Before I start, please let me clarify (if you have never heard of Gabby Bernstein and her teachings) that I have not suddenly become addicted to vodka or gin (although I did have an intense flirtation with Midori around the age of 18- shudder!) No, this type of spirit junkie has a lot more to do with living consciously from your heart with love, but more on that shortly.
For most of my life, I have definitely NOT considered myself a spiritual person. Apart from a brief infatuation with Sunday school as a youngster, mainly because I got to wear a rockin’ purple suede and lambswool vest (go seventies fashions). For the most part, I have consciously chosen to steer clear of all things spiritual. In fact, whenever anyone has brought up their spiritual beliefs with me, my eyeballs would internally roll into my head (as my husband will tell you, I am the master of the eyeball roll- both internal and external). ‘Happy for you to believe what you choose, but that shit ain’t for me’, would pretty much sum up my thinking. The whys of this, are perhaps best left for another blog post, but it seems that along with all the other changes that have occurred for me in the past year, in the last month or so something a little deeper within me was ready to shift.
Case in point 1: I asked my mother-in-law (who has always held some deep spiritual beliefs) to buy me some Little Sage Oracle cards for Christmas. After she fell off her chair in astonishment, she did as I wished, and under the Christmas tree there they were. Why did I ask for them? I’m not really even sure, as I have always avoided tarot cards and the like before, but these cards are truly beautiful and I am loving playing around with them. They also came with an affirmation card that was intuitively selected by Little Sage for me:
The Inner Child- I am a perfect child of the Universe, regardless of my physical age. I am happy and safe as I continue to learn and explore the world around me.
Yep, that truly does resonate with where I am in my life right now on the other side of forty (no eyerolls required).
Case in point 2: On the spur of the moment I decided to buy a ticket to go and see the speaker and self proclaimed spirit junkie Gabby Bernstein when she recently came to Australia. Now this was out of character for me for a number of reasons: I didn’t know anyone else going; I don’t tend to spend money on self development (shoes yes, but improving my inner being, ah no); and I really had very little idea of what Gabby spoke about or did. I had never read one of her books, or visited her website, yet a little voice inside me (my inner child perhaps?) told me very clearly to buy that ticket (well that, and the fact they had a one day 25% off tickets sale- I am always a sucker for a discount!) Am I glad that I did, because I soon realised that in order to be a spirit junkie you don’t need to float about in robes and a turban chanting ‘om’ all day (although if that floats your boat, go for it). Gabby is a stylish, authentic, relatable woman, and she admits to getting it wrong on occasion (she told a great story about having an argument in a cafe in Byron Bay with her husband, over her constantly checking Instagram, and getting busted by one of her followers who was dining there). Most importantly for me, she is a woman who speaks her own truth and knows how to have a whole lot of fun in the process. It was an amazing and inspiring night on so many levels, and I met some beautiful light filled women as well. Here are some of the lessons that I resonated most with, during the 3 hours I spent in Gabby’s divine company.
Measure your success by how much fun you are having
Happiness is a choice I make
Be willing to choose again every single day- it doesn’t matter if you fall off track, what matters is how quickly can you come back from that
We control how we perceive the world around us
Your words are either polluting the world or elevating the world- it’s your choice
Our presence is our power- be truly present in moments throughout your day
Begin a daily practice of stillness and commit to it
What would your life be like, if you were free of judgement
Give more of what you would like to receive
You should lean towards joy in your life
So there you have it my friends, whether you consider yourself to be spiritual or not, I don’t think too many people could argue with these messages. Incorporating one or more of the above lessons into your everyday life could only help you to become a better version of yourself. I, for one intend to focus on being less judgemental (of myself and of others), and be more joyous and giving, and if that makes me a spirit junkie, then ‘Sat Nam’ so be it!
Wishing you all peace and love,
What do you think? Do you consider yourself to be spiritual? Or did you see Gabby yourself- if so, what did you take away from the experience…
Agree wholeheartedly with this Mel! Probably 3 or so years ago I considered myself non spiritual and I think the practice of just going to a meditation class really opened me up and allowed that side to come to the fore!
Was so nice to meet you in “offline” life on Thursday at gabby, I got my ticket on a spur of the moment thing too and boy am I glad I did! So many nuggets of pure gold came from that night, I think you covered the highlights for me as well!
Hope to meet again one day soon xxx
Thanks Jane, it was lovely to meet you as well. I think meditation is my next thing to commit to regularly- whenever I occasionally do it I love it, I just have to take Gabby’s advice and commit to it! xx
Love your writing Mel and your sense of humour! So enjoyed your take on Gabby and you opening up to the land of spirituality. Lots of magic happens here – you won’t be sorry. Feel very blessed to have met you at Gabby too! xx
Thanks Simone- it was great to meet you as well, and I am enjoying exploring this long neglected side of myself, x
Love these lessons your shared Mel! So incredible. Presence is power has moved me so much lately, and I especially loved: measure your success by how much fun you are having and give what you would like to receive. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Chloe! They are such simple messages, but they really do resonate don’t they, xx