Look for the Gateways

The term “gateway” means an opening that leads to something else, such as The Gateway Arch is the landmark opening to St. Louis, Missouri. In medical terms, you may have heard “gateway” used in reference to the beginning of a patient’s chemical dependency. However, I have found that gateways open for us at just the right time in our lives. They have led me to phenomenal life-changing experiences.

Gateways can be beautiful beginnings. It is our choice to ignore them or, if it feels right, run through the entrance to a fascinating adventure.

When I was in high school and searching my small town mind frame for career choices, I decided I was probably going to be a teacher. I admired most of my teachers. I was shy back then but not with kids. Teaching was the only career I could visualize myself being comfortable in. There were no other likely scenarios I thought would pass muster with my parents. I was OK with this decision but looking back, I was not PASSIONATE about it.

One day my friend asked if I wanted to ditch history class and attend a presentation from a nursing school recruiter instead. We had the most boring history teacher on the planet and I jumped at the chance to miss him reading, in a monotone, from our textbook for 45 minutes. I had NO thoughts EVER of going into nursing. In my family, nursing was connected with my rather stern, pious grandmother who was an LPN. Sorry Granny! I practically skipped into the presentation, knowing I was getting away with something, and with a smile on my face. I was not even really paying attention.

I have wracked my brain trying to remember what the nurse said that snapped me into attentiveness. Whatever that phrase was sent a lightning bolt through my body. I sat up straight and looked around like “what the heck just happened?” At the same time, out of the blue, I thought, “Oh, I’m supposed to be a nurse!”

That recruiting session was my gateway to 40+ years as an RN.

I tried to fight that initial decision in my mind. I knew my parents would not be enthusiastic about it. I was right. They could not picture me being happy in the nitty- gritty reality of nursing responsibilities. I really had no clue what I was getting myself into, but I could still feel that lightning bolt, that persistent gut feeling that it was the right path for me. It gave me the confidence to convince the family that becoming an RN would be just fine. That streak of light inside me taught me to begin trusting my intuition and to believe I had a barometer inside me to help with life’s decisions. Cool, right?

I won’t lie.

Nursing school was scary and many days I had second thoughts about that blasted lightning bolt. Maybe it was really telling me to run and I had misinterpreted it! Nevertheless, I persevered and thrived. I became a Neonatal ICU nurse and absolutely loved it. I am grateful that I stepped through that gateway. Where would I have ended up if I had not skipped that history class?

On the road to my next memorable gateway, I worked, traveled, and had fun with friends and family. I traversed the usual highs and lows that life presents to us. Along the way, I started exploring a more spiritual path. I read incessantly. Reincarnation, psychic abilities, past lives, Angels, anything that caught my attention in the bookstore. My apartment was overflowing with books. Eye opening stuff! I would pay attention to what resonated with me and explore as far as I could go. Over the years, I attended many psychic fairs and lectures on all sorts of topics. Only a few friends knew of my eclectic interests. I did not want people thinking I was going off the deep end!

Occasionally I would have experiences of knowing things were going to happen or have fascinating dreams I did not understand. I did not know what it all meant, and I assumed that was the extent of whatever innate abilities I had. It was exciting when those little glimpses into the future would occur. In my quest for more answers, I eventually found some authentic intuitive counselors. One insisted I needed to learn Reiki, a Japanese healing technique. I had NO idea what it was; I thought it was a massage and I said ‘Nope, that’s not for me”.

Little did I know that another gateway was opening.

I ignored it.

Fast forward through many intriguing Spiritual messages and signs that came my way over the next 2 years. I finally paid attention when a medium I had just met told me I HAD to learn Reiki. Exasperated, I asked what it was. She told me a little about this simple, yet powerful energy practice and my hands started tingling. I sat there in amazement. It made me pay attention. In the distance, I could hear a gateway starting to open. I found a Reiki Master/Teacher in my area and signed up for class.

There is much more to this story, but when I attended my first Reiki class, a HUGE lightning bolt went down my spine. I was instantly AWAKE, ENLIGHTENED, whatever terminology you want to call it.

Reiki was a gateway to my Spiritual Awakening, to knowing that I had found a new passion and purpose in my life. I was on FIRE. I knew everyone needed to have access to Reiki. I carried it a step further. I knew the hospital patients needed it. The staff definitely needed it. Actually, everyone in the world needed it! I was on a mission to spread the word.

Reiki was a gateway for me to meet many genuine, beautiful souls who cared about the same things I did. I did not keep that part of my life quiet anymore.

Reiki was a gateway for me to learn even more healing techniques. Meditation? I never thought I would be able to meditate! Now I facilitate Conscious Meditations™ for my coaching clients.

Reiki was the gateway for me to become the teacher that I thought I would be, but in a much brighter and freer form that, for me, was perfect.

Gateways have been appearing rapidly since I jumped into the Reiki way of life. I am so grateful that the Universe presents them to me. I pay attention. I feel the lightning bolts. I trust my intuition. I step through the gateways into new and wondrous adventures.

The Universe is here to support YOU!

As you learn to observe and trust, you become aware that many options are being presented to you. Take that first step and change any trepidation into excitement!

Know that the Universe will show you your path.

What have been your gateways? If you did not step through them what held you back?

I would love to hear your stories. Share your comments ~ I look forward to hearing your experiences!