Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Virtual Tour for Empaths
I hope we empaths don't get overstimulated in the process, but my friends and I are going on a book tour together for my new book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You. It's not a typical book tour that drives all over town from one bookstore to another signing copies of the book. Instead, it is an online blog tour and you are cordially invited to come along with me as I drop by more than twenty blogs.
At each stop, I will leave audio clips, video clips, written interviews, links to radio interviews, book excerpts, media releases, and content-rich articles. Visitors get to read something new each day as they follow the book tour from blog to blog.
Topics include the following:
Here is the tour schedule:
At each stop, I will leave audio clips, video clips, written interviews, links to radio interviews, book excerpts, media releases, and content-rich articles. Visitors get to read something new each day as they follow the book tour from blog to blog.
Topics include the following:
- Authors Must Learn to Sell What They Write
- Clearing Your Energy Field
- Detaching Politely Before You Reach Your Limit
- Empathic Babies, Children, and Teens
- How I Published My Book on Empathy Fatigue
- Identifying Your Own Energy
- Setting Boundaries with People
- Stories from an Empath
- Why I Wrote a Book for Empaths
- 5 Steps for Developing Your Intuition
- Characteristics of an Untrained Empath
- Difference Between Empathy and Intuition, The
- Excerpts from the book
- Gift of Intuition Reveals a Sister’s Secret, The
- Influence Ghosts Have Upon Human Emotions, The
- Make the Voices Stop!
- Psychology of Empathy, The
- Q&A Interview with the Author
- Temper Tantrums ~ An Opportunity to Teach Your Child How to Process Emotions
- There’s a Ghost in Our House. Can We Keep Him?
- Understanding Empathy
- What Is an Empath?
- When Fear Turns into an Anxiety Problem
- Why I Chose to Self-publish My Book About Empathic Overload
Here is the tour schedule:
- Join the pre-tour warm-up on Wednesday, February 23 as Dr. Caron Goode and Yvonne Perry chat with @LynnSerafinn on Garden of the Soul Radio at 6 p.m. UK Time, 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Another running start for the tour is on Saturday, February 26 Joyce Shafer will share an article in her State of Appreciation Newsletter: http://stateofappreciation.webs.com// Follow @JoyceShafer.
- Monday, February 28 - The Shift Guru Barbara Joye will host an article by Yvonne titled "5 Steps for Developing your Intuition" http://shiftguru.wordpress.com/. Follow @TheShiftGuru.
- Tuesday, March 1 - Joanne Sprott (@muselady11) will host Yvonne on Beyond Words Radio Show at Believe in the Moment radio http://www.believeinthemoment.com/bitm-radio.html.
- Wednesday, March 2 - Carol Denbow (@author101) will share an article titled “Why Yvonne wrote the book” on her blog, A Book Inside http://abookinside.blogspot.com/.
- Thursday, March 3- @positivepresent Dani will post an article: "Psychology of Empathy" on her blog, Positively Present http://www.positivelypresent.com/.
- Friday, March 4 - Irene Conlan @ieconlan has an article: "Setting Boundaries with People" to share on The Self Improvement Blog.
- Saturday, March 5 - Shelagh Jones @SpiritusShelagh will be hosting an audio interview with Yvonne for her Spiritus blog.
- Sunday, March 6 - Penny Ehrenkranz @pennyehrenkranz Article: "How Yvonne Published the Book" on One Writer's Journey http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/
- Monday, March 7 - Doreen Pendgracs @wizardofwords will be sharing an article from Yvonne titled: "Why I Chose to Self-publish My Book About Empathic Overload." See http://doreenisthewizardofwords.blogspot.com/
- Tuesday, March 8 - Nickolove Lovemore @nickolove Skyline Coaching Blog http://www.skylinecoachingblog.com/ has a video clip, an excerpt from the book, an article “Clearing Your Energy Field,” and a book review.
- Wednesday, March 9 - Callie Carling @moonpoppy shares a video, book review, and article on her blog, Empowered Healer http://www.empoweredhealer.co.uk/
- Thursday, March 10 - Irene Conlan (@ieconlan) hosts Yvonne on The Self Improvement Radio Show.
- Friday, March 11 - Dr. Caron Goode @parent_coach shares an interview with Yvonne & a video on the Academy for Coaching Parents International http://academyforcoachingparents.com/blog/
- Saturday, March 12 - Dr. Caron Goode will be joining Shelagh Jones @SpiritusShelagh for an audio interview about the psychology of empathy. See Spiritus blog.
- Monday, March 14 - Soulmate Coach Crystal @soulmatecoachc shares an article about detaching politely http://www.soulmatecoachcrystal.blogspot.com/
- Tuesday, March 15 - Lisa Jackson @lisajjackson shares her question & answer interview on Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
- Wednesday, March 16 - Pat Bertram @PatBertram has an article, “ Stories from an Empath,” on Dragon My Feet: http://dragonmyfeet.wordpress.com/
- Thursday, March 17 has two stops: Elizabeth Bennett @PeerAbuse will post an article: “Empathy in Children and Teens” on http://www.peerabuse.blogspot.com/ AND Barbara Techel @joyfulpaws shares a YouTube video on Joyful Paws http://www.joyfulpaws.typepad.com/
- Friday, March 18 - Barbara Joye (@TheShiftGuru) will share her interview with Yvonne on her Creative Cafe Radio Show: www.blogtalkradio.com/shiftguru.
- Monday, March 21 - Reno Lovison Marketing Communications Services presents an article “Authors Must Learn to Sell What They Write” on his Business Card to Business Blog: http://businesscardtobusiness.com/blog. Follow @renoweb
- Tuesday, March 22 - Anne Lyken-Garner @esther96 has a media release on http://www.abloggersbooks.com/
- Wednesday, March 23 - Dr. Caron Goode @parent_coach presents a book excerpt and press release on her blog, Kids Who See Ghosts http://kidswhoseeghosts.com/blog/.
- Thursday, March 24 - Faith Ranoli interviews Yvonne on @positiveradio Heart and Home Radio Show http://healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveHH.htm
- Friday, March 25 - Vonnie Faroqui @inkslngrswhmz has an article on Ink Slinger's Whimsey blog http://inkslingerswhimsey.blogspot.com/
- Monday, March 28 - Dr. Caron Goode @parent_coach shares a book excerpt on Raising Intuitive Children blog http://raisingintuitivechildren.com/blog/.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Proof of the Afterlife - The Conversation Continues
It’s a true story about one man's crossing over to the Other Side in September of 2005, when, after an out of control heart arrhythmia at 1:15am, he wakes up dead in the afterlife, and comes back thirty minutes later to tell about it. In the words of his family physician, "Dude, you have been somewhere very few people ever return from." Since that time, this book also chronicles his somewhat unusual daily life - one of frequent God-encounters, and visits from the other side by family and friends on a mission to facilitate love, mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Contact the author directly for media interviews and speaking engagements. Get your own personal copy of the book at http://www.servantsofthefather.org/buy_proof_of_the_afterlife . Come along for your own hope-filled journey into the reality of eternal life. Do you know people who are struggling with family, relationships, terminal illness or just life in general? This book will lead you to concrete, indisputable, life-changing and reassuring facts: God is real! He is alive and well, and in control. Your family and friends who have passed on are very much alive. They love you and are waiting for you to come home.
Cautionary Note: While reading Proof of the Afterlife – The Conversation Continues, God-encounters may be possible, weeping and grieving may occur, and peace may flood your soul. Uncontrollable laughter and joy may follow!
All the proceeds of Mercy Books go to benefit the homeless in America. Contact the author today for media interviews and speaking engagements at Contact@ServantsoftheFather.org.
The book retails for $19.95 and is available for direct customer ordering by calling 1-800-BookLog (266-5564) or on the Internet at http://www.servantsofthefather.org/buy_proof_of_the_afterlife. Beginning March 1, 2011, it will also be available at all Barnes and Noble Stores, BarnesandNoble.com as well as Amazon.com.
Contact: Author, Br. Gary Joseph
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Methods to Help Highly-sensitive People Shield Themselves from Detrimental Energy
Humans are connected in many ways: the air we breathe, our basic needs and physiology, and energetically/spiritually. No one feels the power of this connection more than the energy-sensitive people, known as empaths, who unknowingly pick up on the detrimental thoughts, feelings, and even the illnesses of others and their environment. Many carry this negativity as if it were their own. In fact, some empaths are so burdened with the energy of others, they are no longer aware of what their own energy feels like. Mysterious illnesses, anxiety attacks, hearing voices, seeing shadows, feeling negative, fearful, anger, or having an impending sense of dread,— you name it, they feel it. And most empathic people have no idea where this stuff is coming from.
“Around your physical body, there is a magnetic shield of energy known as your aura. Its purpose is to provide protection and gather energy and information as you interface with your environment. In grade school, we were taught to keep our hands to ourselves. The same is true with the energy field surrounding our body,” writes Nashville author Yvonne Perry in her new book, WHOSE STUFF IS THIS? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You.“Ideally, your energy field should be kept two to three feet from your body, but many untrained empaths unknowingly allow their aura to extend and blend with the energy fields of others who have lax boundaries around their auras. When empathic people tap into the thoughts or emotional impulses of another person, the intuitive gift of empathy (much stronger than heart-felt compassion) reaches in and absorbs energy in an effort to heal or ‘fix’ whatever is out of sync. In doing so, the empath can become contaminated with unhealthy energy. Unfortunately, most of them do not know how to clear the psychic clutter in their auric field.”
Yvonne is joined by psychotherapist Dr. Caron B. Goode, ED.D., NCC, DAPA to provide a fresh perspective on the psychological aspect of empathy and intuition. “Some of the characteristics that empaths display can also be diagnosed as ADD, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, or clinical depression,” says Caron. “Most doctors and counselors are not aware that empathy fatigue exists, much less how to treat it, but this intuitive overload is a very real problem to energy-sensitive people.” Caron is the author of Raising Intuitive Children and Kids Who See Ghosts - Guide Them Through Their Fears
.
