Michelle Gordon's Blog, page 12

All Aboard the Hogwarts Express!

Greetings Muggle!

I had planned to do a blog series about my recent trip to the US and Canada this summer, and then a friend and I challenged each other to doing the 30 day blog challenge again (I did it in January 2015, and it was fun!) so it seemed like a good idea to do the series throughout September. I had also planned to do the series in chronological order, but because I am a bit (ahem) of a Harry Potter fan, and it’s the 1st September, it only seemed right to blog about our trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in LA.

I visited the theme park in Florida in 2012, so I had an idea of what to expect, but it was still so very magical! There were new features in the LA park, which were a lot of fun! Despite her reluctance to go, Mum had a great time too!

This will mostly be a photo post, but I also want to share some of the things that happened. If you have yet to visit and you plan to soon, feel free to skip this post, I don’t want to give too much away!

The conductor of the Hogwarts Express was really quite chatty, and when I mentioned I wrote books he suggested I check out books by Newt Scamander… I really love how everyone who works at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in character! I also love the soundtrack music being piped out throughout, it really does make you feel like you’re strolling through Hogsmeade on a day trip from Hogwarts. Speaking of Hogsmeade, I love Honeydukes, the Owl Post and the wonky chimneys!

We went on the Hogwarts ride, and Mum didn’t like it at all! I loved it, and found that if you don’t mind skipping the stuff inside the castle, and you’re riding alone with no stuff, you can skip the queue and basically go straight on the ride! While Mum watched the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons perform, I went on the ride another three times in quick succession!

We of course had to have Butterbeer in the Hog’s Head. The frozen version is still so much better than the drink version! (Take note, Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour!)

There’s so much more to share from our magical day, and soooo many more photos, so I will do another part to this post in the next few days!

Happy September 1st!

 

 

 

A Quest of New Beginnings

We are all on a quest. To find ourselves, to find our purpose, to find out why we are here right now. Inspired by the book called Quest, by Denise Linn and Meadow Linn, I went on a short quest in nature today, with the intention to find peace and stillness within as I get ready to set off on a whole new chapter of my life.

I had no expectations for the quest, other than to walk my favourite route through the woods, and to sit in my favourite spot overlooking the river. But along the way, I received so many messages from spirit that I felt the need to share them here, as they may help other Earth Angels who are transitioning from one chapter to another in their lives.

Before setting off, I was visited by a blue-green dragonfly, who actually came inside the house, and refused to be ignored. I looked up the meaning of the dragonfly, and the description that jumped out at me was this:

When this spirit animal shows up in your life you may be called to transform and evolve. Symbol of metamorphosis and transformation, it inspires those who have it as a totem to bring about the changes needed in their lives in order to go to reach their full potential.

When this spirit animal shows up in your life, it’s an indication that it’s time for change. Just like the dragonfly changes colors as it matures, you may be called to live and experience yourself differently. Stay open to the enfoldment of your personal journey.

(description from this website)

This is most definitely a time of transformation for me, and it’s also time to do what I need to do to reach my full potential. I set off on my favourite loop, and when I reached my favourite place overlooking the river, I noticed the sound of crickets. In all the times I have visited that spot, I have never noticed crickets there before. Usually, they’re quite well hidden, but there were several just wandering around the rocks, so I got this shot of one.

When I looked up the meaning of the cricket, this description certainly fit!

You are an excellent communicator, love to walk your talk and are often vegetarian. You understand the power of music and will often have a career that uses music as a form of healing. You are a whirlwind of action, a blur of movement, and always on the go. You seem to have a hard time staying in one place and are always jumping off in one direction or another.

(description from this website)

In case you were wondering, this is the view from my favourite spot:

 

On my way back up the hill, I happened to look back and noticed a spider web shimmering in the sun, it was precariously situated between the tree branch and some brambles, and I only managed to take this photo before the wind picked up and moved it out of the sunbeam. I love how the sunlight made parts of the web look purple.

I looked up the meaning of a spider, and this description made a lot of sense:

Just as the Spider weaves a web, so too must we weave our own lives. The Spider serves as a reminder that our choices construct our lives. When the Spider appears to us, it is a message to be mindful of the choices we are making.

