucher that I'd been sent as a gift that I could use in M&S. I had a whole plan that I was going to get butter and some items, that I received the list because my tooth had been extracted. I received the list of soft foods that I should have at least for the night, etc. Whilst I was going through healing. So I thought perfect, I will get to Hammersmith in time to go to Hammersmith, the M&S in Hammersmith, and catch the coach.

Speaker 1: 10:47

I was sitting on the bus and I was using Google to guide me as to where I was, because unfortunately, I was not able to get a seat that was facing the driver's view and I'm noticing on my app that it says I will be there in 15 minutes. You could walk in eight minutes, but in my periphery all I could see is the same location. I could not see any signs that I was close to Hammersmith, and this was going on near 20 minutes. There was someone that sat next to me and, as she was doing, she says, oh, it looks as if you know you're worried about getting somewhere. I said, yeah, I don't understand. It says 15 minutes and eight minutes. I've been saying that for a while. I can see that we're moving. I don't understand what's going on. She says where are you going to? I said I'm going to Hammersmith. She says, oh dear, that's a long way away from here. I was like it's a long way. She says yes, it's going to be about 40 minutes. 40 minutes.

Speaker 1: 11:46

This was after I think it was after five, must have been after five going on six, remember the coach was 6 45. Then I thought, okay, I should still make it. I won't be able to shop, but at least I'll get on the coach right. And this journey's going on and I'm saying to myself no, something's not right. I finally managed to stand up, took my case, stood in the alleyway, the aisle, and when I stood up I noticed that there was hardly any traffic in front of the bus and everything was like on a go slow. I'm looking at my clock and by this time it was about 6.30 and I could not see Hammersmith. So I knew I had a real problem, a real issue.

Speaker 1: 12:44

So I went up to the driver finally what's happening? Like I can see that the road is clear. What's going on? How far are we from Hammersmith? Oh, we're only two stops away. I'm thinking two stops doesn't take long. Remember I grew up in London. I said so what? Can I walk it from here to there? Like what's going on? He says no, I wouldn't advise you to walk it because you have to. Well, he explained, and I understood Hammersmith was close but it was like a circular anyhow.

Speaker 1: 13:14

So I stood there waiting and the time's going. Before I knew it was 40, 6, 40. I could not believe it. In fact, roll back the clock. I had called the coach company but I was too late. When I called they said their offices closed at five o'clock. So I had no one to call the coach driver to say I was running late. But in my mind I remembered that in the morning they were half hour late. In fact we got there, I think, about five past 10, 55 and we should have got to Hammersmith about 10 20. So we were a good time late, which they apologized for, and in my mind if they were late in the morning they would know people would be late in the evening. Allow us at least a 10-15 minute buffer. That's in my mind anyhow.

Speaker 1: 14:07

So I'm with this bus driver and he's asking me questions that I'm finding a bit irritating right now because his, his questions, aren't helping me get to the bus station in the time that I need to be there. Bless him, he was really. In fact. We got to the bus station and I could see my coach company station. So I was like, at this point, thank you, thank you, thank you. And he told me bless you, you know, hope everything goes well, blah, blah, blah. He allowed me to get off before the stop. He was supposed to put me off and I rushed down to this coach company and saw the driver, who is a friend of my mother's, and I was like hi, I'm so happy that you've waited, thank you so much. And oh, my goodness, I was really worried, I was going to miss it. And he's like oh, you have missed it, it's already gone. It's like what? And a few expletives, by the way, he said yes, they went five minutes ago. I was like what am I going to do now? Now I will tell you.

Speaker 1: 15:16

I left home on a very, very limited budget and the funny thing about it is I was speaking to my sister and I was saying everything should be fine if everything goes on time. If anything goes wrong then I'm in trouble. So, anyhow, long story short, he told me I could go on his coach, that he was driving, which wasn't going to Glastonbury, it was going to Bridgewater, and I said well, how is that going to work? So Bridgewater is half hour from where I live. I called the taxi driver. He was so accommodating, not a worry, he will pick me up from Bridgewater, etc. And at that point I had no time to go shopping or anything. And we were talking, the driver and I. Just outside there was a woman with him. She had her notepad and I could see my surname, so evidently the driver had given my name as someone that hadn't turned up for their seat. And the coach driver explained to me that apparently they get penalized if they're on the stand too long by TFL. Noting, of course, tfl was striking that day. I was thankful another couple same thing had happened to them.

Speaker 1: 16:37

So we all got onto this coach together and it's interesting because I don't know about this coach, this is the first time I'm hearing about it before we got on. I was telling him I really was supposed to get butter and a few things yogurts and so so that I could have something to eat. I said I've had my tooth removed. He says yes, I can see that because I had the gauze in my mouth still. And he said, not to worry, I don't promise, but usually when we drive to Bridgewater there are times we can get there for 9.45 and it's basically outside an ASDA and the ASDA should be open. I said that's amazing. That would have given the driver for the taxi, who was only expecting a five minute journey to take me home from Glastonbury, who now is leaving his home to meet me, half hour of the you know journey to pick me up and then take me back. You know, it was really kind of him to agree to do so. That would give me enough time to get a shop and be outside foot with him on time.

Speaker 1: 17:46

So I had a voucher, a gift sent to me Love to Shop and with that you can convert vouchers to purchase gift vouchers from the store. And I'm telling you, financial Times means that I am using all kinds of resources to shop at the moment and basically we managed to get to Bridgewater outside Asda for 9.50. I wrote to the driver the taxi driver to let him know I'm here, it's 9.50, and just to let you know that I'm here, and he messaged okay, 10 minutes. I misread that, thinking he was coming 10 minutes past 10, but it is what it is got into. The store converted 10 pounds from the voucher to get the asda voucher.