“Yvonne Perry's book thoroughly explains the process of being an empath in today's world. She provides cognitive, emotional, physical, energetic, and spiritual explanations for the origin of deep empathy, while sharing her own amazing story and the stories of others,” says transformational coach Gini Grey. “This book offers an array of powerful techniques to help empathic people create healthy boundaries, stay balanced, and release other people's energy and emotions from their personal space. This book is a must read for anyone and everyone who is sensitive to the thoughts, moods and problems of those around them.” Gini is the author of FROM CHAOS TO CALM: How to Shift Unhealthy Stress Patterns and Create Your Own Balance in Life.
Yvonne is a graduate of American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics. For years she was enmeshed with the dogma of religion that her family and church leaders passed down to her. Before she had a label to put on her empathetic ability, she called herself an intercessor. While praying for others she empathically took on their suffering until it severely challenged her emotional and physical health. Embracing a totally different path and belief system, she now openly uses the gift of empathy to help others heal their lives. See http://WhoseStuffIsThis.com
“Around your physical body, there is a magnetic shield of energy known as your aura. Its purpose is to provide protection and gather energy and information as you interface with your environment. In grade school, we were taught to keep our hands to ourselves. The same is true with the energy field surrounding our body,” writes Nashville author Yvonne Perry in her new book, WHOSE STUFF IS THIS? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You.“Ideally, your energy field should be kept two to three feet from your body, but many untrained empaths unknowingly allow their aura to extend and blend with the energy fields of others who have lax boundaries around their auras. When empathic people tap into the thoughts or emotional impulses of another person, the intuitive gift of empathy (much stronger than heart-felt compassion) reaches in and absorbs energy in an effort to heal or ‘fix’ whatever is out of sync. In doing so, the empath can become contaminated with unhealthy energy. Unfortunately, most of them do not know how to clear the psychic clutter in their auric field.”
Yvonne is joined by psychotherapist Dr. Caron B. Goode, ED.D., NCC, DAPA to provide a fresh perspective on the psychological aspect of empathy and intuition. “Some of the characteristics that empaths display can also be diagnosed as ADD, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, or clinical depression,” says Caron. “Most doctors and counselors are not aware that empathy fatigue exists, much less how to treat it, but this intuitive overload is a very real problem to energy-sensitive people.” Caron is the author of Raising Intuitive Children and Kids Who See Ghosts - Guide Them Through Their Fears
.“Yvonne Perry's book thoroughly explains the process of being an empath in today's world. She provides cognitive, emotional, physical, energetic, and spiritual explanations for the origin of deep empathy, while sharing her own amazing story and the stories of others,” says transformational coach Gini Grey. “This book offers an array of powerful techniques to help empathic people create healthy boundaries, stay balanced, and release other people's energy and emotions from their personal space. This book is a must read for anyone and everyone who is sensitive to the thoughts, moods and problems of those around them.” Gini is the author of FROM CHAOS TO CALM: How to Shift Unhealthy Stress Patterns and Create Your Own Balance in Life.
Yvonne is a graduate of American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics. For years she was enmeshed with the dogma of religion that her family and church leaders passed down to her. Before she had a label to put on her empathetic ability, she called herself an intercessor. While praying for others she empathically took on their suffering until it severely challenged her emotional and physical health. Embracing a totally different path and belief system, she now openly uses the gift of empathy to help others heal their lives. See http://WhoseStuffIsThis.com
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Do Not Stay at My Grave and Weep
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Are You Energy Sensitive?
If you are empathic (energy sensitive) enough to know when a loved one is communicating with you from the afterlife, you are probably sensitive to a lot more environmental energy than you realize. My new book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings,and Energy of Those Around You, is for people who are adversely affected by detrimental energy.
With more than two dozen proven and effective ways to clear your energy field, this guidebook employs empowering, proactive techniques to manage your own energy. With a chapter on the psychology of empathy by Dr. Caron Goode, this book presents the personal story of how I learned to psychically protect myself.
• Shield yourself from unwanted energy as you develop emotional intelligence
• Offer compassion without paying a personal price
• Set boundaries and detach from environmental stimuli including the energy of people and entities
• Raise your vibration to a level that makes you invisible to lower-vibrating energy
I will be on tour during the months of February and March to let others know about this book. You are welcome to join me as I post informative articles and videos about intuition, empathy fatigue, energy overload, setting boundaries with entities, developing your intuition, the influence ghosts have upon human emotions, how to make the voices stop, the psychology of empathy, what to do if there’s a ghost in your house, and several question and answer sessions with me.
See the tour schedule at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/
The e-book version is now available on Amazon.com for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices. $9.99
If you prefer the PDF version, it is available through PayPal. Click the Buy Now button (below) to add it to your cart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please subscribe to my empathy blog to get a message when the printed version of this book is ready. Pub date is February 15.
With more than two dozen proven and effective ways to clear your energy field, this guidebook employs empowering, proactive techniques to manage your own energy. With a chapter on the psychology of empathy by Dr. Caron Goode, this book presents the personal story of how I learned to psychically protect myself.
• Shield yourself from unwanted energy as you develop emotional intelligence
• Offer compassion without paying a personal price
• Set boundaries and detach from environmental stimuli including the energy of people and entities
• Raise your vibration to a level that makes you invisible to lower-vibrating energy
I will be on tour during the months of February and March to let others know about this book. You are welcome to join me as I post informative articles and videos about intuition, empathy fatigue, energy overload, setting boundaries with entities, developing your intuition, the influence ghosts have upon human emotions, how to make the voices stop, the psychology of empathy, what to do if there’s a ghost in your house, and several question and answer sessions with me.
See the tour schedule at http://whosestuffisthis.blogspot.com/
If you prefer the PDF version, it is available through PayPal. Click the Buy Now button (below) to add it to your cart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please subscribe to my empathy blog to get a message when the printed version of this book is ready. Pub date is February 15.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and En...
My new book about being an empath is ready for Kindle Reader on Amazon. The printed copy will be available in February. Here is a video to let you know what the book is about and what others are saying about it. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of it.
The e-book version is now available on Amazon.com for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices. $9.99
If you prefer the PDF version, it is available through PayPal. Click the Buy Now button (below) to add it to your cart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please subscribe to my empathy blog to get a message when the printed version of this book is ready. Pub date is February 15.
If you prefer the PDF version, it is available through PayPal. Click the Buy Now button (below) to add it to your cart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please subscribe to my empathy blog to get a message when the printed version of this book is ready. Pub date is February 15.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Second Chance to Go into the Light
by Caron Goode
We all tend to by fascinated by what the afterlife holds. Do they cross over into the light? Do they go to a place called heaven or hell? Do they stay earthbound?
No one knows for sure what happens to people after they die, but some of the best answers to these questions comes from mediums who interact with ghosts. I have had some direct experiences that have given me first-hand information, and I have tapped into the other side many times in my intuitive work with clients over the years. Some are children, who give information that sheds light on this topic.
When we first leave the body, we retain the persona of that lifetime but eventually we cross over and get into our higher soul awareness that incorporates all the persona's we've had from all lifetimes.
From what I’ve read in When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski, the tunnel of light is opened at the moment of death and this window of opportunity remains open for a short while in which a soul can make a choice to go into the light or stay in the earth plane. Some people cross over almost immediately upon transitioning, probably because they were more spirituality evolved and had all their loose ends tied up. Others take too much time deciding and miss their chance and thus become earth bound.
Mary Ann is the consultant for the creators of the CBS show, The Ghost Whisperer, in which Jennifer Love Hewitt stars. Mary Ann has seen and communicated with earthbound souls since she was four years old and is known for being able to create the light and give earthbound souls a second chance to cross over. In her book, she gives several reason why souls do not cross over immediately:
• They are attached to things such as jewelry, cars, houses, furniture, or places where they lived, found comfort, or died
• They fear judgment or punishment on the other side
• They are seeking revenge or pursuing justice
• They want to protect the living
• They are busybodies who don’t want to leave
We have free will while in body on Earth, and we still have free will in the afterlife. So it’s really up to us to choose whether to cross over or stay earthbound. For souls who missed their first window of opportunity, Mary Ann says they can find a second chance at a funeral home, graveside service, or morgue where lies a body that has recently died. The passage of light that is there for that soul can be shared by other souls. This is good information to have if you are one who is visited by ghosts seeking help with crossing over.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
We all tend to by fascinated by what the afterlife holds. Do they cross over into the light? Do they go to a place called heaven or hell? Do they stay earthbound?
No one knows for sure what happens to people after they die, but some of the best answers to these questions comes from mediums who interact with ghosts. I have had some direct experiences that have given me first-hand information, and I have tapped into the other side many times in my intuitive work with clients over the years. Some are children, who give information that sheds light on this topic.
When we first leave the body, we retain the persona of that lifetime but eventually we cross over and get into our higher soul awareness that incorporates all the persona's we've had from all lifetimes.
From what I’ve read in When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski, the tunnel of light is opened at the moment of death and this window of opportunity remains open for a short while in which a soul can make a choice to go into the light or stay in the earth plane. Some people cross over almost immediately upon transitioning, probably because they were more spirituality evolved and had all their loose ends tied up. Others take too much time deciding and miss their chance and thus become earth bound.
Mary Ann is the consultant for the creators of the CBS show, The Ghost Whisperer, in which Jennifer Love Hewitt stars. Mary Ann has seen and communicated with earthbound souls since she was four years old and is known for being able to create the light and give earthbound souls a second chance to cross over. In her book, she gives several reason why souls do not cross over immediately:
• They are attached to things such as jewelry, cars, houses, furniture, or places where they lived, found comfort, or died
• They fear judgment or punishment on the other side
• They are seeking revenge or pursuing justice
• They want to protect the living
• They are busybodies who don’t want to leave
We have free will while in body on Earth, and we still have free will in the afterlife. So it’s really up to us to choose whether to cross over or stay earthbound. For souls who missed their first window of opportunity, Mary Ann says they can find a second chance at a funeral home, graveside service, or morgue where lies a body that has recently died. The passage of light that is there for that soul can be shared by other souls. This is good information to have if you are one who is visited by ghosts seeking help with crossing over.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Mommy, Who Is That Lady Standing Over There?