(description from this website)

On the final stretch of my quest, a rabbit crossed my path, and I realised how lucky I was to have seen so much amazing wildlife in the last few years. I of course looked up the meaning of the rabbit, and found the following:

Symbolic rabbit meanings deal primarily with abundance, comfort, and vulnerability. These animals are about body and soul. Consider the amazing perceptive abilities of the rabbit. Radar-like hearing and near 360 degree vision speak of sensitivity.The rabbit reminds us to examine and utilize the tools we have within ourselves. Although our instincts are innate, they also need nurturing and development.

(description from this website)

As a token of my quest, I saw this feather hanging from a branch, and took it with me to remind me that I need to reconnect with myself as often as possible, and to spend as much time as possible in nature.

I plan to go on more quests in the future, to get quiet enough to hear my guides, and to find the peace I used to feel when I was a child. I spend so much time on my computer or phone, that it’s rare to just spend time outside with a real book, just observing the creatures around me.

If you are also going through a transitional period right now, know that you are most certainly not alone, and if you need guidance, all you need to do is go outside, and observe the natural life around you. You are beautiful, you are strong, and you will get through this. I promise.

Spirit Warrior – Dirk Terpstra

Welcome to the latest post in the Spirit Warrior Series in which I am featuring Spirit Warriors I know. These are men who have made the transition from very ‘normal’ careers to a more spiritual calling. Many men are making this shift from the physical to the meta-physical, and they have allowed me to share their stories with you, in the hopes it will inspire and uplift you, especially if you are thinking of doing the same thing.

The Spirit Warrior I would like to introduce you to is Dirk Terpstra. I was fortunate to meet Dirk in Vancouver, BC, whilst travelling this summer.

MG: Dirk, can you tell everyone what it was you used to do?

Spirit Warrior: Thank you Michelle, for inviting me to your inspiring Spirit Warrior Series. I feel blessed to have met you in Vancouver.

I grew up in a small town in The Netherlands, not far from Amsterdam. I worked for American Express and was responsible for the corporate divisions in The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. It was fun work to do, but also quite demanding and stressful.

MG: What is it you currently do?

Spirit Warrior: In the winter of 2001, I left the company and moved with my wife and two young boys to a rural area in the mountains of British Columbia, Canada. I currently host an online platform called ‘Soul Love’ for which I interview people who inspire me – authors, spiritual teachers and scientists. I am trained at the scientific Institute of HeartMath in California and I coach individuals and organizations to live a more heart-based life. I explain the amazing science of our hearts and help them understand how we can regulate our personal stress levels, which has an immediate impact on our relationships, performance and outlook on life. 

MG: What inspired the shift?

Spirit Warrior: During my corporate career, I didn’t find the fulfilment in my work that I was hoping for. I needed a new adventure and a new challenge in order to make a deeper connection with my deepest wishes and desires. 

MG: Were there financial implications?

Spirit Warrior: There were definitely financial implications since I was making a lot of money. I voluntarily left this career behind me and chose for living a more adventurous and meaningful life without any idea what I wanted to do. I had no work, no income and a lot of fun. It took me a few years in nature and losing three dear family members (my dad, brother and mum) to find my true purpose. What a spiritual journey!

MG: Did you get support from your friends and family?

Spirit Warrior: Our friends and family were not too happy that we left the country. They didn’t ask for this change. But fortunately, there are always people who keep loving you and supporting you, no matter what happens. 

MG: Have you ever been judged, criticised or ridiculed for your decision to transition from the physical to meta-physical?

Spirit Warrior: You know Michelle, there are always people who judge or criticize us, but to be honest, those people don’t interest me. I strongly feel that when my decisions and actions are coming from my heart, I am unstoppable and nothing else bothers me. 

MG: Have you ever considered returning to your old career?

Spirit Warrior: No! I am actually surprised that I have never really looked back. I must have found my purpose. 

MG: What gets you through the tough moments?

Spirit Warrior: Gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for and that brings everything in perspective. I have also learned that the moments we don’t like, are the moments we learn and grow the most. I now also work with people who suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). But did you know that most people have never heard of PTG? It stands for: Post Traumatic Growth. Look at the most inspiring teachers in the world and notice what they’ve often been going through.

MG: Do you have any advice for other Spirit Warriors who are making the same transition, or are thinking of doing so?

