By Marjorie Young

It was a seemingly ordinary moment that entirely changed my life. I was thirteen, newly arrived in San Francisco after my parents’ divorce, when my married older sister phoned to invite my elder brother to the movies. An intriguing double-bill was playing; the popular Western ‘The Magnificent Seven’ was paired with ‘Seven Samurai’…the classic Japanese film which inspired it. Luckily, Lowell had no interest in going, so I asked if I might come along instead. I still remember her skeptical warning that one of the films had subtitles. “I can read!” I had retorted. And so, Barbara relented and off we went.

The Western was certainly entertaining, but it was the Japanese masterpiece that completely and utterly enthralled. I had never seen any foreign film till then, nor had I likely given a single thought to Japan. Why should the tale of downtrodden peasants seeking stray samurai to defend their village from marauders completely overwhelm my imagination and galvanize my spirit? I knew, stumbling out of that theatre, that my life had taken a new direction. Not only would I learn more about Japan…its films, history, and culture…but that I would go there to live. I knew this without the slightest doubt in the world.

And indeed, there was no looking back. I became a teenage expert in Japanese cinema which, in its heyday, had created some of the greatest movies ever seen. I studied Japanese history along with its great literary tradition. There was absolutely nothing in my own background to account for this magnetic attraction, but I never thought to question it, for it brought immense satisfaction and joy. My family had no money at all, but I hardly saw that as an obstacle. I worked, saved, and in my early twenties, took off for Tokyo. The moment the plane landed, an inner voice declared, ‘I’ve come home.’ And home it was for the next twenty years. I was even fortunate enough to meet many of the actors, directors, composers, and writers that had so inspired me in the first place.

My life has been ‘guided’ in instance after instance. I always embrace these episodes without hesitation, knowing if I followed, it would unfailingly result in unimagined opportunities to learn, grow, and enrich my existence.

I believe many of us encounter such moments in the course of our lifetimes. However, not all are bold, determined, or confident enough to latch on to them. Instead, they may be shrugged off, with excuses manufactured to turn a deaf ear. However, the ‘recipient’ in the end, will forever detect the echo of that clarion call and come to regret relinquishing it.

Our lives are made up of momentous moments which are often cloaked in everyday disguise. Not all ‘messages’ come in the form of thunderbolts! But we must be open to recognizing them in whatever guise they take; to fully embrace the marvel of inspiration and boldly follow wherever it beckons; whether to foreign lands, ‘exotic’ activities, or any realm beyond our comfort zone or pre-programmed concept of what our lives should be. And then prepare to reap the boundless rewards of an open heart and mind.

Marjorie is available for readings at the Ballard Sunday Market, her Ballard home, or by phone.
Please email her: myballardpsychic@gmail.com

See her fantasy/adventure series: www.theboywithgoldeneyes.com
Follow her on Twitter: @psychicmargie