When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with cries of “Me too!” be sure to cherish them because those weirdos are your tribe.
Sitting in my hotel room, looking over Mackinaw, and listening to the waves soothingly spray against the sandy beach, I allowed my mind to settle with thoughts of the recent weekend.
This weekend Chuck and I traveled to Sault Ste Marie (the SOO), Michigan for the 6th Annual Michigan Paranormal Conference. Last year I was honored at the invitation to present several gallery readings, and was just as honored when I was invited back to not only do gallery readings but also to give a presentation. The conference typically runs the second week of August and in years past I would look at my friends’ social media pages, with all of the fun updates and photos, and make a mental note to try and get up there. Our issue in the past was that weekend was always the birthday weekend of our daughters’ Micaela and Molly. Family first. The so-called kids are no longer kids, and thanks to the calendar their birthdays run further into the week (August 11th and 12th), and so we jumped at the chance to see what the fuss was all about. This year had a bit of a different feel than last, more than likely because of different guests (last year had a horror flavor, while this year stayed consistent to the paranormal). Thursday was spent getting the table ready with books and product and resting up, or gambling, or hanging with new and old friends as they trickled in. Friday was insanely busy, but in a good way. I went through over 80 books of books, spent over 3 hours in a gallery reading (it was supposed to be 1 hour!) and came back to the table that Chuck was manning, dead tired, both energetically from the people, and physically due to people above us in our room who were extra noisy and paced back and forth. We called it a night at 9 PM. The other reason that we called it early was I was giving a presentation on dreams, premonitions and visits bright and early at 9 AM.
The morning came fast and my nerves were getting the best of me that I became the annoying one who was pacing. When I stepped up on stage, after a beautiful introduction from one of the organizers Tim Ellis (that made me cry), and tripped, all of my nerves went away. Yes, I tripped, but I wouldn’t expect anything different from myself and the laughter shook my nervousness away. I wish I could give you every detail of Saturday, but I can’t, mainly because it was a whirlwind of love, sharing, and connections that blended together in a tapestry of understanding. Without any food since the evening before, I finally ate around 7 PM and was able to relax.
I’ve heard many complain that the paranormal and metaphysical community is filled with cliques, jealousies, and back stabbing (goodness, isn’t life like that as a whole, to some degree?), but there’s something special about MIPARACon that can’t be explained as much as it has to be felt. I’ve been to several paranormal and metaphysical conferences and this one is my favorite – hands down. Yes, it’s a trek far north, and maybe that’s part of the difference; it feels comfortable. Laid back. Organized. Like coming home to see family you love. Even those people you don’t know well, or have never met before, you are welcomed into a community of para-family with open arms and understanding. There are so many people, with many different views, and not everybody agrees or is unified, but that’s the beauty of it because there is still camaraderie and love despite the quirks.
The organizers haven’t yet announced next year’s conference, but when they do, I urge you to mark your calendars to attend. It isn’t as much going to search for the unknown, but to spend time with the people who search for the unknown. What a beautiful community they are. If this isn’t your cup of tea, I urge you to go out of your comfort zone because it is then that you may just find your tribe. Thank you all who did attend! For sharing your stories, dreams and experiences, buying my books (well over 100 sold!), giving me hugs, and trusting in me to make the connections. I’m truly so grateful.
I believe in YOU!
Believe,
Kristy
www.kristyrobinett.com
Kristy Robinett is an intuitive, life coach and author of several books. She is a mom and wife who loves farmhouses, front porches, iced tea and old cemeteries. Find Kristy at www.kristyrobinett.com or on Facebook.
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