We're meant to be social entities interacting with and reacting with others in a positive way, and we're designed to be outward and giving. If we didn't, we wouldn't have arms and hands that hold, ears and eyes that hear and see our world, and a mouth that can speak words of kindness and offer assistance. If we don't value our relationships with other people, then we might as well have been created as a tube with rollers. I'm not saying that I don't love time alone, but it should be spent in a productive manner - getting involved in a hobby, writing, listening to CDs or music, or even daydreaming.

 

 

If we're too focused on how everything affects us, we can become anxious or neurotic. Indeed, the word occult, which means "secretive, hidden, and reclusive," doesn't just describe religious groups or sects, but it can apply to us individually as well. If we're left to our own thoughts, with no ambitions or concerns except those that directly affect us, we'll find that eventually we'll be nothing but miserable. But if we have a higher goal of loving God and approaching this life as an in-service workshop to learn for the glory of our soul, we can be alone for awhile, yet we'll always have the knowledge that the whole purpose of coming here was to give a blessing to another person's life. If we accept this "magnificent obsession" - that is, helping others and growing spiritually - we'll truly grow to know ourselves.

 

 

In addition, dealing with other people trains us to improve ourselves in every situation.

 

 Sometimes, those around us will make us impatient, so we'll have the opportunity to learn patience. We may see prejudice, so we'll become understanding and know that we're all equal. Our experiences will teach us honesty, because if we're not truthful, our deceit always comes back to us. We'll learn justice, righteousness, and even tolerance. If we're not subjected to anything or anyone but ourselves, what reflection do we have to grow from? How will we learn to live with honesty and without hypocrisy unless we go through life and get burned now and then, which teaches us to avoid the hellfire of negativity that exists only on this plane?

 

 

When we deal with people in a helpful, caring capacity, it's almost as if a blessing falls over us like a mantle, and when we take care of God's creatures and creations, God will take care of us. Does that mean that our lives will always be full of nothing but joy and happiness? Of course not, but we'll be able to cope with disappointments and sadness. Think of John Walsh, the creator of TV's America's Most Wanted, who turned the pain of losing his son into positive energy by tracking down fugitives who prey on people.

 

 

 Likewise, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) was started by two women, Cindi Lamb (whose infant daughter was permanently disabled in an accident caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol) and Candace Lightner (whose teenage daughter was killed by a drunk driver with multiple previous convictions), who turned their heartache into something productive that continues to yield great good.

 

 

Finally, getting outside of ourselves means letting go of impotent worry. Worry without action is nothing but damaging. Do we want to waste our time agonizing over scenarios that may never occur? That's an excuse in futility. Taking action when we're faced with actual challenges that can be tackled, on the other hand, is productive. So, for instance, rather than carrying on about your health, get yourself checked out by a doctor. Instead of getting yourself worked up about whether a friend is mad at you, ask if anything is wrong. And don't get distressed when your spouse isn't his or her usual self. Instead, investigate the cause of the change. Some people avoid this direct approach, claiming, "What I don't know can't hurt me," Well, if that's so, then how come they said this in the first place? Could it be that they're secretly stewing about something rather than facing it head-on?

 

 

 

 

As we thread through the tapestry of life, we weave into it many colors and textures, and it's up to us to either make it beautiful or let it get frayed and threadbare. As we get to know ourselves and our reactions to various situations, we can begin to throw away what we don't want and keep what we find good in ourselves. We'll know what gives us righteous anger, what makes us happy or sad, and so on. When you know you, all your psychic channels open up.

 

 

The dictionary's definition of psychic is "the power of discernment." Usually it's the power to see, sense, or feel without any tangible clue. It's a skill that may come on quickly - sometimes without rhyme or reason. Whether you call it intuition, a hunch, or a sense of "remembering," it's a gift that comes from God. As you become more helpful and outgoing, your spirituality will increase and your ability to sense and know will just come naturally. If you're shy or introverted, then start by connecting with just one kind individual you feel comfortable with, perhaps a child or an older person. Then you can start asking yourself questions. We've often been told not to trust our first impressions, but this is so wrong.

 

 Take whatever comes to you, and if you can't say it out loud, record it in a journal.

 

 

Don't be discouraged if at first you get some inaccurate information or no response at all. Even nothing can be an answer. Maybe nothing's going on! Again take your first impression. Use the following categories for questions and be open to any other messages that come in as well:

 

 

 

 

If you feel a sense of brightness, as if your psychic sense has just been activated, then go further and ask, "Who does this message pertain to?" Jot down your answers: Is the person short, medium, or tall; are they from the past, present or future? In general, time can be hard to determine, so when you're trying to figure out anything that has to do with specific chronology, ask yourself if it feels immediate or further away. Start by counting months, seasons, years, and you'll find that one answer will feel better, or more "on."

 

 

This is a simple way to start, but it begins to exercise the muscle that I believe lies in what we call the "limbic brain," which is part of our mind that most scientists don't understand. I'm convinced that this is the location of our third eye, on the right side of our head above the ear - also known as the "dead zone."

 

 

Of course, this part of our mind isn't really dead, it just lies dormant until we open the door. Actually, we use it all the time and don't even realize it. For instance, have you ever said to a friend, "What's on your mind? You're not yourself today?" You may notice that something is different only moments after you see her. Perhaps she seems happy and full of life and then she admits that she's in love. Or he may seem down or depressed, and then tell you that he has a horrendous migraine or problems at home.

 

 

Naysayers will claim that you're just picking up on body language, but if that's the case, then how can my son and I and so many other psychics do readings over the phone, especially when the caller hasn't said anything more than "hello"? The fact is that anyone can open up their psychic channels anywhere and at any time. All they have to do is simply ask themselves a question and take their first answer or impression.

 

 

Here's a final caution: Whenever you take, you must also give back in comparable measure. So if you're doing readings for financial gain only, or to satisfy your own ego, then you're doomed to failure. It's spiritual law.

 

 

Love always,