My name is Peggy, I'm from the Chicagoland area. I've been a quiet observer of this group since about January, despite having been prompted to post a few times in the past; I'm kind of a chicken what can I say, although there is no reason to be afraid of you wonderful people!
I guess the reason I'm posting now is because I feel like I'm on the verge of a major life change and I need the support and guidance of some kindred spirits who've been through it. I have a few I know personally that I've shared my experiences with, but I need to broaden my audience
I'll try to keep this as brief as possible, but I can already tell this will be a little long as it's been a long time coming. Thank you in advance for anyone who spares the time to read through it.
Ever since I was young, I've been fascinated by the esoteric, and I've always held beliefs about God and Jesus that didn't quite match up with anything I'd ever been exposed to, much the same as others on this board. I was raised as a Protestant but also had a lot of family in the UCC. We stopped going to church when I was 5 or so because my parents found out the church leadership for our congregation did not believe in evolution. I came to form my own opinions about religion and spirituality, basically coming to the conclusion that Jesus was our example to meet as far as how to treat others, and that there is some truth in all religion. I felt like I "sensed" spirits in my house when I was younger, and had a remarkable experience with a Ouija board...I didn't know what they were so I feared them. My parents told me they weren't real, but I even went so far as to hold my own "exorcism" one day. I had become so afraid of the things I couldn't see but knew where there, that I read from the Bible, lit a candle and asked to be left alone.
Looking back now, that's when it all "turned off". I started turning away from what I held right and dear and started making decisions to be "successful" or to make people proud of me. I'm a singer, I was successful at it in high school, and I thought I wanted to go into Musical Theater. Then my pragmatic self took over and I went into Accounting because I was good at it and it was less risky. I thought I wanted to climb the career ladder, I wanted to be a high powered executive, I wanted to break the glass ceiling. I'm currently a CPA in management at a large real estate firm with a good reputation and if I so chose, could stay at this company for a long time.
At least that's what I thought until last year. I'm 27 and my husband and I have always said we'd have kids around 30. Last year I started thinking...the office I work in now is not so bad, it's flexible with working mothers, I get to work from home 2 days a week, would it be so bad sticking it out in this role for another 3 years or so? Then I thought, do I even want to go back to work after I have kids? That was a BIG change in my belief structure at the time.
In January this year, I started seeing 11:11. I saw it four nights in a row. Then a fifth. Then I saw in the next morning, and my curiosity got the best of me, so I googled it. And now here I am. When I first stumbled upon this message board, I feeling of love enveloped me that I've experienced so many times since that I burst into grateful tears. It's a moment I will never forget.
The last few months I've been experimenting, growing, learning. Through meditation, reading of the UB, reading other books that have been led my way (The Akashic Records: Sacred Wisdom for Transformation by Ernesto Ortiz and Free Your Voice: Awaken Life Through Singing being two of them), falling down the rabbit hole of this message board. Last but not least, through my Reiki Teacher, Massage Therapist, and Kindred Spirit, Cindy.
I started going to Cindy in January after receiving a gift certificate for a massage; I have had chronic pain in my neck/shoulder from getting by a car while jogging on 11/11/11. Seriously. At first I didn't tell her, but I started visiting her each week and by the fifth week I was basically pushed into telling her about the numbers. Since then we have embarked on exposing me to Reiki; I am scheduling my second class right now. We both believe that our Spirit Helpers want us to work and learn together.
A few more numbers in my life:
My work office street address is 1111
My birthday is 7/17, my husband is 8/28. 1 month, 11 days apart. I believe we're meant to be together and our relationship was predicted by his great grandmother...a story for another time. My husband and I both see 717 and 828 all the time, I've come to believe that the 8's and 2's in particular are the calling card of my Teacher. I see them everywhere.
My parents married on 7/11
Between now and then, I've had a lot of internal fears to overcome, and I've had too many amazing experiences through meditation to document here, but I would like to share one. Early on in my meditation practice (maybe 2 or 3 weeks into Stillness practice), I believe I was visited by Jesus/Michael. I had been laying on the ground, stilling my mind, when someone knelt next to me and held my hand. I looked up and saw Jesus and just started bawling...he wanted to visit me and congratulate me on my progress because I was advancing very quickly. I had a hard time believing it at first, but what's a bigger lesson than, "Stop Doubting!"
Finally as to why I'm posting now. Up until yesterday, I thought I was going to be getting a promotion at work. I received a job offer on Wednesday last week, countered on Thursday and was waiting for their response. Then I get a call yesterday.
The offer was rescinded.
I've been through a lot of ups and downs since yesterday. Downs being...I felt like I was led specifically to this position, what happened, did I miss a lesson somewhere? To the Ups, where I realize that this just means that there is something else meant for me. I'm beginning to feel like this is the Universe kicking me in the butt to finally commit myself to my true path, a Teacher/Healer.
Problem is I don't know what that will look like...the more I think about it, the more I feel like it will be in a form I can't even imagine right now. I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. The Reiki is the first step, but I also feel drawn towards sound healing (especially from the voice), massage therapy, perhaps not abandoning finance altogether and going into a Not For Profit...there are too many options, and not always a clear path for learning those types of skills.
For those of you who are now Teacher/Healers, how did you get your start? Did you change careers to do so? How did you know which path was the right one?
This experience will always be there for you to remember and cherish and feel all over again when needed. I am so happy for you!!!! Thank you for allowing us to share a little of that joy that came through your words! 
Its hard to explain this to people who would love to see me on a more accepted path to the Divine Father. (My parents. 
You are being guided even as we speak, from within, and from there comes the very best of trusted answers.
In fact, it is you all who brighten my day. 