Most psychics and mediums I interviewed for my book, Kids Who See Ghosts, agreed that ghosts are the spirits of persons who have passed out of a body, but have not yet moved on to higher planes of consciousness. Those who see apparitions say ghosts present themselves in human form. Nature spirits (also called fairies, gnomes, elves, and leprechauns) are energy beings that children see and interact with, especially in their preschool years. Those who see them describe them as tiny creatures with seemingly translucent wings or a blinking little light with wings.
When a child sees an apparition she may ask something like, "Mommy, who is that lady standing over there?" or “What is that man doing in our house?"
Of course when adults try to see who the child is talking about they see no one, yet the child insists someone is there. They may also report seeing ghosts in their dreams, hearing things go bump in the night, having monsters under their bed, ghosts in the closet, or someone peeking in their window. This can be scary for adults as well as children. As a counselor, I know the worries parents have over helping their children feel safe in their own environment.
Don’t ignore your child's fears. It is important to her emotional development for you as a parent to eliminate such things as ghosts, monsters, and weird noises. Criticizing her about monsters or saying "there is no such things as ghosts” does not help her overcome fear. She will simply stop telling you about her experience, which may cause her even more stress.
One thing that will help reduce your child's fear is to show how calm you are about such things. Children take their cues from adults—especially their parents—and if we are upset about ghosts and strange noises, then our children will learn to fear those things too. Try to offer a logical explanation that the child can understand.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in ghosts, you can take charge of the situation. Smudge your house with sage to banish entities, do battle with the monster under the bed, or have a good, firm talk with the invisible man who keeps tapping at your child’s bedroom window. It might also help to turn on a night light in the child’s room, let her take a flashlight to bed, or play some soft music at night so she can’t hear ghostly activity.
Since science cannot prove nor disprove the existence of spirit beings, parents can’t honestly tell a child that ghosts or other spirit beings don't exist. Perhaps we should listen to our children and simply accept what they say they see.
© 2010 by Dr. Caron Goode, the award winning author of Raising Intuitive Children and the international best-seller, Kids Who See Ghosts, guide them through their fear. Dr. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents (acpi.biz) that trains and certifies professional parenting coaches. Reach Dr. Goode for speaking or training at caron30 @ gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
When a child sees an apparition she may ask something like, "Mommy, who is that lady standing over there?" or “What is that man doing in our house?"
Of course when adults try to see who the child is talking about they see no one, yet the child insists someone is there. They may also report seeing ghosts in their dreams, hearing things go bump in the night, having monsters under their bed, ghosts in the closet, or someone peeking in their window. This can be scary for adults as well as children. As a counselor, I know the worries parents have over helping their children feel safe in their own environment.
Don’t ignore your child's fears. It is important to her emotional development for you as a parent to eliminate such things as ghosts, monsters, and weird noises. Criticizing her about monsters or saying "there is no such things as ghosts” does not help her overcome fear. She will simply stop telling you about her experience, which may cause her even more stress.
One thing that will help reduce your child's fear is to show how calm you are about such things. Children take their cues from adults—especially their parents—and if we are upset about ghosts and strange noises, then our children will learn to fear those things too. Try to offer a logical explanation that the child can understand.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in ghosts, you can take charge of the situation. Smudge your house with sage to banish entities, do battle with the monster under the bed, or have a good, firm talk with the invisible man who keeps tapping at your child’s bedroom window. It might also help to turn on a night light in the child’s room, let her take a flashlight to bed, or play some soft music at night so she can’t hear ghostly activity.
Since science cannot prove nor disprove the existence of spirit beings, parents can’t honestly tell a child that ghosts or other spirit beings don't exist. Perhaps we should listen to our children and simply accept what they say they see.
© 2010 by Dr. Caron Goode, the award winning author of Raising Intuitive Children and the international best-seller, Kids Who See Ghosts, guide them through their fear. Dr. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents (acpi.biz) that trains and certifies professional parenting coaches. Reach Dr. Goode for speaking or training at caron30 @ gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
Entity Contamination
As we approach the year 2012, more and more people are opening up to the spirit realm that has always been around us. This can be quite disturbing especially for one who has not been aware or able to interact with spirits prior to having some sort of spiritual awakening. Like the woman who called me this morning. She had found me on my metaphysical Web site and thought she was undergoing a walk-in experience.
While chatting with her I began to sense the presence of a malicious entity and knew that regardless of whether or not she was a walk-in, she was going to have to deal with this disembodied spirit. For the past six months she has constantly heard two cruel voices in her head; she has recently begun to lose her memory--sure signs that her auric field is being contaminated. I sensed that she was very sane, but also fearful, which is the energy hateful disembodied spirits feed off of.
Had I been in the mindset I was twelve years ago, I would have attempted to "cast out" these detrimental spirits or disconnect them from her, but now I know that resisting and fighting increases this kind of activity because it forces the victim to focus on them--thus giving them more power. Rather than telling her to fight or even listen to the voices, I encouraged her to shift her focus onto the light and love within her and to seek the help of her angels, archangels, ascended masters, and higher vibrating spirit guides. By standing in her own power, she gains the skills needed to manage the psychic abilities that are more than likely going to continue to increase. Therefore, it is important for her to learn to access the spiritual realm without paying a personal, emotional, or physical price.
Because I understand where people (like this woman) are coming from and I have arrived at a place in my life where I can offer comfort and methods for dealing with entity contamination, I have written a book titled Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom From the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You (ISBN: 9780982572245). This is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. It will help readers learn to sense their own energy and let go of the psychic clutter that causes them distress. The book will be available in February 2011. Learn more or subscribe to get a notice when the book is in print at http://tinyurl.com/WhoseStuff.
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For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase on Amazon.com
While chatting with her I began to sense the presence of a malicious entity and knew that regardless of whether or not she was a walk-in, she was going to have to deal with this disembodied spirit. For the past six months she has constantly heard two cruel voices in her head; she has recently begun to lose her memory--sure signs that her auric field is being contaminated. I sensed that she was very sane, but also fearful, which is the energy hateful disembodied spirits feed off of.
Had I been in the mindset I was twelve years ago, I would have attempted to "cast out" these detrimental spirits or disconnect them from her, but now I know that resisting and fighting increases this kind of activity because it forces the victim to focus on them--thus giving them more power. Rather than telling her to fight or even listen to the voices, I encouraged her to shift her focus onto the light and love within her and to seek the help of her angels, archangels, ascended masters, and higher vibrating spirit guides. By standing in her own power, she gains the skills needed to manage the psychic abilities that are more than likely going to continue to increase. Therefore, it is important for her to learn to access the spiritual realm without paying a personal, emotional, or physical price.
Because I understand where people (like this woman) are coming from and I have arrived at a place in my life where I can offer comfort and methods for dealing with entity contamination, I have written a book titled Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom From the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You (ISBN: 9780982572245). This is a guidebook for empathic people who have been unknowingly carrying energetic burdens that belong to someone else. It will help readers learn to sense their own energy and let go of the psychic clutter that causes them distress. The book will be available in February 2011. Learn more or subscribe to get a notice when the book is in print at http://tinyurl.com/WhoseStuff.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase on Amazon.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Greiving Less by Being Around People
When my grandfather passed in 1988, my grandmother had a difficult time adjusting. What helped her most was to stay busy doing things with and for our family. We took her to the beach that following summer just to get her out of the house and into a change of scenery. She never set foot on the beach, but she loved staying in the motel, cooking meals for the rest of us. We loved having her and I think it gave her a new perspective on life without Pap.
Even though it's been twenty-two years since his death, my grandmother (Nanny is now 94 years old) still gets a little melancholy around the holidays. Rightly so. She has a lot of loved ones waiting for her in the afterlife. Two of her five children are no longer in body--one daughter passed three days before Thanksgiving last year. Nanny's last remaining sibling, a dear sister whom she daily spoke with on the phone, passed a few months ago. Her loss is still very real. Even though Nanny can't get out much (she broke her hip two years ago and is only able to walk a few steps to get from bed to wheelchair) and is very hard of hearing, she desires to be around people. She has always been a very social person. She lights up when her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids come to visit.
If she was able to get about more easily, I'm sure she would enjoy being part of a group and do things with people. I recently discovered our local senior citizens center and was surprised at all the opportunities they offer for connecting around fun projects. Not only do they have quilting and crocheting groups (I love both of these crafts) they have a beauty shop, low-impact aerobics, work out equipment, walking trails, computer classes, a cafeteria, a chorus/choir, and a drama club—they put on shows for the community! Plus, they take field trips together all over the state. The charge is like $10 per month, so it is very affordable.
Being around people is a good way to take your mind off the constant grieving. I think this type of activity would be a huge benefit to a grieving senior person. What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Even though it's been twenty-two years since his death, my grandmother (Nanny is now 94 years old) still gets a little melancholy around the holidays. Rightly so. She has a lot of loved ones waiting for her in the afterlife. Two of her five children are no longer in body--one daughter passed three days before Thanksgiving last year. Nanny's last remaining sibling, a dear sister whom she daily spoke with on the phone, passed a few months ago. Her loss is still very real. Even though Nanny can't get out much (she broke her hip two years ago and is only able to walk a few steps to get from bed to wheelchair) and is very hard of hearing, she desires to be around people. She has always been a very social person. She lights up when her grandkids, great grandkids, and great-great grandkids come to visit.
If she was able to get about more easily, I'm sure she would enjoy being part of a group and do things with people. I recently discovered our local senior citizens center and was surprised at all the opportunities they offer for connecting around fun projects. Not only do they have quilting and crocheting groups (I love both of these crafts) they have a beauty shop, low-impact aerobics, work out equipment, walking trails, computer classes, a cafeteria, a chorus/choir, and a drama club—they put on shows for the community! Plus, they take field trips together all over the state. The charge is like $10 per month, so it is very affordable.
Being around people is a good way to take your mind off the constant grieving. I think this type of activity would be a huge benefit to a grieving senior person. What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Grieving a Miscarriage
Mary Martin is our guest blogger today as she shares a touching story about how a little girl dealt with the death of her unborn baby sister when her family did not address the issue.
