Gifts From Beyond

  Gifts from Beyond
by
Roberta Simpson Brown

 

With Christmas gifts still on my mind and with the gift of a whole new year stretching ahead, I always ask myself in January what has really meant the most in my life. When I was younger, I looked for answers in large things—big presents, big events, etc. I soon realized these were not the most meaningful. The greatest gifts were the small ones that let me know that life is eternal. One such gift came from my older sister, Fatima, who moved on in 2007.

Fatima loved holidays and always tried to get each person on her list a unique gift. Late in her life, while she was suffering from a stroke and heart problem, she had my nephew’s girlfriend purchase a Rooster Cookie Jar for me. The girlfriend was reluctant to do this because she knew I had no great love for roosters. Mom had a couple of roosters that used to fight me when I was a child. I’d run to Fatima yelling with my childish lisp, “Thister! Thister! Help! The old rooster’s after me!” She would come to my aid!

Through the years, that became a joke between us. When one of us would have a problem, we’d call the other and say, “Thister! The Old Rooster’s after me!” And the other would help solve the problem. The rooster cookie jar was a wonderful gift that reminded me of that.

Fatima was bedridden from the stroke for three long years. I helped all I could, but her condition eventually required treatment we could not give at home. She had to be placed in a nursing home where she hoped she’d never be. The Old Rooster was there indeed, and I had failed to help her. I felt very burdened by that failure.

Fatima’s last day on earth was February 1, 2007. Christmas of 2007 was the first Christmas in my entire life that we spent apart. I hoped she would appear in some ghostly form, but she didn’t. I felt she was near, but there was no visible sign.

Then late on Christmas night, I was thinking of a long poem Fatima had helped me learn for a school program when I was in the second grade. We had lost our copy, and had been unable to find another even on the Internet. The teacher had not given us the author’s name or the book it came from, so we finally gave up looking. Suddenly Fatima’s face flashed vividly into my mind. Go to the computer and type in the title of the poem. She didn’t say the words aloud, but that was the message she sent. I had done that before without success, but I decided to try one more time. As soon as I typed in the title, the entire poem came up on the screen! Someone who had a blog for home schooling had just posted it, and he wrote that he had no idea why!

I printed out the poem and all the information about it, and Fatima’s face flashed in my mind again. She sent me another mental message:

Stop worrying! It’s okay! My stroke was one Old Rooster too big for you to fight! Think about the good things and move on!

My burden immediately lifted. Her understanding was a great gift, but I realized she had managed to give me a unique, tangible gift, too. In my hand was the printout of the poem we had loved and searched for together. I would never have looked for the poem if she had not directed me.

I truly believe she is often with me, and I am convinced that life, the greatest gift of all, is truly eternal.

Natural Healing

  Natural Healing for the Mind, Body, and Spirit
by Beth Hooe Gilbert

As we delve into winter and the threat of cold and the flu season looms overhead, I am reminded of some fascinating articles about the ocean and it’s healing abilities. Can the ocean, sea air, and sand actually have natural healing powers? There is so much more to the ocean than just its majestic beauty and extraordinary sea creatures. I have always thought of the beach as a spiritual place, and a place where an overwhelming since of tranquility can embrace you if you allow it to. If your mind is at peace, your body can be well too.

I had a recent experience that allowed me to see firsthand just how amazing being at the ocean can be. My son had chronic tonsil and ear problems over the winter in 2008. The last bout of tonsillitis caused snoring and sleep apnea. I took him to an ear, nose, and throat specialist and she advised me that me that my son’s tonsils were swollen and probably holding on to a virus making it nearly impossible for him to feel well. My son would actually stop breathing for several seconds many times during the night. I felt helpless as he gasped for air. The specialist took a wait and see approach over the summer. During one of our summer visits, I told her we were planning our annual vacation to the beach. I wanted to make sure it was all right to go, and she said that once we arrived at the ocean we would see almost immediate relief from the apnea and snoring. Not only that, but she was sure the swelling would go down as well. I asked “Why?” Her answer was a simple, “because of the sea air”. Within a week of being at the beach, the snoring ceased. The apnea ceased. More amazingly, the tonsils actually were at their normal size again. Unfortunately by the time fall arrived he would need to have the tonsils removed, but until that moment came, the properties of the sea allowed him tremendous relief for a period of time during his summer vacation to the beach. The ocean is a serene place and I have often heard that it has healing properties that go beyond conventional medicine. I learned first hand this summer that is true.

