Gotta Love My Job

Yikes, I've had a crazy week of readings.  Non-believers, total skeptics and then the best yet: a client who called me a sinner.  This is what she said, "Before we begin Samantha, I think you should know that I think what you do for a living is not of God, and I've already scheduled a confession with a priest from another parish.  I sure don't want my priest to know I've consorted with people like you."  Holy cow!  Do you know what's crazier than that?  This: I actually read for her.  Even after she told me she'd gotten a reading with Sylvia Browne and John Edward and was sure they were both hacks.  Even after she said to me, "You know Samantha, you need to listen to me.  If you ever tell a falsehood, that will lie on your eternal soul."

What is wrong with me?  If I had told her how she spent her last ten birthdays, or what she was doing and where she was sitting at the exact moment of our reading, if I could have pulled out the nicknames for all the pets and stuffed animals she'd ever known and loved, none of it would have been enough to convince her that what I do is real, that God really does exist and her loved ones really are safe and happy and heaven.

So, one of my New Year's resolutions for 2011 is to grow strong enough in my own abilities and what I do so that the next time I come across a client like that, I can say what I should have said, "I don't think you're ready for a reading, and I'm not going to read for you."

Here's hoping we all learn to have faith in ourselves this holiday season, so that we can be the best we can be.

Three Important Words

Based on the title of this post, you're probably thinking the three most important words are, "I love you."  Maybe.  But, to me, there are three different words that are much more important and, sometimes, much harder to say.  "I am sorry."

I write and speak so often about forgiveness -- how important it is to forgive others, to extend a generous heart, to be open to releasing past pains.  But it is even more important to be willing to ask for forgiveness.

I'm lucky to meet some amazing people through my work.  One of my clients is a lovely and beautiful woman who is 91 years young.  Married to a successful and wealthy man, she's lived an exciting life.  Yet now that he's gone, she comes to see me every six months with the same question, "When am I going to die?" She misses her husband, she's led a great life, she's ready to go.  I always try to tell her two things: 1) that's not for any intuitive reader to tell you, and if one does, she's lying.  Only God knows that.  We're not meant to know that information. 2) I always see her happily celebrating this Christmas season.  She leaves disappointed every time saying, "I thought last Christmas would be my LAST Christmas."

This last time that she came to see me, I really bugged my guides and her guides until I got an answer.  "Why, please tell me why she is here when she's so ready to go home?" The answer I received came through very clearly.  "She has unfinished business with her son.  She needs to ask for his forgiveness."

Oh dear.  This is when my job gets tricky. When I relayed the message, she was confused.  "But I gave him everything.  He had the best clothes, the best education, the best vacations, everything.  I gave him everything."

I told her that he's felt it very difficult all these years to fulfill the expectations of his family, that he felt as though he could never fill his father's mighty shoes, that he was never good enough for her or his father.

"Well, that's ridiculous," she said crossing her arms.

"I'm supposed to ask you about 37.  What happened to him when he was 37?"

She looked away for a moment.

"What happened when he was 37 is connected to what we're talking about now.  Do you remember anything about that time in his life?"

She turned back to me and said quickly, "That's when he attempted suicide, but I don't see what that has to do with me."

I just stared back at her.  I didn't know what else to say.

"Well, if it will help me move on out of here, I guess I'll give it a try."

I haven't hear from her, so I'm not sure if she gave it a try or if she's enjoying this Christmas season.  But I know those were difficult messages for her to hear.  As a mom, I know how hard parents try to give their children every opportunity.  We're never going to get it right.  I always joke that you should start two savings accounts for your kids -- a college one and a therapy one -- because you will make mistakes.  And most of them will be completely unintentional.  But those three words magically make all those mistakes somehow a little bit okay.  "I am sorry."

Another woman came to see me recently.  She wanted to know why her granddaughter was so mean to her.  When I asked her guides for the answer, I hesitated.  "I'm hearing that it's because of your daughter.  She hasn't spoken negatively about you to her daughter, but your granddaughter senses the distance anyway and acts accordingly.  What happened in your daughter's life when she was 12?"

The woman sighed.  "That's when I left her father.  I don't think she's ever forgiven me for that."

I sensed that this client needed to leave this man, but her daughter, at the age of 12, probably didn't understand all of that then and still held residual resentment all these years later.  "Maybe you could write your daughter a card and tell her that you're sorry for all that happened then, that you love her and you're proud of her."

She shook her head.  "I couldn't do that."

"Please understand, I'm not saying that you should apologize for leaving your husband.  I feel that is was imperative that you did what you did, but your daughter may not have seen it that way."

"Well, a lot was placed upon her then.  I relied on her to take over a lot of responsibilities."

"Maybe you could just apologize for that?"

"No, definitely not."

I don't know why forgiveness -- either offering it or receiving it -- is so hard for most people.  But I do know that it's one of the most important acts we can do for our soul growth.  When we block forgiveness, we block growth.  We say no to joy, release, and peace.  And we say yes to coming back to this Earth again and again to deal with these same people and these same issues until we can face the issue of forgiveness.

This holiday season, if there's someone you think is angry with you, offer the best gift of all -- an apology.  You'll feel lighter, stronger and more peaceful.

Holiday Frazzle Dazzle

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted, and I apologize dear bloggers.  The holiday frazzle dazzle has me surely in its grip.  I completed all my Christmas shopping the first week in November, so you think I'd be good to go, right?  No, of course not. There are Christmas parties, elf-on-the-shelf duties, cookie swaps, school programs, Christmas cards to get in the mail and all that decorating.  Why can't they make Christmas lights that actually work year to year?

