The Business of Consciousness

I have a few mottos that I live by, the first one is “We can change the world, one person at a time” the other one is “World Peace through Inner Peace”. These two sayings are completely interconnected. In fact, there are many ways to make a difference in our world, but I believe that each person’s rise to consciousness or “enlightenment” is the way it is happening right now…through personal development and education.

How is running a business based on education a way to bring more light into the world….let me tell you a little bit about my journey.

I was always aware of self -development through experiential education. This concept is really my purpose on this planet. Teaching others by way of experience, not lecturing, not demanding of learning, but having people see and feel how something relates to their hearts, their souls, their minds. Everyone has a view, a perception or a way an experience resonates within them, so each individual experience reaches a person on a unique level for self- growth and realization that may be able to transform them.

My experience in educating others has been a process over lifetimes, In my current life, as Andrea Michal , I have had many amazing mentors along the way and experiences that have led me to stepping into into this world of education. First, I was born to a wonderful Father that was an educator, a poor immigrant’s son who left home in Nebraska and made his way to New York, earning a B.A. and then a Masters in English Literature from Columbia University. He worked in many schools and Jewish institutions and started his own businesses (an after -day -school program and Summer Camp), helping children enjoy themselves and learn through positive and enriching life experiences.

I somewhat followed his path, although, of course, I had my own trail to blaze. I became a different kind of educator. I graduated from UCLA with a degree in Communications, and I also received a certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. Later on in my life, I returned to Graduate School, where I completed a Certificate of Evidenced Based Coaching and Organizational Development and Leadership. Working to create schools was my calling, and I was on various Board of Directors to help start and manage Jewish Day schools that were nurturing and progressive in their ability to look at each individual young student and meet their needs through experiential education.

On this journey of life, my spiritual world was awakening. I knew I had a special gift when I was just four years old… when I knew I wasn’t “Andrea” but a “being’ or “soul”  inside my temporary body. My spiritual journey is a whole story in itself, as written in my first book that is partly a memoir called Encounter The Light. The combination of my insight into my own self and the more grounded piece of my life, my world experiences on this earth, have given me the opportunity to open up my former business, New Moon Wellness. Here is how it all started:

When my father passed away, 7 years ago this summer, he left me with a small inheritance. I asked, myself what should I do with the money? Travel? Buy some material possessions? Or give back to others and make MY DREAMS into a reality.

My dream and intention of opening a “Community Center” for experiential education in order to uplift people and raise awareness, was my vision that came to fruition. It was built in the honor of my Father, who showed me the way of learning through teaching and role-modeling through learning with kindness and compassion. It was a Community Center in, what I believe to be, the spiritual vortex of Agoura Hills, California, and has been created as a sacred space for learning and self-development. It became  a HUB for connection and creation.

It wasn’t easy to create this space. No one thought it was a “good business idea” … A holistic Life Coaching office combined with a bar that serves Kombucha and organic snacks in the middle area and another space to meet people that looks like a living room, along with a spirit store that sells healing products and gift items…. “That can’t work” everyone said!! Well, nobody was going to tell me it was wrong.

The inception of the “Center” was like conceiving a baby to me. The brainstorm happened on a trip to the beautiful Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Mountains with my “Moon Sisters”(girlfriends who gave me their input and confidence to birth my idea). I spent eight months building the space, with the challenge of city and health permits, contractors and designers. I birthed a baby!! An infant of a business, that I didn’t really know what to do with, but like any other new mother, I nursed and nurtured it the best way I knew how to…. and the business grew. It became a toddler…with new challenges that I could not have imagined. It then transformed and developed into a beautiful child…with more growing pains along the way.

It gave me what I needed as well, a new entity to create, a new perspective on my life, a way to be in service to myself, to others and to the Divine Source in a higher and more enlightened way.

The conscious community center grounded me…it gave me meaning in this world of (sometimes) chaos, miscommunication and misunderstanding, and allowed everyone who walked in the door a new vision for their lives, a boost of light and power for how they can be in service and make a difference for those people surrounding them everyday. I called my bar, THE LOVE BAR, because that’s all we ever really need. Everyone received this love when they walked in the door. Connection was immediate with someone other than themselves in that special and sacred space and then BOOM…collaboration, creativity and sometimes, new conscious businesses were manifested and born.

I have since closed this business, only to write two books about my experiences and to help others on a much larger scale.

Yes, I took the risk and yes, I put my heart and soul into the making of this conscious business entity, and I know I had guidance from my angels along the way. While I have moved on from this business, I always remember the community that it created and have the feeling that they are supporting me in my new endeavors as an author, coach and speaker.

Being in the “business of consciousness” can be challenging and rewarding~ no matter the outcome. If our financial needs are met and we can create the business of our dreams; one that helps others and helps the world, we can feel more complete and fulfilled.

Take the risk… do what you feel your soul calls you toward. You will never regret the decision.

My books are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Also on my website: www.encounterthelight.com.

I invite you to purchase a copy and read it today!

Andrea