I am an avid reader, and have enjoyed the writings of Edgar Cayce and of The Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. (A. R. E.), but I never realized just how much the sea probably played a part in his readings during the last years of his life until visiting the facility one summer while on vacation in Virginia Beach. After building a hospital in Virginia Beach in 1929, he founded A.R.E. in 1931. It is written that Edgar Cayce did not choose the beach to build his hospital but rather the beach chose him. In one of his readings it is said that the water raises our vibration and therefore raises our psychic awareness.

I also learned while there that one treatment that they used at Edgar Cayce’s hospital was hot sand packs. They would take a person and pack them with hot sand and seawater. He learned while doing readings that Virginia Beach in particular had a high content of gold and was highly radioactive thus had tremendous healing properties.

Scientists believe that the body needs negative ions to have a healthy physical balance. Moving water, such as waves in the ocean, are said to release such ions into the air. Some scientists have claimed that negatively charged ions, like those found in the sea, improve many health related problems including asthma and are also said to help our psychological mood just by breathing them in. I am not a scientist, but I do know that being near the water always makes me feel good both mentally and physically.

Aside from physical health, I believe that the ocean serves our spiritual self too. I attended a workshop and learned that early mediums used seashells as a tool when developing their clairaudience. Clairaudience can be defined as the ability to hear voices from spirits that have passed on to the other side. While holding a seashell to the ear practicing mediums were able to distinguish human voices that eventually would become more audible over time. If we are open to the possibility, the ocean plays not only a part in our physical and mental health and happiness, but allows us to connect to other dimensions as well.

As I watch the seagulls glide effortlessly over the sand and surf or as I watch the dolphins playfully frolic just off of the coast I am in awe of all the sea is. The ocean has so many wonderful things to offer and if we take the time to notice, we can grow spiritually because of them. The sea may not be able to cure all of our diseases, (and we should definitely always consult a doctor), but while we are there, it may make us feel a little better. Sometimes attitude is half of the battle, and if we feel more relaxed and therefore happier as we watch the wave’s crash to the shore, are we not better off just having had the experience?

I recognize that some of us cannot make the trek to the sea as often as we would like. When I’m not able to be near the ocean, I believe there are other natural steps we can take to ensure a healthy mind and body. My dear friend practices yoga. Yoga not only tones the body, but calms the mind in the process. Meditation is another great tool that can release built up stress.

I have recently been reading and learning about chakra healing. It is the belief that the body has energy centers called chakras and the practice is thousands of years old. You can strengthen, activate and energize these areas for better health. The seven chakras moving up the body are the root, the sacral, the navel, the heart, the throat, the forehead, and the crown chakra. Chakra healing is used in holistic practices, and just may be the key to better physical health and inner peace.

Rick has a great CD titled “Your New Life Attitude”. It reminds us that if our outlook is positive, our bodies can be well too.

Wherever your journey takes you in 2010, I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

The Other Side

  The Other Side Communicates Constantly
By
Lynn Stahl

Loved ones on the other side communicate with us constantly. The trouble is most of the time we miss those communications, or we discount them as coincidences. As adults, it is more difficult for us to pick up on their signs because we have lost a lot of our natural intuitiveness.

We have to be willing to open ourselves up in order to receive their communications. When you are ready to be accepting of their signs, you will become more adept at recognizing them up and you will be pleasantly surprised at how many there are.

The easiest way for your loved one to visit you is through your dreams. Try to keep a notebook by your bed and when you wake up jot down any thoughts. Interpretation is important in dreams. Be positive with your interpretations. They are not going to bother to send you negative communications. Watch for orbs, small balls of light, which can move quickly. Quite often they show up in photos so check your photos. It is easy for the spirit world to manipulate small electrical objects such as flicking the lights, turning on or off small appliances and radios, etc.