Spirit Warrior: Picture yourself, being 80 or so and sitting on your front porch looking back on life. Did you do everything you wanted to do? Do you feel completely fulfilled or do you have some regrets? Write down these regrets and do them now! No matter what it takes!

MG: Can you share you favourite spiritual practice with us?

Spirit Warrior: Spending time in nature. Just being. We often forget that we ARE nature, and we need to connect with who we are, at the most fundamental level, in order to stay balanced and whole.

MG: Are you more in tune with your inner self? With your intuition?

Spirit Warrior: Yes, very much so. I used to be that when I was a young child but over the years I lost that. I slowly drifted away from that little child inside, because I listened too much to others and what they thought was important (for me). By slowing down, going through some difficult times, and following my passion, I feel restored and whole again.

MG: Do you express your feelings and emotions more easily?

Spirit Warrior: Yes, I believe that I am more present now and easily recognize what I feel. With my new circle of friends it’s easier to express these feelings. I usually don’t pay much attention to my emotions. They come and go. 

MG: What has been the best and worst parts of making this shift?

Spirit Warrior: The best thing is that I DID it, despite my initial doubts. I fell in love, why would I stop that feeling? There’s nothing bad really about making this move. There’s nothing bad in life. All events are perfect lessons that make me more experienced, wiser and more resilient.

MG: If you could go back in time and change the past, would you choose to do it all over again?

Spirit Warrior: I would never change anything of my past. And YES, I would make this decision again tomorrow. I can’t tell you enough how much it made me feel come alive. This aliveness is crucial in life. That’s why we’re here.

MG: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Spirit Warrior: Follow your aliveness, no matter what others might think or say. When something feels good in your heart, trust it and go for it. Your heart is always right. It’s who you are.

MG: Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, and with my readers!

If you would like to check out what Dirk is doing his links are below. Thank you for reading, there will be another Spirit Warrior featured very soon!

Interviews: SoulLove.com

Website: DirkTerpstra.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mysupersouls

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I won’t leave it so long next time…

You know when you haven’t spoken to someone for so long, and so much has happened, that you don’t know where to begin? Yeah, that’s how I feel right now. I have not blogged since May, and it feels like the longer I leave it, the harder it gets to know where to start!

So, here is an update of where I currently am:

First of all, apologies for my blog absence, I have been away in America and Canada, and I had so many amazing experiences, that I plan to create a blog series about it all, including some of the awesome photos I took of the places we went to. I’m not quite ready to begin the series, because I literally took thousands of photos, and I have been so busy with work since I got back, that I haven’t even had a chance to look at them yet! But it will be coming soon, I promise. I did post some of my photos on Instagram along the journey, you can see them here.

I’ve also set myself some deadlines for the remaining classes in the Earth Angel Training Academy, my apologies to those waiting for the four final classes, they will be published by the end of August. I appreciate your patience!

While away I began writing the 8th book in the Earth Angel series, and I intend to continue, and publish it in early 2017. The 7th book will be out by November 2016, I will post more updates soon!

I am working on an Earth Angel series for Children, but I have no publishing dates set for that yet.

I am formatting the rest of the Visionary Collection for Smashwords, which means then that all of my books will be available on all the possible platforms.

I have an exciting new project to help Indie Authors and creators, and I will be announcing that officially very soon!

Hmm, I realise that I have just put my massive to-do list out to the world right now, but I figure it’s good to have some accountability! I am working on many publishing projects for clients right now, and I am so excited to help them bring the work out into the world. I will announce them here too when they are published.

Here’s a quote photo for you[image error] It was taken in the garden of the Unity of Sedona, the quote is from I’m Here.

Announcement for Earth Angels

Hello Earth Angels! I’m so pleased to let you know that the beautiful 5 Year Anniversary Edition of The Earth Angel Training Academy is now available to purchase! You can buy it on Amazon, and also at Sacred Tree Spirit if you are local to the Forest of Dean.

The new cover is really beautiful and if you are a fan of the Earth Angel Series it would make an awesome addition to your collection.

I’m currently in Canada and will be travelling through the States, and am looking forward to meeting up with lots of Earth Angels! Have already connected with some of my readers here in Toronto and am looking forward to meeting more at the I Can Do It conference this weekend.