The Ice House
by Mary Martin
That's an old photograph of me taken the summer I turned nine. Squinting at the camera, I look as if I'm ready to run. Behind me, you can see a boy, several years older with dark curly hair and a pinched expression. That's my brother, Paul. You can tell from the tilt of the camera, that my older brother Pete took the picture.
We stayed in a small cottage high up on the rocks. To get to the water, we had to climb down a long rickety, staircase that arched its way among the bleached white rocks to the narrow beach below. One afternoon, coming out of the water, I felt something soft and thick on the back of my leg. I tried to brush it off.
Paul started laughing. "It's a worm, Francie!"
Pete tried to knock it off with a stick, but it wouldn't come.
I ran up the staircase as fast I could. In the cottage, I tried to stop my short, panicky sobs. Horror slowly spread across Mom's face as she tried to peel the black blob from my leg. Aunt Margaret got the salt and Dad poured it on the worm. Slowly, the creature curled smaller and dropped off. For days, I couldn't help fingering the long dent under the bandage made by the blood sucker. It seemed like a big chunk of me was missing. I wasn't allowed to go swimming for a while, but I didn't really want to.
The best part about the cottage was the ice house. Beyond the road running behind the cottage was a low building set in among the pine trees, which seemed to rise up forever. A man from the lodge would come every few days in his truck to unload the large blocks of ice for the cottagers. Made of old pine boards hammered together, the ice house kept listing dangerously to one side. The damp smell of sawdust drew you in. Waves of cold from the big blocks of ice strewn across the floor froze you solid. With the door pulled shut, the darkness inside was broken by bright knotholes of sunshine streaming in. Paul and I spent many afternoons defending the ice house with our stick rifles thrust through the holes. Holding our breath, we waited for the enemy attacks.
I was always liked playing with Paul, but it didn't happen often. He thought I was too little. But he had the best games, even though some of them were really strange. Because Mom was expecting the new baby late that summer, she was pretty tired and we weren't supposed to bother her. So, I hung around Paul a lot.
One afternoon, I asked Paul, "What do you think it'll be like with the new baby?"
Paul threw down his stick rifle and stared at me. "Who cares?" His face scrunched up. "Smarten up, Francie! You think it'll be like playing with your dumb dolls." With his face all pinched and angry, he started across the floor at me. "Well, it won't. Everything will be different."
He pushed me hard and I fell back against the huge iron tongs hanging on a nail by the door. He backed away. I could tell from his smile, he was thinking something up.
"You know, they torture people in here with those tongs," he said slowly. His glance forbade challenge.
"They take ice to the cottages with them." I insisted. Then, trying to sound grown up, I said, "Everyone knows that."
"Boy, are you dumb!" Paul shook his head slowly and peered out the knothole."Everyone knows that!" he mimicked.
Then he whispered so low I could hardly hear him. "They do it out here only at night, when babies like you are asleep."
Paul pretended to concentrate on the enemy. Even though I couldn't see his face, I decided to call his bluff, which wasn't easy for me. "How do you know? Mom and Dad don't let you out here at night."
Slowly, my brother turned away from the wall. The stream of sunlight illuminated his piteous expression. He sighed deeply. "Don't you know anything? You can sneak out once dad starts snoring."
Slowly, he reached up and lifted the tongs from the nail. They were so heavy, he almost stumbled. "Listen, if you stop acting like a stupid little kid, you can come tonight at midnight." Just like Paul to throw down the challenge.
"They heat the tongs up over a fire, before they use them." he added.
"Fire?" I thought I had him now. "There aren't any fires around here at night," I said.
With a grin, Paul turned on me in the doorway. "See what I mean? That's exactly what a baby would say." Then he was off, running ahead of me toward the cottage.
That night I lay in bed waiting for midnight and thinking about what Paul had said about the baby. I was still trying to figure out how babies were made. Mom wasn't much help. Something about bees and flowers. When Aunt Margaret tried to tell me, I got even more confused.
I liked Aunt Margaret a lot. If I had any idea of myself as a grown up woman, Aunt Margaret was everything I wanted to be. She had long, dark hair which was so shiny, I always wanted to touch it. When she laughed, it was a deep, husky laugh which hinted at something I didn't understand, but wanted to imitate. Sometimes I listened to her and Mom talking. Aunt Margaret was a nurse and I heard her talking about girls getting rid of their babies, at the hospital. I didn't believe it. Babies got sick and mothers got them better.
Finally, it was midnight. With the flashlight, I picked out the path through the bushes. When I crept into the ice house, it was really cold and still.
Paul's voice was harsh and tense. "Turn that thing off!" he hissed. I did. We were in darkness until my eyes adjusted. I could barely see him behind a huge box-like shape.
"Now," he whispered, "I'm going to show you how they heat up the tongs. They'll be here pretty soon."
"Who's coming?" I asked, not moving from the doorway.
"Them. All the members of the Secret Society!"
I heard a metallic click and then smelled the sick smell of lighter fluid. Paul had taken Dad's lighter. When the candle flickered, I could see. Paul’s grinning face, like a skull. What had looked like a box, really was one, except it was cut out in a funny shape and looked like an altar. The tongs were laid across the top of the box. Carefully, he set the candle underneath the one end of the tongs.
Sitting back, with great satisfaction, he said, "Now we wait."
"Wait for what?" I asked.
Paul looked at me in disgust. "I shouldn't have let you come. You're just too little for this! I said they'd be here and I have to be ready with the tongs."
Paul scuffed his foot and knocked the box over. The candle tipped sideways. The box began to dance in flames. I thought it was part of the plan, but his gasp told me it wasn't. For an instant, we watched the growing flames in fascination.
Paul knocked the tongs to the ground. Spreading his arms, he grasped both ends of the burning cardboard. He ran fast with the flaming box held high. The fire seemed to die out as he neared the cottage, but then it burst out again. His screams pierced the silent woods.
He's crazy, I thought. He'll wake everyone. Then I saw his shirt was on fire.
Dad was chasing him down the lawn. Paul flung himself toward the water's edge. Dad caught him and threw him to the ground. The shrieks became a low keening sound.
Aunt Margaret backed the car onto the lawn. Mom stumbled trying to get Paul up. Climbing in the car beside him, she slammed the door shut. Her face was pale and white in the window. Paul's shrieks rose above the engine's roar as the car bounced down the lane for town.
Unable to move, I stood alone on the lawn. Aunt Margaret and Pete brought me into the cottage. I kept saying, "The candle fell over. The box caught on fire. Paul was trying to get it to the water."
"But why?" asked Aunt Margaret. "What was he trying to do?"
I searched her face for an answer. "I don't know!" I said at last. "Something to do with a secret society and torturing people. One of his stupid games."
I couldn't lie down on my own bed. Finally, curling up on the verandah cot. I fell asleep staring at the moon. When I awoke the next morning, I was lying in the exact same position.
The sky was tinted pink with red streaks in it. Slowly, I turned on my back. I heard my Aunt talking on the phone. Finally, she hung up and came out to the verandah and sat on the end of the cot.
"Dad called from the hospital, Francie." I nodded and waited. "Paul will be all right. The burns aren't too bad."
I rubbed my eyes and watched her. I knew there was more.
"Francie?" She edged toward me awkwardly. "Your mom lost the baby last night."
I lay very still. When I finally spoke, I didn't recognize my own voice. "You mean the baby died?"
"Yes." said Margaret quietly.
I wrenched myself away from her hand and buried my face in the pillow. It was Paul's fault. His stupid games! The lump in my throat was so hard, I thought my head would burst. I didn't ask Margaret what was wrong with the baby, or why it died. I just asked, "It was a girl, wasn't it?" Aunt Margaret looked at me strangely and nodded.
After awhile, I got off the cot and went to my room. Standing on a chair, I could just reach the top shelf of the closet. I found the only dress I'd brought to the cottage. Mom usually helped me with the zipper, so it took a long time to dress without her. I went out to the kitchen. Pete and Aunt Margaret were sitting at the table. They weren't talking.
Standing in the doorway, I asked, "Will this be okay for the funeral?"
"Funeral?" asked Margaret carefully.
"Yes, for the baby."
Margaret was leading me to the couch and trying not to cry. "Francie, they don't have funerals when this happens."
"Why not?"
Margaret looked at me helplessly. "They just don't. I don't know why." Tears were running down her cheeks as she tried to hold me close.
I pushed her away hard, then ran from the cottage, as fast as I could, across the road to the ice house. I sat inside for a long time with my back against the biggest block of ice I could find. The cold made me ache all over. It was all because of the fire, I thought. I hated Paul and his stupid games. Then I got an idea.
Aunt Margaret and Pete were out looking for me, so it was easy to sneak back into the cottage. At the back of Mom's closet, I found a shoe box. In my room, Annabel, my doll was propped up against the pillow. There were lots of doll clothes in my suitcase and I went through them carefully, until I found just the right one. I took a long time dressing Annabel in her white dress. I sang to her while I combed her hair and washed her face. Then I placed her in the shoe box. She didn't look right just lying there, so I tucked the best hand towel I could find around her.
Back at the ice house, I got a shovel. I had to find the right spot. It was quiet and shady at the back. The hole was really hard to dig. The shoe box had to be buried deep enough. At last, I could make it fit.
Opening the lid for the last time, I kissed Annabel and stared at her for ages. I felt better, but the hard lump in my throat came back when I covered the box with earth.
Right away, I knew I needed a gravestone. In the bushes, I found enough stones to build one. I sat back against the wall and tried to think of the right words. I had never been to a funeral, so I had a lot of trouble.
Much later, Pete came around the back of the ice house. He looked relieved to see me, but I could tell he thought I looked really strange sitting there in my best dress, beside a bunch of stones.
I thought he would be mad, but he just said, "What are you doing, Francie? We've been hunting all over for you." He didn't look right at me.
"Can't you see? I've been having the funeral." Then I really started crying and couldn't stop. Pete sat down beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. Sitting together like that, I was glad he just waited and didn't try to make me stop and talk. When I was only sniffling, he helped me up and held my hand all the way back from the ice house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
The Ice House
by Mary Martin
That's an old photograph of me taken the summer I turned nine. Squinting at the camera, I look as if I'm ready to run. Behind me, you can see a boy, several years older with dark curly hair and a pinched expression. That's my brother, Paul. You can tell from the tilt of the camera, that my older brother Pete took the picture.