Speaker 1: 18:43

By the time I got to the counter, the counter said the my app said that the voucher would be delivered on the 17th. It was the 10th, so I had to use money. I really didn't have basically to pay for the goods, but I received a message from the taxi driver where are you? This is about 10 o'clock or two minutes past 10, and at which point I realized he was already outside Asda so I had to just pay up and get out of there. By the time I got into his car, I received another message to tell me oh, your voucher is available now. It was too late then, but the blessing was that actually we got home.

Speaker 1: 19:31

I got home, he was able to drop me outside and everything, and the journey was much faster by coach than it usually is going to Glastonbury. Plus, I had food to eat. I hadn't actually eaten since before I left seven o'clock that morning right up until I returned home after 10 that evening, and I had the yogurts, the bananas, like the soft food I was guided to purchase. I sat there and I was just so grateful, so so grateful, like so many blessings throughout the day many I suppose I haven't really spoken about. But yeah, and I think that's been the message really, why I've decided that I need to hold off on astrology readings and all of that for the time being is that I need to be in a more of a space where I can listen to my prompts. Listen to my prompts so that I can be able to tap into the next step.

Speaker 1: 20:39

Even on the bus, I had a feeling it wasn't over. I knew that the time had gone and the likelihood was that the coach has gone, but I did not get into that space of thinking I'm not going to get home. I still had this thought I just needed to get to the platform and I'll get home. And I did get home. And I did get home. And I will tell you this had I got on the coach to get to Glastonbury, I would not have had the right food to eat that supported the fact that I had my tooth extracted, because most of the shops were closed of the shops were closed. The detour to Bridgewater meant that I could go into Asda, the only shop open, and I learned that apparently it's open till 11 o'clock. So this is now a new thing that I could do in the future if I travel to London just take that coat and just pay extra for a taxi so that I can get home with some shopping. Taxi so that I can get home with some shopping.

Speaker 1: 21:52

Every disappointment covers a blessing, they say, and I experienced it. I was so emotional at the end of it, actually, and now, looking back, I know that I was just being guided to just take it easy. Don't rush, take your time, because everything was in time. As I say, I've had my tooth extracted. I've not had any pain. I forgot my pain relief at home because I was guided to take it and I forgot it. It came to my mind when I got to London. I wanted to get something for my aunt and I managed to. It came to my mind when I got to London. I wanted to get something for my aunt and I managed to pick up pain relief there. Till now, the box remains unopened. I didn't need it, still don't need it Trust and faith and I'd love to be able to say that I will look at the many experiences, especially over the last couple of years, and have more trust in the process.

Speaker 1: 22:54

One day is good, one day not so good. But yeah, I'm okay, you're okay. So now we're taking time to listen to what life is telling us, not what we think. It may not look right on the surface, but overall, everything is going exactly to plan, the divine plan, and working in our favour. Even though it might not look like it in the moment, it's all working in our favour. So I hope you got some kind of inspiration from the story and I suppose there'll be things that you'll get from it that you know. Everyone will get from it what they need to. I've shared the story a couple of times because I am in awe and I need to take myself out of the stories and put myself in it and congratulate myself, take pride in the fact that on many levels, I listened.

Speaker 1: 23:55

There were times in that process that I was getting frustrated and I wanted to push that bus along. I learned later, much later, through the taxi driver actually that the bus driver who I was saying was much later through. The taxi driver actually that the bus driver who I was saying was going on a go slow. It wasn't him. Apparently, there's a new directive where cars can only drive 20 miles per hour. I was bemused.

Speaker 1: 24:19

I was on a bus and I could see crowds of cyclists passing, buses and cars and so forth. They were moving faster than the vehicles and there was a time I had said to him you know, this journey should have taken, I think, 23 minutes, like it's nearly an hour. What's going on? And he said for him to go faster, he'll need a police escort. I thought he was being funny, but it's a good thing. I kept my cool and I was just calm and I said, oh, just breathe. And it's really good that I didn't bounce out, because what it meant was he was in a space of wanting to assist me to get there the best as he could. He didn't have to let me out when he did.

Speaker 1: 25:10

But yeah, maybe I will get to a stage where, when scenarios happen like that, I can fully sit down and just trust and just not get concerned at all. Maybe that's the next step of the journey. I am not there yet and it's nice when you look in hindsight to say you know it was all being looked out for you, it was all you didn't have to worry. You know, I think when and one might say this is an excuse, but when your resources are low, you're you're more hyper vigilant because you know you cannot afford for things to go wrong because there's a financial implication. And in missing the first coach, yes, I ended up paying more for a taxi. And in not preparing a voucher or so for ASDA, I ended up paying money from my card which wasn't in the budget, things like that. But I'm learning, I'm getting there. I'm still in awe, I'm still very thankful, I'm still like wow, and I'm telling you, when I was eating my yogurt that night, 10th of September, I was in so much awe. The yogurt was one of the nicest things I've eaten. So thankful, so grateful, so much kindness, so much support. Taxi driver was very supportive, everything you know. So I hope this has been inspirational. It's my journey to London to get my tooth extracted. And, yeah, trust in the process. Trust.

Speaker 1: 27:11

You've been listening to Lita, goddess of Growth, today. Thank you for joining me. Please do put your comments below. I am working on my foundation. I would like to offer one-on-one consultations to anyone that's going through change. We can take some time out to discuss and reflect on the time and the season. Let me save you some time as you work through your time, your season, and we'll be looking at strategies for success. This is not about goal setting, because ultimately, there's no point setting a goal until you understand that the season you are in I'm going through change, you're going through change. I'll be here to support you. Do connect. You've got my details on my hot page Lita, goddess of Growth. If you look for it, you should be able to find it and it will be on the podcast. Thank you for joining me.