Physical signs would be something sent just at the right time that makes you think of your loved one. Examples would be reoccurrences of butterflies, birds, feathers, flowers, coins, etc. They are also able to move small objects. See if you notice things missing from their usual spot like keys. Also watch for small objects appearing out of nowhere like coins etc. A special scent can be sent that you are familiar with which makes you think of them.

If you are one of the fortunate ones that are able to hear them, it is usually in the form of thoughts. In order to receive thoughts, it helps to quiet your mind through meditation. If you are able to see them, it would probably be in the form of a shadow or a light. Many people see shadow people. Remember that for children, it is much easier for them to receive loved ones communications. Always listen to your children and take everything seriously when they are talking about seeing or hearing someone from the other side. Children can be full of information if they feel comfortable talking about it.

Ask your children to describe what they see. Find out if they are hearing or getting thoughts from someone. Don’t panic if they say it is a dark shadow. Often spirits only have enough energy to appear as a dark shadow. Never criticize or discount what children say. They will learn quickly to never talk about their experiences even if they continue to get visits from the other side.

Pets can see and hear them easily so watch for your pet’s reactions. See if they are barking or wagging their tail while looking at a wall or the corner of a room. Stop and say hi to your loved one. I always suggest that you listen to your children and watch your pets. They will know if your loved one is present.

The signs or communication that your loved ones send won’t be exactly what you would wish for and it won’t be like it used to be but you just have to accept what they send. Signs can bring you smiles and peace. Let it feel like you are being visited by your loved one.

So remember don’t ever discount signs as coincidences. This is the way the spirit world communicates. How sad it is if you miss them and even more sad for your loved ones who send them.

Images Of Past Lives

  IMAGES OF PAST LIVES. . .
By Linda McCauley - Spirit Seekers Research

Being a Paranormal Investigator, you encounter a lot of odd things. Little did we know when our team was called in to do an investigation for a friend of a friend, that not only would we be returning to this location several times, but we would find several houses to be haunted in this same location, and we would be dredging up spirits of long ago.

Let me tell you a little about our team. We not only do Paranormal investigating by using scientific means, but we have a member who is a sensitive, and we also have an Indian Shaman, by the name of Willie “Windwalker” Gibson, who is a gifted shaman, psychic, and a great spirit communicator. Unlike some other paranormal teams, we also use a Spiritual approach in our investigations. By this, I mean we respect the spirits. If they need help in crossing over, we help them, if not we leave them alone, and wish them well.

When we were called in to do this investigation, the client had been hearing knocks, seeing apparitions, sleeping all day because of little energy, and the feeling of being watched. She was even afraid to go out in her backyard. When we arrived, the atmosphere in this house was very heavy, the attic was even worse. We did our usual base readings, emf sweeps, photographs etc. . . We had heard some knocks, saw some eerie orb type lights, but other than the heavy feelings, not much else. We decided to do a house blessing, to be performed by the Shaman. Things seemed to lighten up, so we left and told the home owner to keep us informed on any future happenings, little did we know, we would be getting a call in a couple of days.

Evidently the blessing had angered the spirits that were there. So we decided to do a more detailed investigation. After doing our normal readings again, we decided to sit for spirit. This involves a candle being lit and a sort of meditation session to see what we could pick up from the spirits. We heard continuous knocking coming from the attic area, saw black shadows throughout the house, saw flying orb lights throughout the area where we were sitting, plus we had put a camera in the attic too, filming a lot of the activity also. We decided to do a full House clearing and blessing to try and clear out the spirits. With the help of the Shaman, several spirits wanted to cross over, so we helped them, but there were still very active spirits there that would not leave. As we proceeded to burn a smudge stick of sage, something was blowing out the fire as fast as we lit it. So we tried some sage leaves instead in a heavy glass ashtray. As soon as the smoke started rising the glass ashtray burst into many pieces. There was no reason for this to logically happen. We continued to sage and bless the house. Everything quieted down, the atmosphere became lighter, but we knew we would be summoned back.

