The majority of us have spent part of our lives not knowing what we want to do. We seem to drift aimlessly thinking that life is about paying the bills until we are presented with a set of circumstances that force us to sit up and take notice of why we are here. Some of those events are quite jolting while others represent a gentle reminder. (Photo: WisDoc).
Have you ever had an “Ah-ha” moment where the answer you were seeking came to you in the form of a thought that flashed through your mind? You’re almost never prepared for it. You go into a situation thinking you’ll accomplish one thing but end up achieving something else entirely.
One day in 1996, in the middle of a particularly busy trading day at Merrill Lynch, I made arrangements to fly out to Florida for a well-deserved break. Eager to recharge my batteries and get away from the daily hustle and bustle of Wall Street, I couldn’t wait for the cool ocean mist to dampen my hair (I had lots and lots of it back then) and feel the hot sand beneath my feet.
The morning after arriving, I hurriedly ate a low-fat breakfast (i.e. yogurt, banana and coffee) and then headed straight to the beach. I brought with me the usual paraphernalia including a bottle of tanning lotion, an extra large beach towel and a good book. After finding myself a lounge chair, I plopped down for a full day of nothing but relaxation.
The combination of an engrossing book and the tantalizing feel of the hot sun against my pale winter skin made me comfortably drowsy. Everything in my body let go and sort of melted. The stock market slowly faded from memory and I lost all track of time.
Drifting further away from reality, my eyes grew heavier and heavier with each passing moment. No longer did I feel the weight of the book sitting on my chest. It rose up and down with each breath I took. A gentle breeze would pick up now and then to brush against my moist forehead, giving me that cool sensation. As I slid into the abyss of sub consciousness, images began to form and solidify. Characters swam into focus. They were all talking to each other and to me. My mouth opened and closed as if on autopilot, while bits of salvia involuntarily slid down my chin. I hope to God no one captured that on tape - I must have looked awful!
Then it happened.
A thought suddenly thundered its way into my head, shoving aside those dream characters like a tidal wave, stunning me with its forceful impact. Jolted out of my stupor, my eyes flew open. Bolting upright, I unconsciously wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and blinked against the now harsh sun. Then I looked around to see if I was imagining things.
Rubbing my eyes vigorously, it took a moment to realize that I was having one of those divine “AHA” moments. The thought was so clear even though it made no sense at the time. It was an inner knowing that despite my success on Wall Street, buying and selling stocks and bonds was not really my life’s purpose. Instead, it was to become a motivational speaker and writer, touching many people’s lives. (Note: It had not yet occurred to me that flying was part of that package - it would come later).
What was so strange is that although I had not spoken to a live audience since college fifteen years earlier nor had I ever published anything, I just knew that I was supposed to head in that direction. Every single cell in my body was tingling - I was now wide awake. I couldn’t wait to return to New York to begin laying the groundwork for the future.
Despite the rousing excitement, I had some doubts, voices in my head telling me that I was crazy for doing this. It meant peanut and jelly sandwiches would be replacing expensive dinners for a very long time.
Eight months later, with only two weeks to go before Christmas, I cleaned out my office and said my goodbyes. Walking across the marble lobby of the Merrill Lynch building for the last time, I remember thinking I had no idea what would become of my future. Little did I know that I would eventually go on to become the world’s first deaf instrument pilot, publish stories in 3 best-selling books and become an in-demand speaker and writer, sharing my life’s experiences.
Food for thought: Trust that bigger things are in store for you if you listen to your intuition, take action and believe that things will work out despite lack of clear supporting evidence.
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3:59 pm on August 23rd, 2007 1
I think we all get these “flashes!”
But, we discard them as simply flights of fancy. We don’t act.
How wonderful that you paid attention.
Thanks for reminding us!
4:09 pm on August 23rd, 2007 2
Corrine:
It’s really exciting when those “flashes” happen. Too many of us discard them as “coincidences” and end up not paying attention to them. If only they knew!
Thanks for commenting.
Stephen
7:48 am on October 15th, 2007 3
[...] on the beach in Florida during one of my mini-vacations while working on Wall Street (”Trust that Bigger Things are in Store for You - The Beach“). It was at that moment when I realized that my gift to the world was not buying and selling [...]
7:11 pm on November 5th, 2007 4
[...] in April 1996, I had a spiritual revelation on the beach, the story of which you can read about here, which made it abundantly clear why I was losing [...]
