Margo, the wandering womb, has a list of people she would like to meet in her lifetime: Dr Rosita Arvigo (check), Rosemary Gladstar, Katy Bowman (check), Dr Aviva Romm, Stevie Nicks, The Dalai Lama, Kid Rock* and Dr. Christiane Northrup (check). Dr Christiane Northrup is one of the world’s leading authorities in the field of women’s health and wellness and the author of the New York Best Sellers, Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, blew me away when I first read it 17 years ago. I still remember the moment I found the book while working in a salon in Michigan; it was like finding the holy grail of women’s health. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom set me on my healing journey and influenced my decision to pursue a career in the field of holistic health. So, you can imagine my delight when I received an email from a client asking if I would like to have lunch with Dr Northrup and five other lovely women. I tried to explain to my hubby why I was so excited, “It would be like if you were invited to have lunch with Russ Roberts of EconTalk!” Yes, my hubby is a geeky economist type but he also reminds me of the Viking conqueror Ragnar Lothbrok, so he’s very well rounded and always has interesting things to talk about. I also tried to explain my excitement to my dad, “It would be like if mom met Elvis Presley!” I think they kind of got it, but no response compared to my good friend Michele’s text message, “oh my gawd, oh my gawd, holy sh@*, of my gawd!” I guess you had to read the book, to really understand.
Dr Northrup is so kind and down-to-earth that she didn’t even blink an eye when I asked her if she could examine Margo’s cervix at the dinner table (she’s an OB/GYN after all). She shared so many words of wisdom that really hit home with me. The main message I got from her was to surround yourself with people in your life that allow you to be as “big” as you truly are. It is what I needed to hear back then. Growing up I learned to be small and unnoticed, and censor my thoughts.
Later that week a good friend of mine made the analogy of how crabs in a pot pull the crab that’s trying to escape back down into the pot in a useless attempt to get out themselves. This crab mentality of course ensures their collective demise. I felt like the crab being pulled down into the pot. This lunch invitation and the messages I received that week were not coincidences. The Universe is sending us messages and guidance all the time, we just have to open our eyes and ears and show up.
I feel lighter and freer since letting certain relationships go. No more worrying about drawing attention to myself. I can let my light shine without worrying about what others think.
During the Maya Spiritual Healing training that I attended with Dr Rosita Arvigo in Belize, I learned the many ways the evil eye, jealousy, and envy affects people negatively. Rosita also talked about the power of our words. How many times have you read, said, or thought “I’m so jealous!” when you see someone’s FaceBook post exclaiming that they are going on an exotic vacation? Dr Arvigo told us, instead of saying “I’m so jealous!” when your friend tells you about a beautiful home she just bought, or an exotic vacation she’s going on, to say “I hope to have a (fill in the blank) as nice as yours, and you have an even better (fill in the blank).” That way you can be inspired by what your sister has accomplished, but also wish her even more prosperity. You have to mean it, don’t fake it! Jealousy and envy negatively affect both parties involved. Invest your energy wisely. Don’t feel bad if you have to let some relationships go; boundaries are compassionate. Release them with love; that may be enough to shift the energy and have them back in your life someday. We’re all unique individuals with gifts to share and we need to celebrate and encourage each other rather than being fearful that there isn’t enough to go around.
Another lesson I learned is to listen with empathy to understand where the other person is coming from. We all have a story that leads us down a unique path and we have a lot to learn from each other. We don’t always have to agree with everything the other person says, but that’s no reason to shut them down and disregard their gifts to the world. If we shut down people who have a differing view, we shut down the conversation. When we shut down the conversation and the exchange of ideas, we stop growing. When we as a society stop exploring different ways of thinking, we become less intelligent. That’s scary.
I’d love to hear who has inspired you on your path.
*In case you were wondering how Kid Rock made Margo’s list, every girl has a soft spot for bad boys and Margo feels Kid Rock has come a long way in recent years. I tried to talk her out of it, but you all know how that goes.
If you know Kid Rock or the Dalai Lama please let them know Margo would like to hang out with them (not at the same time though, that would be awkward).
Barbara, you are a bright light. Thanks for sharing your messages from the universe. You have many gifts, may you continue to shine brighter!
Thank you Susan! Same to you.
Oh my GAWWD. I would have loved to meet her. So cool. I read her book 20 years ago and still remember do many parts of it. It really made an impression on me.