We stayed in a small cottage high up on the rocks. To get to the water, we had to climb down a long rickety, staircase that arched its way among the bleached white rocks to the narrow beach below. One afternoon, coming out of the water, I felt something soft and thick on the back of my leg. I tried to brush it off.
Paul started laughing. "It's a worm, Francie!"
Pete tried to knock it off with a stick, but it wouldn't come.
I ran up the staircase as fast I could. In the cottage, I tried to stop my short, panicky sobs. Horror slowly spread across Mom's face as she tried to peel the black blob from my leg. Aunt Margaret got the salt and Dad poured it on the worm. Slowly, the creature curled smaller and dropped off. For days, I couldn't help fingering the long dent under the bandage made by the blood sucker. It seemed like a big chunk of me was missing. I wasn't allowed to go swimming for a while, but I didn't really want to.
The best part about the cottage was the ice house. Beyond the road running behind the cottage was a low building set in among the pine trees, which seemed to rise up forever. A man from the lodge would come every few days in his truck to unload the large blocks of ice for the cottagers. Made of old pine boards hammered together, the ice house kept listing dangerously to one side. The damp smell of sawdust drew you in. Waves of cold from the big blocks of ice strewn across the floor froze you solid. With the door pulled shut, the darkness inside was broken by bright knotholes of sunshine streaming in. Paul and I spent many afternoons defending the ice house with our stick rifles thrust through the holes. Holding our breath, we waited for the enemy attacks.
I was always liked playing with Paul, but it didn't happen often. He thought I was too little. But he had the best games, even though some of them were really strange. Because Mom was expecting the new baby late that summer, she was pretty tired and we weren't supposed to bother her. So, I hung around Paul a lot.
One afternoon, I asked Paul, "What do you think it'll be like with the new baby?"
Paul threw down his stick rifle and stared at me. "Who cares?" His face scrunched up. "Smarten up, Francie! You think it'll be like playing with your dumb dolls." With his face all pinched and angry, he started across the floor at me. "Well, it won't. Everything will be different."
He pushed me hard and I fell back against the huge iron tongs hanging on a nail by the door. He backed away. I could tell from his smile, he was thinking something up.
"You know, they torture people in here with those tongs," he said slowly. His glance forbade challenge.
"They take ice to the cottages with them." I insisted. Then, trying to sound grown up, I said, "Everyone knows that."
"Boy, are you dumb!" Paul shook his head slowly and peered out the knothole."Everyone knows that!" he mimicked.
Then he whispered so low I could hardly hear him. "They do it out here only at night, when babies like you are asleep."
Paul pretended to concentrate on the enemy. Even though I couldn't see his face, I decided to call his bluff, which wasn't easy for me. "How do you know? Mom and Dad don't let you out here at night."
Slowly, my brother turned away from the wall. The stream of sunlight illuminated his piteous expression. He sighed deeply. "Don't you know anything? You can sneak out once dad starts snoring."
Slowly, he reached up and lifted the tongs from the nail. They were so heavy, he almost stumbled. "Listen, if you stop acting like a stupid little kid, you can come tonight at midnight." Just like Paul to throw down the challenge.
"They heat the tongs up over a fire, before they use them." he added.
"Fire?" I thought I had him now. "There aren't any fires around here at night," I said.
With a grin, Paul turned on me in the doorway. "See what I mean? That's exactly what a baby would say." Then he was off, running ahead of me toward the cottage.
That night I lay in bed waiting for midnight and thinking about what Paul had said about the baby. I was still trying to figure out how babies were made. Mom wasn't much help. Something about bees and flowers. When Aunt Margaret tried to tell me, I got even more confused.
I liked Aunt Margaret a lot. If I had any idea of myself as a grown up woman, Aunt Margaret was everything I wanted to be. She had long, dark hair which was so shiny, I always wanted to touch it. When she laughed, it was a deep, husky laugh which hinted at something I didn't understand, but wanted to imitate. Sometimes I listened to her and Mom talking. Aunt Margaret was a nurse and I heard her talking about girls getting rid of their babies, at the hospital. I didn't believe it. Babies got sick and mothers got them better.
Finally, it was midnight. With the flashlight, I picked out the path through the bushes. When I crept into the ice house, it was really cold and still.
Paul's voice was harsh and tense. "Turn that thing off!" he hissed. I did. We were in darkness until my eyes adjusted. I could barely see him behind a huge box-like shape.
"Now," he whispered, "I'm going to show you how they heat up the tongs. They'll be here pretty soon."
"Who's coming?" I asked, not moving from the doorway.
"Them. All the members of the Secret Society!"
I heard a metallic click and then smelled the sick smell of lighter fluid. Paul had taken Dad's lighter. When the candle flickered, I could see. Paul’s grinning face, like a skull. What had looked like a box, really was one, except it was cut out in a funny shape and looked like an altar. The tongs were laid across the top of the box. Carefully, he set the candle underneath the one end of the tongs.
Sitting back, with great satisfaction, he said, "Now we wait."
"Wait for what?" I asked.
Paul looked at me in disgust. "I shouldn't have let you come. You're just too little for this! I said they'd be here and I have to be ready with the tongs."
Paul scuffed his foot and knocked the box over. The candle tipped sideways. The box began to dance in flames. I thought it was part of the plan, but his gasp told me it wasn't. For an instant, we watched the growing flames in fascination.
Paul knocked the tongs to the ground. Spreading his arms, he grasped both ends of the burning cardboard. He ran fast with the flaming box held high. The fire seemed to die out as he neared the cottage, but then it burst out again. His screams pierced the silent woods.
He's crazy, I thought. He'll wake everyone. Then I saw his shirt was on fire.
Dad was chasing him down the lawn. Paul flung himself toward the water's edge. Dad caught him and threw him to the ground. The shrieks became a low keening sound.
Aunt Margaret backed the car onto the lawn. Mom stumbled trying to get Paul up. Climbing in the car beside him, she slammed the door shut. Her face was pale and white in the window. Paul's shrieks rose above the engine's roar as the car bounced down the lane for town.
Unable to move, I stood alone on the lawn. Aunt Margaret and Pete brought me into the cottage. I kept saying, "The candle fell over. The box caught on fire. Paul was trying to get it to the water."
"But why?" asked Aunt Margaret. "What was he trying to do?"
I searched her face for an answer. "I don't know!" I said at last. "Something to do with a secret society and torturing people. One of his stupid games."
I couldn't lie down on my own bed. Finally, curling up on the verandah cot. I fell asleep staring at the moon. When I awoke the next morning, I was lying in the exact same position.
The sky was tinted pink with red streaks in it. Slowly, I turned on my back. I heard my Aunt talking on the phone. Finally, she hung up and came out to the verandah and sat on the end of the cot.
"Dad called from the hospital, Francie." I nodded and waited. "Paul will be all right. The burns aren't too bad."
I rubbed my eyes and watched her. I knew there was more.
"Francie?" She edged toward me awkwardly. "Your mom lost the baby last night."
I lay very still. When I finally spoke, I didn't recognize my own voice. "You mean the baby died?"
"Yes." said Margaret quietly.
I wrenched myself away from her hand and buried my face in the pillow. It was Paul's fault. His stupid games! The lump in my throat was so hard, I thought my head would burst. I didn't ask Margaret what was wrong with the baby, or why it died. I just asked, "It was a girl, wasn't it?" Aunt Margaret looked at me strangely and nodded.
After awhile, I got off the cot and went to my room. Standing on a chair, I could just reach the top shelf of the closet. I found the only dress I'd brought to the cottage. Mom usually helped me with the zipper, so it took a long time to dress without her. I went out to the kitchen. Pete and Aunt Margaret were sitting at the table. They weren't talking.
Standing in the doorway, I asked, "Will this be okay for the funeral?"
"Funeral?" asked Margaret carefully.
"Yes, for the baby."
Margaret was leading me to the couch and trying not to cry. "Francie, they don't have funerals when this happens."
"Why not?"
Margaret looked at me helplessly. "They just don't. I don't know why." Tears were running down her cheeks as she tried to hold me close.
I pushed her away hard, then ran from the cottage, as fast as I could, across the road to the ice house. I sat inside for a long time with my back against the biggest block of ice I could find. The cold made me ache all over. It was all because of the fire, I thought. I hated Paul and his stupid games. Then I got an idea.
Aunt Margaret and Pete were out looking for me, so it was easy to sneak back into the cottage. At the back of Mom's closet, I found a shoe box. In my room, Annabel, my doll was propped up against the pillow. There were lots of doll clothes in my suitcase and I went through them carefully, until I found just the right one. I took a long time dressing Annabel in her white dress. I sang to her while I combed her hair and washed her face. Then I placed her in the shoe box. She didn't look right just lying there, so I tucked the best hand towel I could find around her.
Back at the ice house, I got a shovel. I had to find the right spot. It was quiet and shady at the back. The hole was really hard to dig. The shoe box had to be buried deep enough. At last, I could make it fit.
Opening the lid for the last time, I kissed Annabel and stared at her for ages. I felt better, but the hard lump in my throat came back when I covered the box with earth.
Right away, I knew I needed a gravestone. In the bushes, I found enough stones to build one. I sat back against the wall and tried to think of the right words. I had never been to a funeral, so I had a lot of trouble.
Much later, Pete came around the back of the ice house. He looked relieved to see me, but I could tell he thought I looked really strange sitting there in my best dress, beside a bunch of stones.
I thought he would be mad, but he just said, "What are you doing, Francie? We've been hunting all over for you." He didn't look right at me.
"Can't you see? I've been having the funeral." Then I really started crying and couldn't stop. Pete sat down beside me and put his arm around my shoulder. Sitting together like that, I was glad he just waited and didn't try to make me stop and talk. When I was only sniffling, he helped me up and held my hand all the way back from the ice house.