The house blessing gave us a few days to do some land research, before activity increased again. We learned that there were several other houses in the area also haunted, which we also investigated, but everything seemed to center around this one house. After hours of research, we found out that the land was part of a huge plantation at one time, and that there were also Native Americans that were in that area also. But the strange part was that there was a slave cemetery that was never marked on the property, guess where that cemetery was located? Yep you guessed it, smack dab under the location of the haunted houses. In finding this out, the Shaman said that we needed to perform a funeral service on the land, and just to be on the safe side, it wouldn’t hurt to do a Native American ceremony also to appease the spirits. We figured it couldn’t hurt as we had tried almost everything else. Our sensitive on the team had even spotted some Indians lurking in the back of the property, like they were watching what was going on. We arrived on the property about noon, on a sunny clear day. Out entire team stood in a circle with the Shaman and his wife in the center of the circle. He performed a funeral service for any spirits that were buried in unconsecrated land. Then his wife, of Native American Heritage, offered up a Native American burial ceremony, whereby she spoke and sang in a Native American language as she beat upon a ceremonial drum. Who would have guessed that this is what the Spirits had been searching for. As this ceremony took place, a Hawk flew overhead, screeching as it flew over, a gust of wind blew through the circle, and several puffs of white mist were seen rising to the skies. It was an awesome experience. Is this what the spirits had longed for?

After a long and tiring investigation process, the homeowner was relieved to find her home had been cleared of spirits and the atmosphere was light again. She had a renewed energy level. Things have been much better since the investigation, but every once in awhile a wandering spirit from the past might appear at her doorstep, when she feels that oppressive feeling, she knows there is a lost visitor and she tells them to move on, that her house is no longer a haven for them. So far it has seemed to work. Whoever thought Paranormal investigating could be such intensive work, yet so rewarding in the end!

 

Onward and Upward

  ONWARD AND UPWARD
by Lana Wessel

So let’s say one day, just about any day after the loss of a loved one, you’re sitting and asking the question “Why”?

If their life is over, can anything good have survived? You know there was nothing you could have done to stop it, and your rolling through the endless lists of ‘if onlys’ and ‘what if’s’. You do have a choice and begin making the decisions of what is to be salvaged.

Will your life change? Outside of the obvious, it does’nt have to stop there. Will you use what you know to help others through hardship, or will you sit forever in the ‘why me’ world? Because death is not the end but rather a final frontier. We know where they are, now where do we go from here?

I start by taking stock of what is left. What can I still do? There is without reason not to go ahead with the plans we had as surely some things will never happen, but some things can and will.

Natalie and I wanted to try a new church, we were not happy with our present state of worship. I had to go alone when Natalie moved on and I did for the both of us. I now have a whole new outlook on my relationship with God. It is such a great gift from such a tragedy. I find that I am drawn to people who are suffering a loss and I am able to give them hope. I made it and you will too. I truly know where my daughter is and I have made peace with death. I know she will be waiting for me, a cherished and valuable relief. I am able to look at the everyday problems with renewed perspective, and sort out what is just not that important that leads to less stress. I have been given the ability to let go and I no longer need sovenirs of life. Memories and people keep me going, we can’t take our stuff along anyway. Holding on to the past slows us down. Forgiveness is huge! Anger and grudges are heavy baggage. We will all face someone over a coffin someday, it is hard enough wityhout dragging the past with you.

By now you are probably thinking that this may sound well and good, but what about the bad days? The days where you just can’t breath. I still have them, and always will. It would not say much for love if we could really get over it now, would it. When it get too big for me, I usually ask God to carry this day for me cause I just cannot do it for awhile – then I try to get on with my day. There are those days you fight the tears, days they win and I find myself asking the same questions I did before. I feel I now have a few answers, but other answers will not come for a long period of time.

As for life it is still a good life and yes, even happy and so full of promise. There is much to look forward to and do before we see them again. Suffice to say the life of a survivor can be much like a donut – well rounded and sweet, sure there’s always a hole in the middle but we still like to eat them.

So take a big bite, nothing lasts forever.

 

 

Ghosts Were People Too

Ghosts Were People Too
By Steve McStoots

“Ghosts were people too.” This was a statement that was on the back of a shirt that I recently purchased from Waverly Hills and it got me thinking.

So many times ghost hunters go into haunted locations just to try to get evidence to “prove” there are paranormal events happening there. I have to admit that I have fallen into this category on a few occasions myself.It is very easy to go into a place without thinking about the individuals before they passed on.

