Remona Aly
Friday 24 October 2025 Pause for Thought, BBC Radio 2When the universe doesn’t respond
Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2, Scott Mills Breakfast Show
When the universe doesn’t respond
Script:
I’m right in the middle of bingeing a reality dating show about single people in Korea who’ve never had a relationship – I, very sadly, and quite pathetically, can relate. These hapless singletons are the sweetest, most awkward souls you’ll ever meet. They freeze up, say the wrong things, and when they see someone they fancy walk towards them, they run in the opposite direction. Oh dear, Scott, this is resonating a bit too much with me.
But the most heart-wrenching, as well as inspiring part, was when a shy guy, who couldn’t even make eye contact with a girl he really liked, finally mustered up the courage to confess his feelings – even when he knew she didn’t return his affections.
Years ago, I threw every minute and every passion I had into a huge work project, but my efforts were met with coldness from a boss who looked for mistakes instead of propping me up. So many nights, I’ve woken up, rolled out my prayer mat and begged for my life to get unstuck, yet years later, I’m still in the same place. There was also a time I stepped out of my comfort zone and nervously wrote an email to a guy I hoped could be more than a friend, but he never even bothered to reply.
It can feel like the universe isn’t responding, even when I give it my all. But I reckon the ache of an unanswered prayer doesn’t mean I stop yearning. The disappointment of an unseen deed doesn’t mean I stop trying. And the hurt of an unrequited love doesn’t mean I stop hoping.
Rumi, the 13th century Persian Muslim poet and scholar said, “If you want the moon, do not hide from the night. If you want a rose, do not run from the thorns. If you want love, do not hide from yourself.”
That timid singleton from the TV show taught me not to hide, but to keep going, and to keep being true to myself, no matter the response. Although if someone I like walks towards me, maybe I should stop running in the opposite direction.