Mary E. Martin, a lawyer, she wrote the legal suspense novels of The Osgoode Trilogy, Conduct in Question, Final Paradox and A Trial of One. She has just published the first novel in the next trilogy, set in not in the world of law, but art—The Drawing Lesson, the first in the Trilogy of Remembrance. Presently, she is immersed in the second draft of the next novel in this trilogy, provisionally called, The Fate of Pryde. Married, she and her husband live in Toronto and have three adult children. http://www.theosgoodetrilogy.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Monday, December 6, 2010
Resisting Grief
When we lose a loved one, we go through a multitude of emotions before finally reaching acceptance. We may dislike the changes that are occurring as a result and may feel very dissatisfied with our lives without that person.
“I don’t like this!”
“I’m not ready to let go!”
“It’s too much for me to bear!”
“This shouldn’t have happened!"
These thoughts come to our mind when we can’t acknowledge the simple truth that everything in the universe is flowing, and that we must flow with life rather than resist it. In denying what is happening, and refusing to move on, we fight against the universe and the whole of creation. This fight is a lost cause from the very beginning because the universal cycles of life and death are very powerful.
When we think about our life circumstances in terms of “it should be this way” or “it shouldn’t be that way,” we ignore the fact that everything happens for a reason, and though we may not know the reason, it is supported by the creative force of everything that exists. Souls make choices on an unconscious level and may depart before we are ready to let go of them. We may doubly grieve if the loved one we lost was very young or healthy or died suddenly through the actions of another person or random event. If we could see the bigger picture from a higher perspective, things would look a lot different.
We try to be strong for ourselves and others during a crisis, but repressing our own feelings only traps negative energy that can detrimentally affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When our rational mind produces thoughts of resistance, our positive energy comes to a standstill. It stagnates and accumulates an excess of negative energy that leads to physical or emotional suffering. Before long, we grow accustomed to feeling bad and this attracts more painful experiences that lead to further accumulation of negativity that attracts more of the same, and so forth.
So what is one to do in order to move from denial, anger, bargaining, and depression into acceptance? There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but there are ways to move through grief more quickly without allowing it to harm your health.
Feel what you feel. Admit that you are angry, suffering, or depressed and ask for Divine help in dealing with your personal response to the situation at hand. God can handle your anger—it’s just an “E” motion—energy in motion. Energy is meant to be in constant motion; not to get stuck in your body where it can damage your cells. Expressing your emotions releases them, so don’t be afraid to cry, punch, or scream into your pillow to let go of the pent up feelings.
Be real. Live authentically by being honest with yourself. Who are you angry with? Why are you angry about your current situation? How does this anger serve you? What worries you most? Are there any positive steps you can take to make the situation better? What would your life look like in a couple of months if you make wise decisions now? Think of the many ways your faith in a higher power can help you move on.
Once you have let go of any energy that has lodged in your body and mind, you will have a better outlook on life and will be able to make decisions based upon logic and intuition rather than knee-jerk reactions you may regret later.
“I don’t like this!”
“I’m not ready to let go!”
“It’s too much for me to bear!”
“This shouldn’t have happened!"
These thoughts come to our mind when we can’t acknowledge the simple truth that everything in the universe is flowing, and that we must flow with life rather than resist it. In denying what is happening, and refusing to move on, we fight against the universe and the whole of creation. This fight is a lost cause from the very beginning because the universal cycles of life and death are very powerful.
When we think about our life circumstances in terms of “it should be this way” or “it shouldn’t be that way,” we ignore the fact that everything happens for a reason, and though we may not know the reason, it is supported by the creative force of everything that exists. Souls make choices on an unconscious level and may depart before we are ready to let go of them. We may doubly grieve if the loved one we lost was very young or healthy or died suddenly through the actions of another person or random event. If we could see the bigger picture from a higher perspective, things would look a lot different.
We try to be strong for ourselves and others during a crisis, but repressing our own feelings only traps negative energy that can detrimentally affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When our rational mind produces thoughts of resistance, our positive energy comes to a standstill. It stagnates and accumulates an excess of negative energy that leads to physical or emotional suffering. Before long, we grow accustomed to feeling bad and this attracts more painful experiences that lead to further accumulation of negativity that attracts more of the same, and so forth.
So what is one to do in order to move from denial, anger, bargaining, and depression into acceptance? There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but there are ways to move through grief more quickly without allowing it to harm your health.
Feel what you feel. Admit that you are angry, suffering, or depressed and ask for Divine help in dealing with your personal response to the situation at hand. God can handle your anger—it’s just an “E” motion—energy in motion. Energy is meant to be in constant motion; not to get stuck in your body where it can damage your cells. Expressing your emotions releases them, so don’t be afraid to cry, punch, or scream into your pillow to let go of the pent up feelings.
Be real. Live authentically by being honest with yourself. Who are you angry with? Why are you angry about your current situation? How does this anger serve you? What worries you most? Are there any positive steps you can take to make the situation better? What would your life look like in a couple of months if you make wise decisions now? Think of the many ways your faith in a higher power can help you move on.
Once you have let go of any energy that has lodged in your body and mind, you will have a better outlook on life and will be able to make decisions based upon logic and intuition rather than knee-jerk reactions you may regret later.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Elderly and Children Interact
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I spent time at my parent's house. My 94-year-old grandmother, whom we call Nanny, lives with them. My adult children and my three grandchildren were also at my parent's during the holiday last week.
Ever since Nanny fell and broke her hip two years ago, she has not been able to walk without a walker or wheel chair. For about a year and a half, she couldn't walk at all and had to be hoisted in and out of bed with a hydraulic lift.
My oldest grandson Sidney is nearly ten years old; he remembers when Nanny was mobile enough to help clean house and cook dinner. He is also accustomed to seeing her incapacitated and using a variety of medical equipment. He loved to swing in the hoist and ride up and down on the wheelchair lift on my mom's van when Nanny had need of those items. You can see him borrowing Nanny's walker to steady himself on roller blades!
My two younger grandsons, Liam and Jonas, (born two weeks apart in 2009) are now 17 months old. They have an entirely different relationship with Nanny.
Jonas has visited Nanny more often than Liam has. Jonas is quite comfortable with Nanny and will sit in the bed next to her and jabber away. He brings toys to her when she's sitting in her lift chair in the living room. He likes to push the buttons and make her go up and down.
Liam will have nothing to do with Nanny other than stare at her from across the room. He cries if she reaches out to touch him, and he screamed and climbed my body trying to keep me from putting him in bed next to her. I didn't force the issue. I simply held him and stepped back from her bed and he stopped crying. He also associates the wheelchair with Nanny and is intimidated by it. He really didn't want to be in the wheelchair for this photo shoot, but since his cousins were playing in it and my mom was taking them for a ride, he bore with our shenanigans.
In summary, I think this comfort level (or lack thereof) has a lot to do with what a child gets used to, but it's also a difference in personality. Jonas is more outgoing than Liam in most ways, but I'm sure Liam would come to accept Nanny and her gear if he were around her more.
I think it is a good idea to let children try out the medical equipment used by an elderly or disabled family member as long as they don't get hurt or break the equipment. It's a good experience for children to interact with the elderly, but it should not be forced upon them. How do you feel about this?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Ever since Nanny fell and broke her hip two years ago, she has not been able to walk without a walker or wheel chair. For about a year and a half, she couldn't walk at all and had to be hoisted in and out of bed with a hydraulic lift. My oldest grandson Sidney is nearly ten years old; he remembers when Nanny was mobile enough to help clean house and cook dinner. He is also accustomed to seeing her incapacitated and using a variety of medical equipment. He loved to swing in the hoist and ride up and down on the wheelchair lift on my mom's van when Nanny had need of those items. You can see him borrowing Nanny's walker to steady himself on roller blades!
My two younger grandsons, Liam and Jonas, (born two weeks apart in 2009) are now 17 months old. They have an entirely different relationship with Nanny.
Jonas has visited Nanny more often than Liam has. Jonas is quite comfortable with Nanny and will sit in the bed next to her and jabber away. He brings toys to her when she's sitting in her lift chair in the living room. He likes to push the buttons and make her go up and down.
Liam will have nothing to do with Nanny other than stare at her from across the room. He cries if she reaches out to touch him, and he screamed and climbed my body trying to keep me from putting him in bed next to her. I didn't force the issue. I simply held him and stepped back from her bed and he stopped crying. He also associates the wheelchair with Nanny and is intimidated by it. He really didn't want to be in the wheelchair for this photo shoot, but since his cousins were playing in it and my mom was taking them for a ride, he bore with our shenanigans.
In summary, I think this comfort level (or lack thereof) has a lot to do with what a child gets used to, but it's also a difference in personality. Jonas is more outgoing than Liam in most ways, but I'm sure Liam would come to accept Nanny and her gear if he were around her more.
I think it is a good idea to let children try out the medical equipment used by an elderly or disabled family member as long as they don't get hurt or break the equipment. It's a good experience for children to interact with the elderly, but it should not be forced upon them. How do you feel about this?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Story by Author Mary E. Martin
Today we have a story written by author Mary E. Martin that shows how we entertain angels and our “deceased” loved ones unaware. Be sure to visit Mary at http://www.thedrawinglesson.com/ or http://www.theosgoodetrilogy.com/.
DINNER IS SERVED
John McGrath looked up from the busy street and read the sign: Cavendish Hotel. Pulling open the front door, he stepped in to find a small foyer of potted plants, mirrors and vinyl covered furniture. Wearily, he set his bag down at the reception desk and rang the bell. He had to find a place to sleep. The desk clerk lumbered from the back room and looked at him crossly, as if he had been disturbed from a late afternoon nap. After signing the register, John took the key to his room and found the tiny elevator around a pillar and down a dark hallway.
To his great surprise, the elevator was beautifully crafted with dark mahogany wood and gleaming brass. The doors clanged shut and he pressed the button for the fifth floor. The cage rose swiftly through the dark shaft and stopped. The doors opened and John stepped out.
"Good evening, sir." A small man appeared in the shadowy hallway dressed in an old fashioned bell cap's uniform of the deepest blue, with buttons and braid of the shiniest gold. John nodded and sought to pass him.
"Let me take that, sir?" The bell boy took John's case and hurried down the red carpeted hallway." Looking over his shoulder, the bellman grinned. "Room 502, a very nice one, to be sure, sir."
