What the Universe Really Is — A Story of a Dog, Self-Belief, and Human Potential

 

What the Universe Really Is — A Story of a Dog, Self-Belief, and Human Potential

When most of us talk about universal principles, we imagine something mystical — laws of attraction, cosmic forces, or invisible energies that guide success and failure. But what if that’s only part of the story? What if the universe is less about mysticism and more about how you think, how you behave, and most importantly, what you believe about yourself?

A couple of weeks ago, I was on a call with Tony Robbins — a genuinely eye-opening experience. He talked about four archetypes that each of us carries within: the Warrior, the Magician, the Lover, and the Sovereign. At first, I thought, “That’s interesting,” but I didn’t fully connect with it. But then something happened — something real — that brought those ideas into sharp focus.

Meet Ned — The Dog Who Taught Me the Universe Isn’t Out There

A while back I bought a sheepdog pup. Beautiful markings — classic black and tan Kelpie — but something was off. He wasn’t affectionate. He stayed distant. Nothing seemed to excite him. At first glance, he looked capable … but there was no spark.

We started a fencing job together — six weeks out in the yard. Day after day, this dog could barely climb into the ute. He lacked confidence, skills, and direction. He wasn’t useless — just unconnected, like talent without purpose.

But here’s where the interesting part begins.

Each day, we’d take a break and go for a swim. At first, Ned hated the water. Terrified of it. I’d coax him in, and eventually he’d jump — and I’d catch him. Gradually his attitude shifted. Not suddenly — just quietly, steadily — from fear to curiosity.

Each evening, I’d tie him up, pat him, and say goodnight. And early each morning, he’d greet me with a bit of excitement — a hint of anticipation.

One day we stumbled on a mob of goats — about thirty head. On a whim, I put Ned near the round and said, “Righto, your turn.” He didn’t hesitate. In he went, gathered them up, and walked them back. Not perfectly. Not fast. But with purpose. And he looked absolutely happy doing it.

That day we loaded the goats onto the truck, sold them, and I gave Ned a big pat — changed his muddy coat, honored his effort. Something fundamental had shifted in that dog.

He wasn’t just pretty anymore. He was capable. Brave. Curious. Alive.

And here’s the real kicker: when we put him near sheep — something he never really knew how to work — he instinctively figured it out. He realised he was a sheepdog. He just hadn’t known it before.

So What Does This Have to Do with the Universe?

Everything.

See, before this, I was like that dog. I thought the universe was something out there — laws of attraction, cosmic forces, mystical alignment — something separate from who I actually am. And I’d get frustrated. Plans fell apart. I’d question why things weren’t working. Sound familiar?

But what I learned — and what watching Ned taught me — is this:

The universe isn’t external. The universe is the sum of how you think, behave, and see yourself.

If your inner Lover — the part that feels beauty, connection, acceptance — is dormant or scared, it doesn’t matter how strong your Warrior is, how tactical your Magician is, or how clear your Sovereign is about where you’re going. You end up stagnant, stuck, or disconnecting from your own potential.

Ned didn’t believe in himself. Not at first. So he acted tired, disinterested, disengaged. He became exactly what he believed himself to be: a mediocre dog with a pretty coat.

But when he learned trust, encouragement, and acceptance — when he felt that he was capable — everything changed.

The Four Archetypes — Internal, Not External

Here’s how I now see the universe:

• The Sovereign — your identity. Your sense of direction, values, and purpose. Where you’re going and why.

• The Warrior — your drive, discipline, and resilience. Gets you into action. Keeps you committed.

• The Magician — your strategy, wisdom, adaptability, problem-solver.

• The Lover — your ability to give and receive love, compassion, joy, creativity — how you relate to yourself and others.

Most of us talk a lot about the Warrior, maybe the Magician. The Sovereign might get some attention. But the Lover? That’s the part most of us ignore when life gets rough.

We forget to feed it. We neglect it. And then — like Ned — we become hesitant, half-engaged, or apathetic. But a spark of love — acceptance, belief, kindness — can unlock an entire shift.

Your Universe Is Not “Out There” — It’s Within You

I don’t believe the universe is a mystical force floating in space. I believe it’s the sum of your internal states and how those states express through your beliefs, actions, and results.

If you treat yourself harshly — if you’re constantly berating your mistakes, underestimating your ability, or dismissing your potential — then your universe will match you. You’ll get results that reflect that inner dialogue.

But if you can learn to foster belief, curiosity, courage, and love — even in small doses — your universe changes.

You become the dog who happily jumps into water. You become the person who steps into your own potential. You become someone who knows what they are capable of.

So What’s the Real Universal Principle?

Not attraction.
Not fate.
Not cosmic alignment.

It’s belief in action — the way you see yourself, the way you nurture yourself, the way you move forward even when you’re afraid.

And once you activate that internal Lover — that part of you that says “Yes, I matter — and I am worthy” — everything else starts to align.

Because you’re no longer fighting against yourself.
You’re fighting with yourself.

And that — that is the real universal principle I’ve come to believe.