If you are in Toronto or will be at the conference and would like to connect, just let me know!

 

Spirit Warrior – Jon Fellows

Welcome to the latest post in the Spirit Warrior Series in which I am featuring Spirit Warriors I know. These are men who have made the transition from very ‘normal’ careers, some quite masculine in their nature, to a more spiritual calling. Many men are making this shift from the physical to the meta-physical, and they have allowed me to share their stories with you, in the hopes it will inspire and uplift you, especially if you are thinking of doing the same thing.

The Spirit Warrior I would like to introduce you to is Jon. I have known Jon for six years now, and I witnessed his beautiful transition, so I am pleased to be able to feature him here.

MG: Jon, can you tell everyone what it was you used to do?

Spirit Warrior: For the last twenty years I have run my own Tree Surgery business. I had my own pottery before that, but felt like I needed to be more mercenary and focus on making money to support my family.

MG: What is it you currently do?

Spirit Warrior: I am building up my client base for my wellbeing centre, Sacred Tree Spirit, which is within my home in the woods. I have trained in sound therapy and energy healing and help clients to release emotional trauma and heal. I also create wood turned homewares which are available to buy in the shop here.

MG: What inspired the shift?

Spirit Warrior: There have been a number of things that have triggered shifts in the right direction. My divorce process made me think about what I actually wanted from life. I wasn’t getting the thrill I used to get from climbing big, dangerous trees, and in fact, I was starting to think that it was only a matter of time before I pushed my luck too far and ended up getting hurt of killed. I had some profound healing experiences from various practitioners, and some big emotional shifts too, and my thinking shifted from making money to wanting to live a more authentic life and offer more value somehow.

MG: Were there financial implications?

Spirit Warrior: There has been quite a difference in the money coming in, but in taking the leap of faith I have been provided for and have been sustained in so many different ways.

MG: Did you get support from your friends and family?

Spirit Warrior: My parents have always been supportive and have always believed that I can make whatever I can imagine into a reality. My mum, more so, as she has always had a trusting in God to manifest what is needed. My dad is more practical and logical, but has always been rooting for me. My sister is a chiropractor and energy worker, and she inspired me to go deeper with the sound healing work as she used some chakra balancing sound work at the end of her sessions.

I had a lodger, Tanja, who is an expert osteopath and shiatsu practitioner who was very generous with her healing abilities and encouraged me to think about changing things in my life. The local chinese medicine practitioner, Nadia, treated my back and shoulders many times when I was doing the Tree Surgery. She runs a Qi Gong group which I attended for several years and still attend when I can find the time. Her classes helped me to access my fluid body and soften up, which made me realise there is a deep need to release the tension in our bodies. As a result of being exposed to this ancient information, I felt compelled to spend some time at Mantak Chia’s Qi Gong Training Centre in Thaliand.

Knowing and spending time with you, Michelle, has also been an amazing journey, and your support and belief in me has helped me to know that the path I am taking is not so crazy!

MG: Have you ever been judged, criticised or ridiculed for your decision to transition from the physical to meta-physical?

Spirit Warrior: I am sure there are some people who know me that think I have gone a bit mad, but I don’t care.

MG: Have you ever considered returning to your old career?

Spirit Warrior: I still do some tree work from time to time, though it is getting less often now. It is nice working for some of my long-standing customers, with whom I have built a relationship with over the last 20 years. They often find it hard to get their heads around the new me, but are delighted to see a bowl made from one of their trees, and can appreciate my shift from a more creative point of view.

MG: What gets you through the tough moments?

Spirit Warrior: Connecting with other like-minded people, and having positive feedback from clients who have managed to let go of deeply embedded emotional stuff makes it all feel worthwhile.

MG: Do you have any advice for other Spirit Warriors who are making the same transition, or are thinking of doing so?

Spirit Warrior: I wouldn’t ever tell someone to do something that looks like financial suicide – but feeling the pull to be something more and responding gently to it can transform your life into the life that was meant for you.

MG: Can you share you favourite spiritual practice with us?

Spirit Warrior: Circulating Qi and smoothing it around my body helps to boost my core energy. I always do this before working with anyone else so that I don’t feel depleted after a session and they receive the best of me.

MG: Are you more in tune with your inner self? With your intuition?