Again John simply nodded. All he could think of was to sink onto the bed and with any luck, straight to sleep. Once in the room, he looked about. Not a room he expected to find in a run-down hotel. The bed was wide and comfortable looking, with a huge headboard. Little framed prints covered the walls and to one side was a very large armchair, sofa and table. He tipped the bellman, who touched his cap, clicked his heels and disappeared.
John switched on the light in the bathroom and immediately saw his gray, haggard face in the mirror above the sink. Taking a towel, he ran the water as hot as he could, then washed his face. No wonder he looked so sick. He could never sleep properly. A whole year had passed since his wife and son had been killed in a car accident. He dreaded tonight, the anniversary of their deaths as if he were a convict on death row awaiting execution. He patted his face dry and turned to go back into the bedroom.
He opened the door. His mouth gaped open. Before him was set a beautiful table laden with white linen, gleaming silver and crystal glasses. The bellman entered the room with steaming silver dishes filled with the most delicious smelling food. John shook his head in disbelief. The bellman smiled and after setting the dishes out on the table, pulled the chair out for John.
John could not believe his eyes, but slowly he sank into the chair. The small man lifted one cover after another from the serving dishes and began to spoon out potatoes, corn and peas and then he carved two slices of succulent roast beef and set them on the plate before John. To his surprise, the food was real. He was not dreaming. Scooping up some vegetables, he tasted them carefully. It was hot and delicious. After months of no appetite, John was suddenly ravenously hungry. He grasped his knife and cut the meat. For the next ten minutes, he ate without pause, feeling warmth and energy flood through his body. The bellman nodded approvingly and poured John a glass of wine. Only when he had finished all the food on his plate, did he pause to take a sip. He felt life coursing through his veins.
John glanced about the room and was surprised to see a maid near the window. Smiling, she approached the table and set out the dessert.
"You have eaten with such a good appetite, sir," she said. "But why do you look so sad?"
John tossed down his napkin and pushed back his chair. He looked at his watch. "Because, at this time exactly, one year ago, my wife and son, whom I loved with all my heart, were killed in a car accident." John stifled a sob. "And since then, I have been unable to sleep or eat. I miss them so much.
The bellman and the maid exchanged worried glances.
"But John," the maid said softly, "do you think that just because it is daylight, the stars are no longer in the heavens?"
"Of course, not. That would be foolish."
"Just because you are surrounded by fog, do you think the world has disappeared?"
John sighed heavily. "Really! Don't bother me with silly questions. They are gone forever and I am alone."
The maid shook her head sadly. The bellman spoke. "We will leave you now, sir as you seem very tired. But please remember, your wife and son are always with you."
Glad to be left alone, John nodded then sank wearily on the bed. The bellman and the maid closed the door softly behind them. For a whole year, he had been afraid to lie down in bed, expecting to be tortured by longing for his family. But tonight, he settled comfortably on top of the covers. Within a moment, he was breathing deeply and fast asleep.
He slept a deep and dreamless sleep without moving once in the night.
In the morning, he awoke for the first time in a year, completely rested. He sat up expecting to see the dinner table and the dishes from last night. The room was entirely clean. Not a trace of the meal remained. How strange, he thought. He had not heard the man and woman come back for the dishes.
Puzzled, he packed his few things in his bag and stepped into the hallway. He half expected to see the maid or bellman, but then realized that they would not be on the morning shift.
Downstairs at the front desk, John examined the bill. Being an honest man, he said to the clerk, "But there is no charge for the delicious dinner the bellman and the maid served me last night."
The clerk looked at John in astonishment. "What are you talking about, sir. We haven't had room service in this hotel for at least fifty years. Most of the rooms are closed off. In fact, except for the night clerk, I'm the only one working here."
"But the man and the woman...they served me a roast beef dinner."
The clerk began to chuckle. "And did they send up the dancing girls, too?"
"What?" John backed away from the desk. "All right. Here's the money for the room."
Quickly John picked up his bag and headed for the door. Outside, he stopped on the steps. On the sidewalk, stood the bellman, resplendent in his uniform. Seeing John, the man tipped his cap and said, "Good morning, John. I trust you slept well. Your family has not forgotten you."
Smiling, John said goodbye and hurried down the street with life in his stride.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
DINNER IS SERVED
John McGrath looked up from the busy street and read the sign: Cavendish Hotel. Pulling open the front door, he stepped in to find a small foyer of potted plants, mirrors and vinyl covered furniture. Wearily, he set his bag down at the reception desk and rang the bell. He had to find a place to sleep. The desk clerk lumbered from the back room and looked at him crossly, as if he had been disturbed from a late afternoon nap. After signing the register, John took the key to his room and found the tiny elevator around a pillar and down a dark hallway.
To his great surprise, the elevator was beautifully crafted with dark mahogany wood and gleaming brass. The doors clanged shut and he pressed the button for the fifth floor. The cage rose swiftly through the dark shaft and stopped. The doors opened and John stepped out.
"Good evening, sir." A small man appeared in the shadowy hallway dressed in an old fashioned bell cap's uniform of the deepest blue, with buttons and braid of the shiniest gold. John nodded and sought to pass him.
"Let me take that, sir?" The bell boy took John's case and hurried down the red carpeted hallway." Looking over his shoulder, the bellman grinned. "Room 502, a very nice one, to be sure, sir."
Again John simply nodded. All he could think of was to sink onto the bed and with any luck, straight to sleep. Once in the room, he looked about. Not a room he expected to find in a run-down hotel. The bed was wide and comfortable looking, with a huge headboard. Little framed prints covered the walls and to one side was a very large armchair, sofa and table. He tipped the bellman, who touched his cap, clicked his heels and disappeared.
John switched on the light in the bathroom and immediately saw his gray, haggard face in the mirror above the sink. Taking a towel, he ran the water as hot as he could, then washed his face. No wonder he looked so sick. He could never sleep properly. A whole year had passed since his wife and son had been killed in a car accident. He dreaded tonight, the anniversary of their deaths as if he were a convict on death row awaiting execution. He patted his face dry and turned to go back into the bedroom.
He opened the door. His mouth gaped open. Before him was set a beautiful table laden with white linen, gleaming silver and crystal glasses. The bellman entered the room with steaming silver dishes filled with the most delicious smelling food. John shook his head in disbelief. The bellman smiled and after setting the dishes out on the table, pulled the chair out for John.
John could not believe his eyes, but slowly he sank into the chair. The small man lifted one cover after another from the serving dishes and began to spoon out potatoes, corn and peas and then he carved two slices of succulent roast beef and set them on the plate before John. To his surprise, the food was real. He was not dreaming. Scooping up some vegetables, he tasted them carefully. It was hot and delicious. After months of no appetite, John was suddenly ravenously hungry. He grasped his knife and cut the meat. For the next ten minutes, he ate without pause, feeling warmth and energy flood through his body. The bellman nodded approvingly and poured John a glass of wine. Only when he had finished all the food on his plate, did he pause to take a sip. He felt life coursing through his veins.
John glanced about the room and was surprised to see a maid near the window. Smiling, she approached the table and set out the dessert.
"You have eaten with such a good appetite, sir," she said. "But why do you look so sad?"
John tossed down his napkin and pushed back his chair. He looked at his watch. "Because, at this time exactly, one year ago, my wife and son, whom I loved with all my heart, were killed in a car accident." John stifled a sob. "And since then, I have been unable to sleep or eat. I miss them so much.
The bellman and the maid exchanged worried glances.
"But John," the maid said softly, "do you think that just because it is daylight, the stars are no longer in the heavens?"
"Of course, not. That would be foolish."
"Just because you are surrounded by fog, do you think the world has disappeared?"
John sighed heavily. "Really! Don't bother me with silly questions. They are gone forever and I am alone."
The maid shook her head sadly. The bellman spoke. "We will leave you now, sir as you seem very tired. But please remember, your wife and son are always with you."
Glad to be left alone, John nodded then sank wearily on the bed. The bellman and the maid closed the door softly behind them. For a whole year, he had been afraid to lie down in bed, expecting to be tortured by longing for his family. But tonight, he settled comfortably on top of the covers. Within a moment, he was breathing deeply and fast asleep.
He slept a deep and dreamless sleep without moving once in the night.
In the morning, he awoke for the first time in a year, completely rested. He sat up expecting to see the dinner table and the dishes from last night. The room was entirely clean. Not a trace of the meal remained. How strange, he thought. He had not heard the man and woman come back for the dishes.
Puzzled, he packed his few things in his bag and stepped into the hallway. He half expected to see the maid or bellman, but then realized that they would not be on the morning shift.
Downstairs at the front desk, John examined the bill. Being an honest man, he said to the clerk, "But there is no charge for the delicious dinner the bellman and the maid served me last night."
The clerk looked at John in astonishment. "What are you talking about, sir. We haven't had room service in this hotel for at least fifty years. Most of the rooms are closed off. In fact, except for the night clerk, I'm the only one working here."
"But the man and the woman...they served me a roast beef dinner."
The clerk began to chuckle. "And did they send up the dancing girls, too?"
"What?" John backed away from the desk. "All right. Here's the money for the room."
Quickly John picked up his bag and headed for the door. Outside, he stopped on the steps. On the sidewalk, stood the bellman, resplendent in his uniform. Seeing John, the man tipped his cap and said, "Good morning, John. I trust you slept well. Your family has not forgotten you."
Smiling, John said goodbye and hurried down the street with life in his stride.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Spirits Who Cross Over Are Able to Visit Us on Earth
There are times when a spirit has a personal message for me or another person. If I can deliver the message without causing discomfort to myself, I will try to do so.
For example, I was keeping my grandsons at their home while their parents were away for a week celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary.The day before Amanda and my son returned home, Amanda’s mother, Kendra (“Nanna K” as her grandchildren called her), dropped by in spirit. I knew and loved Kendra and didn’t even have to ask who the spirit was. There was a lightness, warmth, and sense of love surrounding me as I heard her say, “I’m just dropping by to check on my babies. It’s good to see you here. Thank you for all you do for Amanda and the boys.” I was glad she dropped by.
I was curious to know whether or not my seventeen-month-old grandson could see her so I asked Kendra to sit in the chair next to him. I said, “Jonas, your grandmother is here. Can you say hello?” He looked directly at the chair then back to me as if to say, "which one?" Both of his grandmothers were there!
