For many years, I worked in the hospitality industry. I grew to love the work and especially many of the people I met along the way. Much of the work was repetitive which allowed me to be somewhat on “auto pilot”. This freed up part of my consciousness to delve deeper into and strengthen my intuitive abilities.
At one point, I worked third shift. I was the only employee on the premises. One night, I was in my main work area which adjoined the front office of the hotel I was working in. I heard noises coming from the office which should not have been there. Suddenly the connecting door opened up and a man in a ski mask came charging in. I was washing dishes and my hands and forearms were wet with soapy water. I spun around and he forcefully grabbed me by the collar and shoved me to the ground. I remember falling and instinctively turned my head to the left so as not to hit my face directly on the concrete floor. The intruder immediately began using duct tape to bind my ankles together and my wrists behind my back. I was surprised to notice that in that moment I was not afraid.
As he threatened to shoot me if I moved or tried to follow him a thought blossomed in my mind : “Why are you hiding from your gifts?” Well, that was an unusual thought to be having in a moment like that. I asked myself, why indeed was I hiding from my gifts. At that point in my life, I’d been doing readings after work and on days off when possible but I hadn’t really dedicated myself to offering my gifts.
After what felt like a long time, I finally heard the robber leave. I stayed still for what was probably about 15 or 30 minutes. I really was afraid at that time thinking he might still be around, maybe trying to break into some guest rooms. I cast my intuitive senses outward in an attempt to “read” if it was safe for me to get up. I felt it was worth the risk. After some wriggling around, I was able to free myself from the duct tape. I slowly crept up to a door that opened onto a hallway and cautiously opened the door. I saw that no one was in the hallway in either direction. Part of my job was that I had to carry a cordless phone with me in case any guests called during the night. I used to phone to call my manager and tell him what happened.
My heart racing, I was able to make my way to the end of the hallway where I ran outside to a neighboring hotel. I just wanted to be safe in another place. The night clerk there called the police for me.
Fast forward about 6 months when I took a job closer to where I lived. I was SO excited about this new position as I was moving up into management. I worked diligently to learn about my new position and work with my new staff. It took about a month or so before I realized that I just wasn’t going to be allowed to work to my highest potential due to restraints from upper management. I told my immediate boss of all the issues I saw in my department and of what I felt was needed to remedy these situations. I will never forget this moment. After I had my say, my manager said “Is that all you have to say?”. “Yes.”, I replied. “Well, I don’t know why you are telling me all of this. There is nothing I can do about any of it.” Immediately I heard myself say “Well, there you have it. This is my two weeks notice.” I suddenly felt free. A tremendous burden had been lifted.
I finished out my two weeks and started offer my intuitive readings full time. At that time I did not have a large clientele. I had some loyal clients but not nearly enough to financially sustain me. Quickly, things seemed to fall apart. Money trickled in and then almost stopped altogether. Debt collectors were beginning to call. I began have very dark, fearful thoughts. My intuition suggested that I call a friend for help. She asked me “Have you told God what you need?”. It never dawned on me.
Calmly I began to tell God, out loud, what I needed. I had just made an agreement with two separate creditors that I would have a total of $700 in my checking account in 7 days. I basically made the agreement just to shut them up. I had nowhere near that amount of money. I told God what I needed and why I needed it. Then I began to tell Him what I was afraid of. I was shocked. A huge list of concerns came out of me. Things I had no idea that I was afraid of.
Over the first 2 or 3 days of that 7 day period, things seemed to be going backward. The little business I did have scheduled cancelled. Money owed me from previous work was not showing up. And no new business was happening. At all. I went into fear, big time. I immediately I heard a voice in my mind that said “Are you willing to stand on the word that no matter what happens, things will be taken care of? Even if it is the last moment of the last day?” I would hear this every time I went into fear and doubt. Sometimes I believed it was true. Other times not at all.
Well, much to my surprise, every last penny showed up in 6 days, not 7! Not in any unusual way. It was like the flood gates opened. The people who owed me money paid up. Calls came in wanting me to read for groups of people. I was stunned. And beyond grateful.
Looking back, I realize that I had lulled myself into a false sense of security by working in a field of work that I was not passionate about, thinking I could just work that way forever. I had to be shaken up, big time. That is why I believe that robbery happened and why I was put in a position in which I knew I would not be supported in my efforts to do a good job. I had to get to the point of acknowledging what I was really afraid of while also trusting that things would work out.
Whenever I doubt things will work out, I remember that $700 in 7 days experience. I know that if God and the Universe could get me through that, I could get through anything.
May you find the courage inside to face your fears and walk into the unknown, fully trusting that your needs will be taken care of.
Blessed Journeys,
Matthew