Spirit Warrior: I am more in tune with my emotions and what I am feeling, but I do have to really trust someone to show them the true me.

MG: Do you express your feelings and emotions more easily?

Spirit Warrior: Expressing exactly what I want rather than people pleasing has been an ongoing challenge for me.

MG: What has been the best and worst parts of making this shift?

Spirit Warrior: Beyond the initial doubts I had about making this shift, I now feel as happy and as inquisitive as I did when I was at art college.

MG: If you could go back in time and change the past, would you choose to do it all over again?

Spirit Warrior: The idea of re-tweaking your life is a minefield! I am in constant eager anticipation of what will happen next, like being in a movie of my own making!

MG: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Spirit Warrior: Thank you for the encouragement to take part in this series, just answering and thinking about these questions makes me realise just how fortunate I am.

MG: Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, and with my readers!

If you would like to check out what Jon is doing his links are below. Thank you for reading, there will be another Spirit Warrior featured very soon!

Facebook – facebook.com/sacredtreespirit

Instagram – instagram.com/sacredtreespirit

Website – sacred-tree-spirit.com

Goddess Warrior – Sarah Rebecca Vine

To complement my Spirit Warrior series on men shifting from the physical to the meta-physical, this Goddess Warrior series will focus on women who are living their spiritual message and journey, who are speaking their truth and are fully in their feminine power, while they make a difference with their words and actions.

The Goddess Warrior I would love to introduce you to is Sarah Rebecca Vine. She is known as the ‘healer that heals the healers’, the founder of the Earth Angel Sanctuary, and has dedicated her life to Awakening Earth Angels and raising her two beautiful children.

MG: Sarah, can you tell us a little about what you do?

Goddess Warrior: I run a worldwide membership site called the Earth Angel Sanctuary where I get to speak with members live and facilitate some amazing clearings and healings! Plus I film videos for the Sanctuary and YouTube, do all the editing of them and both my websites, chat with many amazing souls all over the world, run a home, bring up my two darlings Angel and Evan, love my partner, hang out with my awesome mastermind group and generally send out lots of love to the world!

MG: When did your spiritual awakening/journey begin?

Goddess Warrior: My earliest memory was my spiritual awakening. I was 3 or 4, lying in my bed and looked and my hands, I suddenly had absolute clarity I was a soul back in a body! I was so excited I got out of bed to tell my mum who told me to go back to bed. I said ‘Mum, you don’t understand, I’m back! I’m alive!’ and of course she didn’t  understand, and so sent me back to bed again… I realise now I closed that part down consciously to fit in. We choose our parents and I am blessed with mine, as although I closed that part down, I was very much cocooned and protected growing up.

This knowing reawakened within me when I was a teenager and it’s been a journey since then.

MG: What do you feel is your mission/purpose/calling in this life?

Goddess Warrior: When I think about this and close my eyes, I see our beautiful planet in front of me, and I just want to wrap my arms around it and send so much love to mother earth and every soul here. I have always felt my mission is global and to just love. Through my own spiritual growth, I have discovered so much about myself that I know it is. I have been called the healer of the healers, and the angel of destiny, Starlight in your books

Slow Down – It’s Not a Race

Ever feel like we’re all in a massive hurry to ‘finally get there’? Like we’re in a constant rush to finish everything and do everything on our lists and get to where we really want to be?

I feel like that a lot, and it occurred to me today, that life is a journey, not a race. That this path we’re on is to be experienced, enjoyed, felt, seen – not rushed past, or skipped in order to get to the end. (Which is basically our death, when you think about it. Not sure about you, but I’m in no hurry to get there just yet!)

I know many who feel they are not where they ‘should’ be on their spiritual path. They should have read more books by now, done more courses, know what their purpose is, changed all those pesky negative beliefs and released all the trapped emotions.

I know I have felt the exact same way. I should have written more books by now. I should be in a better financial position. I should own my own home, have a better car and be earning more money.

I have two words to say to all of that, and one of them is a swear word – you have been warned.

Fuck it.

We are all, each and every one of us, exactly where we are meant to be. If we were meant to be ‘further along’ or in a ‘better place’ then we would be. The way our lives are unfolding and happening are exactly as they are meant to be. Any feelings of not being good enough, spiritual enough, wealthy enough or whatever enough, are just a big fuck you to the universe.

