"I DO believe in spooks" - The Lion

Writing to you from Cotton Tree, Australia. Here visiting the grandkids and Aussie family and friends. 

My daughter and I are both reading Liane Moriarty's latest book, Here One Moment, which explores the intriguing premise of a psychic revealing to airplane passengers when and how they will die. 

This theme resonates at the moment, as I am facing incurable cancer and confronting the reality of death more directly each day. While we all confront the reality of death, some individual - particularly those grappling with terminal illness - experience this awareness more acutely. This heightened consciousness can profoundly influence our perspectives on life and the concept of an afterlife.

It has led me to reflect on mystics, psychics, and the idea of ghosts.

Interestingly, my 4-year-old grandson expresses no fear of swooping magpies, sharks, or spiders - only ghosts. I reassured him that ghosts are not real, yet it made me ponder. Are they truly nonexistent? He has not heard of Casper, the friendly ghost.

While we may not believe in ghosts, real estate agents know that the concept can significantly impact property sales; haunted houses are notoriously difficult to market.

The notion that the deceased linger in spirit is an ancient belief, echoed from the Bible to Macbeth, and it has given rise to a rich tradition of ghost stories. This belief connects to a broader framework of paranormal ideas, including near-death experiences, life after death, and communication with spirits. For many, the idea that our departed loved ones are watching over us or present during challenging times provides a comforting sense of connection and solace. Though I do not believe in the afterlife, I am fascinaated by ghosts - as pure energy, each embodying a unique and mysterious form.

As a physician I am well versed in the facts, but I cannot rely solely on data. Life is a miraculous journey, full of unpredictability. We must take it step by step, embracing each moment as it arrives. We need all the guidance we can gather—from witches, shamans, fortune-tellers, and weavers of wisdom. Meeting reality without fear is one of life’s essential challenges, for fear blinds us to the hidden paths at every fork in the road.

I bought a mood ring today. Remember those? Desperate times call for creative measures.

I will wander down to the beach, where the sand truly sings. With each step, it squeaks and whispers beneath my feet - a song born from the sliding layers of uniform grains, stirred by the shear of movement. This is one of Australia’s curious gifts, a tune found only where the air is pure, untouched by pollution. A touch of magic lingers here, woven into the shore’s quiet song.

Have a magical day🎱

Dr. Anna 👻

Anna Kopolovič