1) Tell us a little about you and what you do!

 My name is Laurence and for over a decade now I have been working in the hospitality industry. It wasn’t always my dream though. I actually started my studies at The Fashion Institute of Technology in the Fashion Design Program. I quickly found out that was not for me. I have always been creative, able to draw and craft, but I am not one for competition. Everything there was a competition… who could illustrate the best, who could sew the best and even on smoke breaks who could smoke the best… okay maybe not but it definitely felt like it. 

I found the hospitality industry through luck I would say. An internship in high school with Danny Meyer’s and the Union Square Hospitality Group opened my eyes to the possibilities of this industry and besides the short FIT stint I haven’t left it since. Over the last two years I have launched three catering companies, and one restaurant. Unfortunately the restaurant is now closed. It makes me sad to see things I have put so much time and energy in not work out, but it is also part of this industry. I am still doing catering, working for myself is a true pleasure, it is mind numbing at times. I have always been a problem solver, a hard worker and I feel like at times I truly make the impossible, possible. 

2) What is something that has impacted your journey this year and how has it changed you?

I am not sure I can just name one thing, there have honestly been so many this year, both good and bad. I feel like this year I have really begun to get closer with Spirit and that happened because earlier this year my sister Heather passed. I was blessed to be able to sit with Thomas John for a private reading and it really made me want to focus more on getting to know Spirit. More than that though, I also went to jail for three months. It can be a soul crushing experience and if I didn’t have spirit with me I know it would have been even worse. 

This year has had many lessons for me. The two most important would have to be boundaries and surrender. I am and always have been a very giving person and this year has taught me that I need to give to myself, as well as learn to not give so much of myself to others. I guess the theme of 2019 was growth for me, and when I didn’t want to Spirit kicked my ass till I got with the program. 

3) I know you got to meet Thomas John, what was the experience like?

Honestly it was surreal. He is so kind, and his gifts are just off the charts. Being able to have a private reading with him was definitely a highlight of my 2019! When I was sitting there it was like he was just picking things out of the air and he was definitely speaking to my recently passed sister. He told me that I came in with an entourage of Spirit and that they are always working on my behalf. That’s when I really thought “Hey, I need to know more!”.

4) In the restaurant industry, what is a key element in creating an enjoyable experience?

The employees. Above all else the employees! I can’t say how many times I have dined at a dump diner and had an amazing server and gone again and again… not because of the frozen hamburger, but because the server was fantastic! When the staff enjoys where they work, for who they work and with whom they work, you can really see how it can change the whole dynamic of a restaurant. 

5) How do you personally raise your vibration?

A) It starts with a breath. Sometimes we forget to breathe, and I’m not talking the little shallow breaths we take to get through the day. I am talking about the mind full breath. Relax your shoulders, cause mine are always up to my ears when I am stressed and just focus on the sound of your breath. Then I do an inventory of my body and direct any healing energy to spots that need attention. The grand finale is I imagine white, silver and gold light flowing through my body. We are all beings of light so I like to focus on that as I speak to spirit.  

6) Who are 3 people who have inspired you this year and why?

A)Thomas John: for someone who is so gifted he is so grounded and kind. He has reignited this yearning in myself to learn and know more. 

B) Raven Adams: left a job she hated to pursue her true passion, her gift and life purpose. She (you) is a true testament of self love and courage. She (you) doesn’t always realize how powerful she is, but I like to remind her of this and she does the same for me. 

C) Spirit: cause no matter how many times I ask the same question and pull the same card they will never leave me or judge me… even when I ask the same stupid question 12 different ways. Spirit puts up with my bullshit and I appreciate that. 

7) What’s a truth about you that most people don’t realize?

 I have this almost debilitating fear of being alone, but I also love my own space and solitude. It’s a little tricky and ironic. I’ve been working hard though with spirit, because if I seek spirit when I feel alone I begin to realize… duh no your not. 

8) What is one word that changed your life this year? SURRENDER

Spirit has been kicking my ass with this word. Like might as well have taken out ad space in Time Square and sat me right in front of it. It is EVERYWHERE! It really helped me though, especially when I was in jail. I just kept telling spirit and myself that I have to surrender to whatever happens and to whatever happens next. It was in that moment that I was still enough to really have a conversation with Spirit. It’s hard to get back to that mind frame. When you are in jail there is nothingness. It’s like a vacuum or deprivation chamber, it’s lonely and isolating. There I found solace and comfort in Spirit. 

9) What is one goal you want to accomplish this year?  

 Follow through- 

I want to learn more about my spirit guides

I want to learn more about myself

I need to build and maintain boundaries

Self love

10) What’s your advice to people that need to embrace change?

Surrender! If you don’t then you are going to have a very tough time swimming against the current. Trust me I know!