Sonia, Signs and Serendipity

My mentor, the amazing Sonia, once advised me to write about my struggles and to keep writing, even in my darkest moments. What I am sharing today, however, is more about joy than sorrow. It is about magic and synchronicities and a few of the magical experiences Sonia brought me.

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W.B. Yeats.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a soft spot for magicians. One of my uncles knew a few tricks that he would always perform for us kids, mostly with cards and coins - although I remember a scary thing with a needle he pretended to drive into his forehead. He was a very good prestidigitator but beyond that, he was truly delighted to play with us and he had as much fun as we did. Delight is contagious. Maybe it was that unadulterated joy that had me hooked, in any case that passion never left me. I still love magicians, and their magic always resonates with me, and fills me with joy, gratitude and wonder.

Even when I try to understand what they do and how - indeed, even when I think I do understand - they never fail to amaze and delight me. These moments help me I remember who I really am, and reconnect with my spirit. They help me remember that I have never really lost this childlike ability to marvel, to welcome surprises and to fully live in the now. I think that's why the universe has chosen to send me so much magic and so many magicians. It is a sign I always recognize and appreciate. My heart tells me that they are meant to reassure me, confirm that I am on the right path, and remind me that my spirit is joyful, childlike, passionate and happy.

A few years ago, I went to a wedding on my own. It was the first time in many years that I didn't have a plus one and I felt shy and awkward on my own. Trying to feel happy for the newlyweds when I worried about my own personal life was also hard. At that time, I was just feeling raw, angry and terrified. Just when I was feeling really lonely and sorry for myself, a magician appeared out of nowhere and started to perform card tricks at the table next to mine, where all the children and teenagers were sitting. Needless to say, I got up and went to their table to get a better view. It didn't last very long, just a few minutes, but that was enough to bring me back to the present and to remind me that there was joy in that moment.

A few weeks later, after one of the most horrendous rows with a loved-one who was starting to sound more and more like an enemy, I was so upset that even going out for a long walk didn't quiet my thoughts. I just kept reliving the argument over and over with each step. I don't know why, on an impulse I suddenly decided to go to the pictures and to take my mind off my problems for an hour and a half. When I looked at the program, the one title that literally jumped out at me was Now You See Me, a film about magicians. Admittedly, watching that movie didn't change my circumstances. What really helped me was that I consciously decided to do something positive, to take time for myself, to enjoy myself and stop thinking about my problems. And I did enjoy myself. When I came home, that evening, I knew I would be fine, no matter what happened to me. I knew that even if the worst came to the worst and that relationship had to end, I could be self-reliant and strong and get over it. After that, I decided to systematically look for signs and to ask for them more and more often.

This is where Sonia, my mentor, comes back into my story. Her advice - directly or through her books and online lessons - has helped me make some of the quickest and most spectacular changes in my life. One of the things I learned was to trust my intuition and to stop constantly second-guessing every decision that felt right. It is not always easy to get out of my mind and I know it will take a lot of practice but I have noticed I do feel a lot better when I do. A few months after that wedding, I went to one of Sonia's workshops for the first time.

It was a difficult time in my life. The career changes I was considering were risky and I needed support more than ever, but several meaningful relationships had just imploded and I felt friendless and isolated. On my way to Paris, I couldn't help worry once more about my situation, and wondering once again if it might not be more reasonable not to take risks about my future. Then, I arrived and immersed myself in the experience of being in Paris. The workshop itself truly was a powerful experience. Sonia has an amazingly positive energy that stays with you for a long, long time. She is also a wonderful teacher and mentor.

Among other things, we talked about the signs we receive when we are looking for guidance, and the fact that, indeed, there are signs everywhere. I had intentionally not made any plans for that evening, partly because I didn't want to go back to my "normal" life too soon. Somehow, I also knew it was going to be a special day all the way through and that I had to be open to whatever came my way. Sure enough, after we left Sonia's apartment, some of us went for a drink. Then, Nora and I kept talking long after the others had gone and decided to have dinner together.

We ended up in an Italian restaurant, where we kept exchanging impressions and experiences and having a great time. At another table, two young men were also talking animatedly. About half an hour into our meal, one of them suddenly asked me if he could show me a card trick. Seeing our enthusiasm, he performed a few more tricks and explained that it was his passion and he wanted to make a living out of it, if he could. Was it just a coincidence that a magician zoomed in on me, when there were so many other people in that restaurant? Was it just a coincidence that Nora had previously worked for an event planner and could give him useful professional advice? I didn't think so. I decided to see it as another sign that the Universe sends us what we need when we need it.

Fast forward a year, Boxing Day 2017. I was in Northumberland, taking a long leisurely walk along the beach when I received a message from Sonia. One of her friends was looking for a translator and she had a feeling we would work well together. When the friend in question sent me a sample text to translate, it was about the magic inside all of us and how to release our inner genie. As it turned out, he was a professional magician, who had just written a book on creativity. Not only was the translating job a pure delight, but I learned many useful tips from the author and the book.

Fast forward again, to January 2021. In the wonderful community of light workers that Sonia has created around her, another one of her students, a beautiful young woman, has decided to learn magic tricks and shares the most amazing videos. In this time of gloom and uncertainty, Jordana's spirit and her videos always are a moment of pure joy.

I've learned to look for magic everywhere and to fully appreciate it, when it comes my way. And it keeps coming! The other day, I went to the market and I overheard a conversation between a little boy and his father.

- Daddy, I have super powers.

- Do you?

- Yes, I have mazzical powers. But you don't have any mazzic, Daddy, do you?

- No, I don't.

I felt a bit sorry for the father but also very sure that his little boy would find a way to teach him that life is magical and there is magic everywhere, even for "regular" people.

Because I see this magic everywhere, I've never appreciated life as much as I do today. Because my eyes are open, I am constantly amazed and delighted. Yes, life truly is magical. It's also messy, confusing and sometimes extremely hard but that's all right. If you can see the magic, it makes up for all the rest. I still don't have all the answers and I know I never will but that's all right too. I don't need to know everything, only what I want to do next. I am guided step by step, and I do receive answers and miracles when I ask for them and when I am open to receiving them. That's also part of the magic.

xxx

Anne-Lyse Roques Hutton

Author, dreamer, creator, translator of words, ideas and dreams. In love with books, philosophies, people and life.