I know earthbound spirits are able to interact with us on the earth plane, but I wasn't sure if those like Kendra who have crossed over and into the light were able to. Kendra's visit confirmed what I read in Mary Ann Winkowski's book, When Ghosts Speak. Those who cross over are able to visit many dimensions and vibrational planes, while those spirits who have not crossed over are stuck in the earth plane until they choose to cross over. I also find it interesting that we have free will and choice in the afterlife.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
For example, I was keeping my grandsons at their home while their parents were away for a week celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary.The day before Amanda and my son returned home, Amanda’s mother, Kendra (“Nanna K” as her grandchildren called her), dropped by in spirit. I knew and loved Kendra and didn’t even have to ask who the spirit was. There was a lightness, warmth, and sense of love surrounding me as I heard her say, “I’m just dropping by to check on my babies. It’s good to see you here. Thank you for all you do for Amanda and the boys.” I was glad she dropped by.
I was curious to know whether or not my seventeen-month-old grandson could see her so I asked Kendra to sit in the chair next to him. I said, “Jonas, your grandmother is here. Can you say hello?” He looked directly at the chair then back to me as if to say, "which one?" Both of his grandmothers were there!
I know earthbound spirits are able to interact with us on the earth plane, but I wasn't sure if those like Kendra who have crossed over and into the light were able to. Kendra's visit confirmed what I read in Mary Ann Winkowski's book, When Ghosts Speak. Those who cross over are able to visit many dimensions and vibrational planes, while those spirits who have not crossed over are stuck in the earth plane until they choose to cross over. I also find it interesting that we have free will and choice in the afterlife.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information, you might enjoy reading More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
Purchase on Amazon.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
What are Ghosts?
I've been reading a lot of books lately: When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits
by Mary Ann Winkowski, The Spirits' Book, Inspiration and Resolution for the Questioning Soul by Allan Kardec, and Strangers Among Us
by Ruth Montgomery.
Mary Ann Winkowski is a paranormal investigator who sees earthbound ghosts with her physical eyes like the character, Melinda Gordon, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt on Ghost Whisperer. In fact, Winkowski provides consultation for the writers of the CBS show produced by John Gray. Mary Ann is an authority on earthbound spirits, while Kardec's writing is a compilation of messages channelled to mediums, and Montgomery received her information from her guides via automatic writing.
These credible works confirm what I believe about the afterlife. Ghosts that do not cross over into the Light upon "death" are not much different than human beings--they just don't have a body. Their personalities, likes, dislikes, motives, etc. are much the same as they were while in a body. Some kind beings stayed behind to help loved ones; others stayed behind to wrack havoc in the lives of humans.
However, what I was confused about prior to my research was the hierarchy of spirits. Why are some more elevated or powerful than others? From these channeled writings, I learned that there are levels through which a soul ascends as it achieves purification. The closer to the Creator a soul becomes, the more power and authority that soul has. Those in the higher realms can assist those not as purified, but those of a carnal nature that only intend harm are not allowed to access the realms enjoyed by the higher spirits.
There is work to be done in the afterlife, but since a soul is not hindered with the confines and ailments of a physical body, this works is accomplished without struggle or suffering. The work has to do with assisting the will and plan of the Creator to help others evolve.
Since there is free will at every level, a soul can choose whether or not to cross over upon departure from the human body. Winkowski's grandmother started taking her to funeral homes when she was four years old to communicate messages between the "deceased" and their loved ones. She reports that there is a tunnel of light open to every newly departed soul, but this opportunity exists for only a few days after the memorial service. Those who miss this chance to cross over will find a second chance available at funeral homes wherever a body lies in state.
Another point she makes is that earthbound loved ones can hear and see us, but they cannot visit us in dreams. Those who cross over typically appear to us in dreams and may drop in to visit from time to time. This view of the afterlife and the cycle of evolution is so assuring and loving that I could never again embrace fear-based religions that teach we have to get it right the first and only time in order to avoid hellfire and damnation.
by Mary Ann Winkowski, The Spirits' Book, Inspiration and Resolution for the Questioning Soul by Allan Kardec, and Strangers Among Us by Ruth Montgomery.Mary Ann Winkowski is a paranormal investigator who sees earthbound ghosts with her physical eyes like the character, Melinda Gordon, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt on Ghost Whisperer. In fact, Winkowski provides consultation for the writers of the CBS show produced by John Gray. Mary Ann is an authority on earthbound spirits, while Kardec's writing is a compilation of messages channelled to mediums, and Montgomery received her information from her guides via automatic writing.
These credible works confirm what I believe about the afterlife. Ghosts that do not cross over into the Light upon "death" are not much different than human beings--they just don't have a body. Their personalities, likes, dislikes, motives, etc. are much the same as they were while in a body. Some kind beings stayed behind to help loved ones; others stayed behind to wrack havoc in the lives of humans.
However, what I was confused about prior to my research was the hierarchy of spirits. Why are some more elevated or powerful than others? From these channeled writings, I learned that there are levels through which a soul ascends as it achieves purification. The closer to the Creator a soul becomes, the more power and authority that soul has. Those in the higher realms can assist those not as purified, but those of a carnal nature that only intend harm are not allowed to access the realms enjoyed by the higher spirits.
There is work to be done in the afterlife, but since a soul is not hindered with the confines and ailments of a physical body, this works is accomplished without struggle or suffering. The work has to do with assisting the will and plan of the Creator to help others evolve.
Since there is free will at every level, a soul can choose whether or not to cross over upon departure from the human body. Winkowski's grandmother started taking her to funeral homes when she was four years old to communicate messages between the "deceased" and their loved ones. She reports that there is a tunnel of light open to every newly departed soul, but this opportunity exists for only a few days after the memorial service. Those who miss this chance to cross over will find a second chance available at funeral homes wherever a body lies in state.
Another point she makes is that earthbound loved ones can hear and see us, but they cannot visit us in dreams. Those who cross over typically appear to us in dreams and may drop in to visit from time to time. This view of the afterlife and the cycle of evolution is so assuring and loving that I could never again embrace fear-based religions that teach we have to get it right the first and only time in order to avoid hellfire and damnation.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Speaker on Death and Grieving Topics
Yvonne Perry is available to speak about the topics presented on this blog and in her book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife.
There are some aspects of dying and death common to everyone regardless of background. These mainstream topics include hospice and palliative care; giving a dying patient permission to let go; the mind-body-spirit connection; helping a patient and family accept impending death; unplugging a dying patient from life support; signs that the end of life is near; and comforting the grieving family.
Those who are open to non-traditional thoughts will enjoy a presentation of the spiritual aspects surrounding death and dying, which include reincarnation; soul activity in the afterlife; assisting a soul in its release from the body; spirit communication during days/weeks after loved one dies; signs that a “deceased” loved one is trying to connect with a family member(s); and protocol for interacting with spirits. More info on this topic . . .
Learn more about Yvonne and her speaking experience.
There are some aspects of dying and death common to everyone regardless of background. These mainstream topics include hospice and palliative care; giving a dying patient permission to let go; the mind-body-spirit connection; helping a patient and family accept impending death; unplugging a dying patient from life support; signs that the end of life is near; and comforting the grieving family.
Those who are open to non-traditional thoughts will enjoy a presentation of the spiritual aspects surrounding death and dying, which include reincarnation; soul activity in the afterlife; assisting a soul in its release from the body; spirit communication during days/weeks after loved one dies; signs that a “deceased” loved one is trying to connect with a family member(s); and protocol for interacting with spirits. More info on this topic . . .
Learn more about Yvonne and her speaking experience.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Setting Boundaries With Spirits
That 100-foot voting boundary line sure seems to be getting closer to the door these days. As I walked through the exterior corridor to the library, I heard voices calling out on both sides of me:
"Would you be so kind as to vote for Candidate B?"
"I'm Candidate A. Thank you for voting for me today, ma'am."
"Please vote for Mr. Candidate."
"'Pre-shate yer vote for me. I'm running fer metro council."
It reminded me of the vendors hawking their wares in the villa when we visited the Dominican Republic. Every seller was offering some kind of bargain to passersby, trying to get the attention and money of every customer and beat out the competition.
I also got a mental picture of disembodied spirits (ghosts) who constantly surround us, yelling negative messages and trying to get us to do their bidding. There are energy-sensitive people who don't realize that the angry thoughts, criticism, depression, and other unloving voices they hear in their heads are not just their own mind chatter. These negative messages are actually attempts that Earth-bound spirits make to leech off our energy and fulfill their base desires through a human.
In my upcoming book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom From the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You, I will explore the how these entities affect us and how we can put up our own 100-foot boundary and make them repect our No Trespassing sign.
Folks who are looking for help with turning off or managing the load of emotional information they receive will find helpful information about how to shield themselves and develop the skills needed to use the gift of empathy in a way that is beneficial for all.
If this book sounds like something you would enjoy reading, please sign up to get a reminder at http://weareoneinspirit.blogspot.com/p/join.html when the book is ready.
"Would you be so kind as to vote for Candidate B?"
"I'm Candidate A. Thank you for voting for me today, ma'am."
"Please vote for Mr. Candidate."
"'Pre-shate yer vote for me. I'm running fer metro council."
It reminded me of the vendors hawking their wares in the villa when we visited the Dominican Republic. Every seller was offering some kind of bargain to passersby, trying to get the attention and money of every customer and beat out the competition.
In my upcoming book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom From the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You, I will explore the how these entities affect us and how we can put up our own 100-foot boundary and make them repect our No Trespassing sign.
Folks who are looking for help with turning off or managing the load of emotional information they receive will find helpful information about how to shield themselves and develop the skills needed to use the gift of empathy in a way that is beneficial for all.
If this book sounds like something you would enjoy reading, please sign up to get a reminder at http://weareoneinspirit.blogspot.com/p/join.html when the book is ready.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Man Actually Returns From the Dead After 3 Days Part 2 of 2
Man Actually Returns From the Dead After 3 Days Part 2 of 2
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For more information, you might enjoy reading the complete book More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase on Amazon.com
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For more information, you might enjoy reading the complete book More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase on Amazon.com
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