5:12 pm on November 26th, 2007 5
[...] the fact that he walked away from a six-figure income as a stockbrocker. A day at the beach lead to his life-changing path, and today, Stephen is a professional motivational speaker. He's also a generous guy when [...]
9:31 am on December 20th, 2007 6
Stephen. . .enjoyed reading your beach story. My sister heard of you somewhere. . .probably the internet since she has her own website. I am a mom, who has a son that has been deaf since he was a year old - maybe since birth. . .we don’t know for sure. He is an amazing person in many ways. I am going to send him this blog and story. Perhaps the two of you could chat someday. He is presently living in Tavares, Fla working as a recreational therapist at the National Deaf Academy. However, he has a passion for books, old foreign movies, writing and taking pictures. He, too is waiting for the AHA. I did want to mention to you that the college he graduated from - Gardner-Webb University in Boiliing Springs NC has a tremendous program for the deaf, and may be interested in having you come as a speaker sometime. They have a wonderful campus. Great to hear of you, and hope to see more!
9:54 am on December 20th, 2007 7
Paige:
How wonderful to hear from someone like you, just as I was about to walk out of the house and travel to the East Coast for the holidays! Thank you so much for letting me know you enjoyed this story. This will become part of a book that I have been dreaming about creating since forever.
I love speaking and enjoy the effect my presentations have on people. For more information about my speaking programs, whoever is interested can visit me at http://www.sjhopson.com Everything they need to know, including my fees, are on that site.
I would LOVE to meet you and your son someday. It would be wonderful for our paths to cross at some point. Please give my regards to your son. Speaking of Fla, I actually have a speaking engagement next month in Orlando, Fla. How close/far is Tavares from there?
Thanks again for your comments. It made my day!
2:53 pm on February 10th, 2008 8
[...] says ”Trust that bigger things are in store for you if you listen to your intuition, take action and believe that things will work out despite lack of [...]
11:29 am on March 20th, 2008 9
I like this post a lot. We do get such wakeup calls, don’t we? I get reassurance when I am down at the rough corners of life.
Akemi - Yes to Me’s last blog post..Interview With Successful Entrepreneurs
6:58 am on March 21st, 2008 10
Akemi:
I’m glad you enjoyed this post because it represents a huge turning point in my life. It’s the moment where my entire life changed - the future was transformed at the moment I woke up at the beach. Amazing moment.
5:03 pm on March 27th, 2008 11
Hi Stephen,
I am glad I stumbled upon your blog. Very nice content! Especially, your change of career is very inspirational and your following the inner guidance is a wonderful message to all of us. Hope you are achieving your life’s purpose now.
Thanks,
Desika
8:12 am on March 29th, 2008 12
Desika:
I’m glad you enjoyed this article - it’s actually one of my favorites. Every time I read it, I’m instantly transported back to that fateful day. It was one of those moments that seemed to stop time and forever cause a ripple effect that continues to this day.
The beach incident was almost 10 years ago. Hard to believe that much time passed by already!
Thanks again for stopping by - I appreciate the time you took to respond.
4:20 am on June 16th, 2008 13
What a life turning moment! Your Life’s Destiny looked you in the face, and, despite drooling (sorry! It was such a funny detail!) revealed itself in its full….
but what a wealth of courage you have, Stephen! To follow the calling with so much passion, trust, energy! …we know that the answers are in us, and that we always know… but how many do follow the inner voice? God Bless you and your family! You are a great inspiration for me.
you always know… — i wrote a column about it, some time ago, have a look here:
“The Wisdom Mug or All The Answers You Know” http://www.georgiatoday.ge/article_details.php?id=3989
5:22 am on June 16th, 2008 14
Victoria:
Yes, it was definitely a life changing moment - almost surreal. It was as if I was in a dream or something because looking back at the event, it could have been a movie or something!
Thank you for your support - I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this story and how it touched your spirit.
4:47 pm on June 17th, 2008 15
Great story, well written!
John Salvias last blog post..New Drugs Link Directory
6:07 pm on June 17th, 2008 16
John:
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you come back and tell us what you found most impacting with this story. How did it touch you?
9:51 pm on August 19th, 2008 17
A mountain setting in summer, at a weekend music festival is where my spiritual awakening started, last year. Must be something about the powerful energy vortexes at the beach and in the mountains.
