I have never been a man who has gone to seance evenings, had the urge to meet those ‘connected to the other side’, or actively sought to join the spirit world. So it surprises me that twice in my life, I have had two defining ‘spiritual’ moments, one as recently as a month ago.The first was in about 1982 when I was working as a cub reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post in Leeds, West Yorkshire. I can’t remember exactly where I was, other than to say it was at a packed venue, probably a mayoral function in the Civic Hall. I can recall, quite clearly, standing on some kind of raised platform, looking out across a crowded room of 500 or so people. It’s weird, I know, but a lightning crack ‘corridor’ slowly began to appear amongst the people present, and a woman began snaking her way down the resulting space. I don’t know why but every bone in my body knew she was coming to speak to me. She eventually strolled over and stopped at my feet. She had a kind face, round, full cheeks and a lovely smile. I didn’t know her from Adam, but she took my hand, placed it between her palms, looked deeply into my eyes and said: “‘You don’t know me but I am a medium and I have been sent a message for YOU”. The ‘you’ was so pointed that it was obvious that she felt she had been sent to speak, quite specifically, to me, Phil Hopkins. A few people standing around the woman paused to watch as stared intently into my eyes and added: “I have been told to tell you that you are a lighthouse and, over your life, ships in distress will come to you. You need to know this and I have been told to tell you.” Then she stroked my face, strode away and I never saw her againAll my life ships in distress have found me. I don’t want to sound arrogant, or like some kind of pseudo prophet, but it’s true….sex abuse victims, women who have had abortions, suicide attempt victims…..and the rest, and, in each and every case, I have tried to listen and advise, as best I could. That experience all those years ago, enabled me to be ‘ready’ and prepared me for listening. If you do not listen you can never hear above the noise of your own voice. If you cannot hear you never learn and, if you never properly assimilate what is going on around, then how will you ever profit, financially or otherwise, from what is being said to you?Whenever I tell people this story they are often amazed – not always! – and ask why they have never had such an experience. I don’t know, I really don’t. If you do tell me! But, about a month ago, it happened again for the second time in my life, totally unprompted.I was in London prospecting for new clients and had privately been debating whether or not to open an office in the capital. Yes I should, no I shouldn’t, perhaps I can catch the bus to London every day? The questions I asked myself were endless. I was standing in an underground station in rush hour. The platform was crowded, people crammed together like sardines.The train entered the platform and as people started to clear – some getting on the train, others exiting the station – a young woman (she was about 30), touched my arm and said: “This may seem a bit strange but could I have a word?”. Before I realised what I was saying I had replied “of course”. She was clearly articulate, well dressed and not some kind of ‘nut case’! She added: “I’m often sent messages and, strange though it may seem, I have one for you.” I was stunned into silence as the incident of 1982 raced into my mind. What on earth was she about to say?Bearing in mind that I had been contemplating the opening of a London office, the woman began her short monologue: “HE wants you to know that HE knows what you’re thinking. HE knows you have a big decision to make. HE wants you to know that the timing is right and that you should do it. That’s all.”Who was ‘He’? God, my later father or Uncle John? I am convinced it was one of them. More to the point, who on earth was she? She hit the nail on the head and clearly someone, in my opinion, spoke to me. Rightly or wrongly I listened to those words and, last month, I opened an office in London. In the first four weeks I have quoted thousands of pounds in new work. Sometimes, just sometimes, things happen for a reason. Open your mind and don’t let cynicism or atheism cloud your judgement. Once in a while there are forces greater than the economy at work!