This all changed for me a couple years ago when I was once again in Waverly Hills. I was trying out a new device that I put together called a ghost box or Radio Shack hack. The premise behind this device is to be able to have real time communication with an entity. I was a bit weary of the device at first since there is a split within the paranormal community over whether or not it is a valid means of communication. The split is that one group says that it is matrixing or hearing what you want to hear while there are those that feel an entity can use the device to speak. I felt like it was still worth giving to see the results.

This first attempts on the fifth and fourth floors had some success but nothing really substantial. Then we gave it a try in the cafeteria on the second floor. After a few questions, the group started getting clear audible responses.I was standing in awe of actually hearing a voice answering the questions we were asking.

Some of the information that we were told of was his name was Thomas Christopher. His favorite food to eat in the cafeteria was broccoli. Thomas also told us of his father and mother’s first names. After some time, the answers started coming quickly and Thomas seemed to be enjoying chatting with our group. We found out that he was a musician back in the day and that he was a real ladies man as well. This conversation went on for over an hour. When we had to say goodbye he told us bye as well.

Our next trip to Waverly had me excited to see if we could have another conversation with Thomas. We finished with the set up and then headed right to the cafeteria to talk with our old friend. I was completely shocked when I heard his voice come across almost as soon as I turned the ghost box on. He seemed very eager to chat with us once again. Then we started to get some different spirits trying to use the box to communicate with us. They seemed to be fighting over who could do the talking. I finally heard Thomas say some words that probably shouldn’t be repeated and he left. He still had emotions after death.

All my experiences in Waverly have been amazing but this one showed me that this was a man who enjoyed life inside of Waverly and outside as well. But it also showed me that before he became our “cafeteria ghost” that he was a living breathing individual.

I would just like to say that before you head into an investigation think of the spirits that are there before they passed on. They are just like you and me without the physical form. So please just show them the same respect you would expect from strangers walking into your “home”.

Thomas Christopher would definitely appreciate it.

With Open Arms

  With Open Arms
By Shannon Slinker

I know we cannot control our future, but knowing my father has cancer, believe it or not, has a few small benefits; we get to say our good-byes, we get to plan things out and make sure everything is in order. We get the opportunity to make sure we tell him everyday just how much we love him. But knowing someone is going to die doesn’t mean they will.

Miracles happen every day! In fact, I could be worrying about my father dying and forget about those who are still living!! We lose people in car crashes and accidents every day. We DON”T always get to tell these people just how much they mean to us. We don’t cherish every last moment we spent with them because we take for granted that we will see them again tomorrow.

One thing I have learned from Rick is that we don’t really lose them. They are still here with us every day. We may not be able to hear their voices or touch them, but, they ARE here!

I am comforted in knowing that my dad will not miss my son’s graduation 10 years from now, and he won’t miss his great-great grandchildren being born. I am comforted in knowing that whichever one of us who’s time it is to go, there will be our loved ones waiting for us with open arms.

But we don’t have to wait til then to connect with them again! Ever since I met Rick at a friend’s party and had several sessions with him, both a group session as well as a phone consultation, I have felt an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders in knowing some really important things about life and death.

As I stated in my previous article, I am a former Agnostic. I realize that faith is just that, “faith”. Part of being Agnostic is that we aren’t non-believers, we are not Atheists, and we just require proof. Now I won’t go so far as to say I saw a burning bush, or even heard the words of God from anyone. What I found out is that there is something greater than all of us and it is so powerful it cannot be denied!

I used to be saddened thinking that once we die, that’s it, we just cease to exist, but now I know better!! I’m not afraid to die, I’m not as sad about the news of my dad as I would have been if he was diagnoses a year earlier without the help of Rick’s guidance. What I am sad about is my own selfish reasons, that I wont get to hear my dads voice anymore, or smell his pipes and cigars, or hear him talk about his Civil War gun collection in that adorable Kentucky accent of his. That’s my own heart wanting to hang on. He has a much more beautiful place to go to when his time here is done.

When my time is up, I know I will welcome it with open arms knowing I will see all of my family and friends again someday.