My path has led me to start a movement and a website for Fun People Over 40. I believe there are a lot of us, and we are overlooked by marketers and society! I call us “Twifties” - for people around their 50s who act like they’re in their 20s.
When we are having fun, we are raising our vibration and that helps us and the world!
6:48 am on August 20th, 2008 18
@ Lauren:
Sounds like an interesting name for people - Twifties!
I can imagine a weekend musical festival could initiate a spiritual awakening of sorts. It can happen anywhere but you’re right - beaches and mountains seem to contain powerful energy vortexes.
5:50 pm on December 3rd, 2008 19
Hi Stephen,
This post is so lovely!So full of love and guidence. Everything about you, Stephen, is totally right; what you say and write and when…. I wonder how many people out there had an epiphany like yours. I believe you are ment to touch and teach people about that. Many of them might become anxoius of how to deal with these things and if they by Gods grace find their way to your site, they will be comforted and taught by you and not to be afraid and listen.
I myself, still feel such amazement towards God for showing me such love and guidence. Sometimes it feels like a dream and I have to pinch my arm to wake up from all these blessings! It’s so wonderful. You are wonderful.
Love and Peace!
6:06 am on December 4th, 2008 20
@ Lena Buhr:
Thank you so much for your kind, uplifting and encouraging words. I’m grateful my stories continue to reach out and touch people’s spirits. I believe you are right when you say I’m meant to touch and teach people about finding your spiritual path regardless of whether the epiphany is large or small. We all have them - we just need to open our eyes and look.
Wow, I think you just shined the light on my deeper life’s purpose - I’ve been feeling the same way. I believe God wants me to share his spiritual messages more on the platform. I feel it in my heart. Perhaps I will be led to speaking venues that will be receptive to spiritual messages.
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and write to me - it meant a lot and it’s also a confirmation from God, working through you that this is what I’m supposed to be doing - teaching and guiding others as a messenger from God. You too.
5:03 pm on January 20th, 2009 21
Wow! This brought tears to my eyes! I was right there with you on the beach and could even feel the ocean breeze! Amazing! Thanks! You are definitely a role model of bravery, strength, passion, and faith!
6:30 pm on January 24th, 2009 22
@ Rebecca Dufek:
I’m so humbled and grateful this story brought tears to your eyes! Thank you for letting me know. When I write stories like this, I am immediately transported back to the day and time it happened and I go through it all over again. It’s amazing what that can do for anyone’s writing when they’re in that state of mind!
What’s funny about that day is that even when I think about it or re-read my story, it still feels like a dream!
1:15 pm on February 8th, 2009 23
Stephen, beaches are perceived as tranquil places where a person can think without noisy distractions. Depends on the time of year of course, and how public or private and congested the location. At times, talking to people on a beach inspires revelations. It is also uplifting to reflect on the New Zealand film, Whale Rider. That is a remarkable story. Where you are is less important than how prepared you are to open your mind to endless possibilities.
2:52 am on February 15th, 2009 24
Hi Stephen,
I am really happy to have stumbled upon your blog here, especially having read this page. I am a senior at my university, majoring in Business, and I had thought that the world of Investment Banking was the only way to be “happy” in that the job will breed success, money, prestige, fancy dinners, etc. Because of the current market situation though, it’s been really tough for all of us to fight for the now limited number of jobs available, and I’ve faced my adversities in terms of career setbacks. I was really bummed out when I had not been called back for the final round interviews in October, but since then have realized more and more that everyone has a different calling and they should not succumb to the pressure of what everyone else is doing. In other words, I believe that if I were to have gone into banking straight from college, I would have had the AHA moment like you eventually. This article of yours really encouraged me to keep my head up high and follow my heart. I really appreciate you sharing your story!
8:55 am on February 15th, 2009 25
@ Jane:
How very delightful to hear from a university student in her last year of school who found something in a timely and useful manner. That’s great!
The mere mention of university instantly brought me back to the time when I was attending college and how much I actually miss the academic environment. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of returning to school these days - only thing is I’m not sure what to study! I know it won’t be business or any of those traditional disciplines - I’m looking more into spirituality, metaphysical, health/wellness and related disciplines.
Thanks for letting me know my story helped you have an “AH-HA” moment very early!