Yesterday I was running around Manhattan in full holiday shopping mode. As I exited the subway at 59th and Lex, all of a sudden I remembered what happened in that exact spot years ago. I was stressed out that day and preoccupied (can’t remember why), and just as I reached the top of the subway steps, I saw Emma Thompson smiling right in front of me, arms wide, ready for a hug. Yes, that Emma Thompson. In that split second I thought, “Oh my God, it’s Emma Thompson! Oh my God, she’s going to hug me!”
Just then, Emma went to hug the person right behind me—a teenage girl I assumed was her daughter. I found the whole event hilarious—that Emma seemed to be coming right for me, that for a moment I thought it was entirely possible that a famous actress would want to spontaneously hug me in the middle of 59th Street. It snapped me back to the present, shifted my energy, and made me laugh at myself. That's a gift.
As I continued my holiday shopping yesterday, I thought of all the gifts I’ve received this year already. Like when I took a platform mediumship class a few months ago—I was out-of-my-mind nervous to do a reading in front of an audience for the first time. A little bit prior to my name being called to go up in front of the class, another woman got up to read and immediately connected with my grandmother. The woman brought through specific details about my grandmother—even her last name—and then proceeded to relay a pep talk from her, all about how, come on, I can do this work! It was exactly what I needed to hear before my turn up at bat. It snapped me back to the present, shifted my energy, and gave me a boost of confidence and love. That's a gift.
The other day, I was worried about how our foster cat Faro would handle a recent change in his life (more on that to come) and in the middle of my worrying, he flipped on his back behind his favorite box. All I could see were his hind legs spread wide, white belly out. It snapped me back to the present, shifted my energy, and helped me lighten up bigtime. That's a gift.
The universe gives us gifts great and small all the time, from absolutely anywhere—animals, loved ones, random celebrity sightings and so much more. All we have to do is stop, take notice…and receive.
When I was little I didn’t really understand how Santa could visit every house in the world in one night. Now it makes sense—the universe gives everywhere all the time, no chimneys required. How lucky are we?
It’s all about the magic. 🙌