Because thinking that things are not as they should be is to resist the flow of universal energy that is available to us. Fighting with our realities doesn’t change them. Fighting doesn’t change or solve anything, in fact. It just brings us more of what it is we are trying to fight.

So I invite you to make peace with yourself, with your life, with your place on your journey, and to just rest safe in the knowledge that you are exactly where you are meant to be in this moment right now. Yes, you may want to be somewhere else, but the easiest way to get there is to accept where you are and to then calmly move toward the things you want, knowing that all is well, and you are not desperate, running away from anything, or hating anything.

One last thing, as this awesome song from one of my favourite movies – The Shift – says, don’t go with your song still inside you. Indeed, the only thing to make sure, is that every day, you are singing your song, and sharing it with others. Other than that, enjoy the journey, take in the sights and sounds and smells along the way, and fear not, you will do, have and be all you could wish to do, have or be, when it is all meant to be.

Michelle is the author and publisher of 10 Visionary Fiction novels, all available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle. She spends her days helping Indie Authors to publish their books, taking photographs of mushrooms and making gluten-free cakes.

If you need any help with your publishing journey, please do get in touch with her by emailing theamethystangel@hotmail.co.uk. You can book a Skype session or a phone call with her, or ask questions via email. Please do follow her publishing blog to receive more posts on Indie Publishing.

 

Let’s End Narcissism

By discontinuing the use of this label.

This may turn into a bit of a rant, and I don’t often do that on my blog, but today, well, I’ve had enough of this so-called ‘Narcissism’ epidemic. Excuse my language, but it’s pure horse manure.

It feels like every day, something pops up on my Facebook feed about Narcissism. About how narcissists can ruin your life by being toxic in relationships, by thinking they’re so important, by taking too many selfies, blah blah blah.

Narcissism is simply a label. A not very nice label, slapped on people who have treated us badly, who seem to think they’re the best thing since sliced bread, etc. And handily enough, a narcissist won’t even know they’re a narcissist, so we’re the only ones who can ‘diagnose’ them as such.

Have you read the traits of a narcissist? I challenge anyone to read them and tell me that some if not all of those things apply to them too. Hell, most of them apply to me! Are people saying I’m a narcissist because I write a blog? Because I take selfies? I was taking selfies way back before they were even a hashtag! Does that mean I’ve always been a narcissist?

Oh wait, if I think I’m a narcissist, then it means I’m not one. Phew.

All this label does is create victims. The person who is with a ‘toxic narccissist’ is the victim, and they have the right to name, blame and shame the ‘nasty narcissist’. All that does is give away their power to the person they are blaming. Instead, why not see that the ‘Narcissist’ may have some inner work to do, and until they’ve done that, being in a relationship might not work? No blaming, no labelling, no shaming, just recognising that it is simply not the right time for you to be in the same space as each other.

Do you know what I see when I see a so-called narcissist? I see someone who doesn’t know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally. I see someone who does not love themselves. I have known and been in relationships with people who fit the ‘profile’ and do you know what? What they were missing was love. Pure, unconditional love. Don’t forget also, that your relationships with others are simply mirrors of what is going on inside you. So where are you not loving yourself?

Brené Brown talks about the ‘epidemic’ in her book – Daring Greatly, and she says in there that there isn’t a rise of narcissists, but there is a rise in shaming and blaming certain behaviours.

What I find sad is that in a pre-emptive way, people are beginning to label themselves as narcissists, every time they take a selfie, as if just that simple act is enough to be labelled with something potentially damaging.

What if they’re taking a selfie because they feel good about themselves on that day, an there’s no one else there to take the photo?

On one hand, we’re telling people they’re beautiful, they’re amazing, they need to have more self-esteem and they should believe in themselves, and yet on the other we telling people that they’re narcissistic and think too highly of themselves and need to stop taking those damn selfies, because really, they’re not all that.

How does this make any sense?

So I propose we end this narcissistic epidemic, and instead begin a revolution of unconditional love.

First step? Let’s drop the negative labels, and see each other as the human beings that we all are. We are all spiritual souls in human bodies, doing the best we can do with all that we are, let’s begin by honouring that.

