A Friendship That Changed Everything.
You know that quote that floats around the internet—something about how people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime?
It may be a bit of pop psychology, but when I reflect on my own journey, I realize just how true it is.
But here’s the thing they don’t mention: some people come into your life for all of the above.
For me, that person is Michelle.
Michelle first entered my world as a participant in one of my training sessions when I was still building a center in Amsterdam for my previous company.
She had just given birth to her first daughter and was navigating the rocky terrain of being both a new mom and a businesswoman.
I could completely relate—I was also juggling motherhood with running a company after Thom was born.
In many ways, Michelle was a mirror for me. That was the REASON she came into my life.
After her training ended, Michelle disappeared from my radar until three years later when she reached out, asking me to train some of her salespeople.
By then, I was deep into getting Open Circles off the ground with Yoni.
We invited her to our home to discuss the idea.
Nothing ever came of it, but something magical happened—she and Yoni hit it off and became fast friends.
Whenever we met, Michelle would dive into conversations so esoteric that, despite Yoni and I conducting workshops on spirituality, shamanism, and personal development, even we found some of her topics to be way out there.
But she was a delight to be around, and her positive energy was downright infectious.
What drew us to her even more was her boundless generosity.
Michelle had a truly Enlightened Millionaire Mindset, and I do mean literally—she was a millionaire who, along with her brother, had built a business empire.
Her heart was as big as her bank account, and she poured both into causes she believed in.
In 2000, while discussing our new spiritual retreat program with her, Michelle casually mentioned that she had just purchased a manor house in Glen Lyon, one of Scotland’s most spiritual Glens.
She offered it to us for our retreats, and just like that, our friendship entered its SEASON phase.
For the next four years, we hosted week-long retreats at Invervar Lodge, Michelle’s stunning manor in Glen Lyon.
Those were transformative times, where participants connected deeply with their vision and life purposes.
We explored ancient stone circles, meditated in druid caves, and marveled at the Praying Hands of Mary.
The highlight was always our pilgrimage to Schiehallion, the mysterious mountain, where we descended into underground tunnels and emerged with a profound sense of rebirth.
It wasn’t lost on us that our very first retreat at Glen Lyon concluded on September 11, 2001—a day of global transformation. We didn’t even know about the attacks until we reached the airport in Glasgow.
The world had changed while we were tucked away in that magical glen.
For those four years, our summer vacations were spent at Invervar Lodge, filled with laughter, learning, and the joy of Michelle’s company.
When she eventually sold the place, it aligned perfectly with our own transition from personal development to business programs. We were, as always, in sync.
Yet, even as life shifted, our bond with Michelle remained.
Whenever we found ourselves at a crossroads, Michelle would somehow sense it and call, launching into tales of her latest adventures. Amidst her ramblings, there was always a nugget of wisdom that guided us forward.
Michelle’s journey took her to the northern tip of Scotland, where she purchased an estate in Thurso with a building dating back to the 18th century. Not content with just restoring it, she launched programs for at-risk youth in that rundown town.
I told you—she’s an enlightened millionaire!
In 2023, I decided to walk down memory lane and revisit Glen Lyon.
Of course, it was only natural that I’d continue up north to see Michelle in her “new” place.
The visit was a joy and a reminder that our friendship had indeed blossomed into a LIFETIME connection.
Michelle has been my reason, my season, and my lifetime—proof that some people are meant to be all three.