Rant over, I love you guys, even those of you who take selfies

Spirit Warrior Interview – Tim Brister

Welcome to the latest post in the Spirit Warrior Series in which I am featuring Spirit Warriors I know. These are men who have made the transition from very ‘normal’ careers, some quite masculine in their nature, to a more spiritual calling. Many men are making this shift from the physical to the meta-physical, and they have allowed me to share their stories with you, in the hopes it will inspire and uplift you, especially if you are thinking of doing the same thing.

The Spirit Warrior I would like to introduce you to is Tim Brister, he is a life coach and the author of With Love.

MG: Tim, can you tell everyone what it was you used to do?

Spirit Warrior:  For thirty years I worked in Financial Services.  In a number of banks, insurance companies and a European stock exchange.  Organisations that were largely male dominated, testosterone overloaded and taking themselves far too seriously.

MG: What is it you currently do?

Spirit Warrior:  I am a transformational life coach and a published author.

MG: What inspired the shift?

Spirit Warrior:  Over time, I felt less and less at home in Financial Services, but I didn’t really understand what that really meant.  Meditation unlocked something inside of me which released the flow of love and heartfelt wisdom that led to the creation of my first book.

MG: Were there financial implications? What was it like to go from a regular paycheck to being self-employed?

Spirit Warrior:  Most of my corporate life was as an independent consultant so being self-employed was not new to me but there was a substantial difference between consulting fees and the income I received from coaching and my book.  Over the past years, we’ve been working on a number of other income sources which means that the impact is not so severe.

MG: Did you get support from your friends and family?

Spirit Warrior:  My family’s support continues to be unwavering, for which I’m grateful beyond measure.  My friends are in two camps; firstly, the group that understand what I’m doing and secondly, those that don’t get it at all.  None of my friends are negative, however the group that understand what I’m doing are more supportive than those that don’t get it.

MG: Have you ever been judged, criticised or ridiculed for your decision to transition from the physical to meta-physical?

Spirit Warrior:  Not yet.  Probably because I tend to share less with those that don’t get it, or those that I expect won’t get it.

MG: Have you ever considered returning to your old career?

Spirit Warrior:  I do still provide consulting services in Financial Services but only when I feel that I have something to offer, because that’s when I’m really effective and I really enjoy consulting.  Consulting is no longer on a “need to” basis but on a “choose to” basis.

MG: What gets you through the tough moments?

Spirit Warrior:  Time to meditate and/or exercise to enable me to re-connect with my heart which is the truth of who we all are.

MG: Do you have any advice for other Spirit Warriors who are making the same transition, or are thinking of doing so?

Spirit Warrior:  When the time feels right for you, the transition will begin, you probably won’t notice the transition beginning but you’ll notice after a few days/weeks/months that you’re in a different spiritual place.

MG: Can you share you favourite spiritual practice with us?

Spirit Warrior:  Meditation.  The transformational effect of daily meditation has, for me, been life changing.

MG: Are you more in tune with your inner self? With your intuition?

Spirit Warrior:  Yes.  It’s like night and day, if I look back even as short a time as 3 years, I am so much more intuitive and trusting of myself now.  What’s more it feels like every moment that increases further.

MG: Do you express your feelings and emotions more easily?

Spirit Warrior:  I do.  I find I’m much more open both physically and emotionally, and I feel comfortable sharing me.

MG: What has been the best and worst parts of making this shift?

Spirit Warrior:  The best and worst parts are the same.  There is no going back, which is fabulous because I know that even if there are challenges along the way, these challenges are on the way, they are not sending me back.  However, there have been occasions over the past 15 years when I’ve wondered what it would be like to not know what I have come to know, because life might be easier that way, but I know that there’s no going back!

MG: If you could go back in time and change the past, would you choose to do it all over again?

Spirit Warrior:  Absolutely.

MG: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Spirit Warrior:  Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and transition.  To all the readers, I wish you a healthy life, filled with love, a life that you feel is an authentic reflection of you and your heart’s wisdom.

MG: Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, and with my readers!

If you would like to check out what Tim is doing his links are below. Thank you for reading, there will be another Spirit Warrior featured very soon!

www.timbrister.co.uk

www.withlovebooks.com

Facebook page: withlovebooks

Twitter: @withlovebooks

tim@timbrister.co.uk