I have, however, made a promise to myself and I hope you'll join me because it's made all the difference.  Every night, if I have nothing else going on, I stop everything at 9 pm.  No emails, no phone calls, no wrapping, no addressing envelopes, no elf tricks, nothing.  I just sit, make a cup of tea and either read a book or watch a good Christmas movie.  It's the only way I can de-stress and get ready for the next day of holiday "must dos."

To all you moms and dads out there, I read in Family Fun magazine a great idea to incorporate the true meaning of the holiday season.  I bought three glass jars, wrote one of my child's name on each and then cut out 24 pieces of paper.  On each, I wrote a good deed and tossed the 24 pieces of paper in the jar.  Now each morning after we open our advent calendar, the girls happily reach for the good deed jar.  Every day that they complete their good deed, they put the paper in a fancy box I bought.  Then on Christmas eve, we'll put it under the tree as our gift for Jesus.  Here are some examples of good deeds:

Choose a toy or book to donate to charity
Set and clear the table
Tell your sisters why you love them
Call an aunt or uncle and tell them you love them
Write a card for nana and pop pop
Hold the door for someone
Tell your teacher she's a great teacher
Do something nice for someone in the family
Pick up a piece of litter

I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season and all the blessings it can bring.  While this time does often remind us of painful memories -- loved ones lost and family members we haven't spoken to -- it does offer us an opportunity to enjoy the subtler gifts of life -- peace, love and charity.  Spend some time this week relaxing.  Don't let the holiday blues get you and steer clear of the holiday stress bug.  Take a drive after dinner, play Christmas music and admire the holiday lights around your neighborhood.  Bake cookies.  Watch a fun Christmas movie -- Hallmark and ABC Family are playing them nightly.  Choose an angel off the angel tree in your local mall or church and practice anonymous gift giving.

For those of you celebrating Hanukkah, as you embrace the light and love of these remaining days of this important time, I hope the light of the season stays with you all year and that we can all be mindful of the miracle that light can bring us with faith, hope and prayer.

A Brother To Watch Over You

During a reading early this morning, a brother came through for his sister.  I immediately warmed to his energy -- he was a warm hearted soul.  He showed me a fire that the extended family had experienced but had been stopped and an upcoming plumbing problem.  The brother made it clear to me that his job was taking care of his family. He had prevented that fire from spreading and getting worse, and he was helping by giving a warning about a water issue in a work room coming up for the family.

When I do readings, the people who come through often tell me about what they're doing on the other side.  If they're newly crossed (within the last couple of years), usually they're still on vacation.  They spend that time reconnecting with friends and family, traveling and acclimating to their new and wonderful setting. But after some time has passed, they will often be given a job.  Teachers will work with young souls, artists will inspire artists on earth, doctors will help new souls prepare to return, nurses will assist souls transitioning back to heaven.  In my experience, someone usually gets the job of watching over his or her family.  Not every family member you know who has passed on has the job of watching over the family.  Usually, just one or two members are chosen.  In my experience these souls usually have a lot of compassion, loyalty and objectivity -- an ability to see situations from all sides so they can most accurately help every family member.

What job will you want when it's your turn?  Interesting thought to ponder, isn't it?

For me, I'd like to help people struggling with doubt and faith because I believe faith -- true faith which involves surrender and trust -- is the key to everything: happiness, success, love, health, and true peace.

I'll be away from the computer for the next few days, so I'd like to wish all you readers a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for all you readers.  Thank you for being such a wonderful part of my journey.

Psychic Teachers Telecourse!

                                             

Discover the Psychic in You!

Thursday, December 2

8:30 – 10:00 pm est.

Join Deb and Samantha for this exciting tele-class where you’ll learn how to identify and tap into your psychic strengths.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you have psychic abilities.

·      Do you dream in color?

·      Do your dreams sometimes come true?

·      Do you feel uncomfortable in crowds?

·      Do you get gut feelings about people that later prove to be true?

·      Has a friend called you shortly after you were thinking about them?

·      Have you called a friend only to have them say, “I was just thinking about you!”

·      Have you ever seen a ghost?

·      As a child were you afraid to sleep at night because you sensed energies in the room?

·      Do coincidences seem to follow you wherever you go?

Learn how to hone, strengthen and test your own abilities.  Deb and Samantha will teach you how to meditate, how to increase your intuitive skills and how to trust your abilities.  You’ll have the opportunity to ask them questions and listen to others’ points of views.

To register for the class, go to Samantha’s website at www.thecrystalchick.com Click on PAYMENTS.  Under WORKSHOPS, scroll down to b)$25 and you’ll be guided to PAYPAL.  Once you’ve done this, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to phone in for the class.  Prior to the class, all handouts will be emailed to you.  Email Samantha or Deb at psychicteachers@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Crystal Clear

One of my favorite parts of doing readings is at the end when the client gets to reach into my bowl of crystals, close their eyes and "choose" the one that's right for them.  Usually, my readings tend to evolve into a theme, a central message, and the crystals they choose always reflect this theme.  Just this week, I had a man come in to see me.  He's going through a divorce, and I felt that he'd need to take on a primary parenting role in the upcoming months and will need to be both a father and a mother on many occasions.  The crystal he chose was purple agate -- mother love.

A woman recently met someone and hoped the relationship would last; I felt it would.  The crystal she picked was rose quartz -- love coming to you.

A man came to see me who I felt would finally get the successes he'd been working so hard for.  This was someone who earned through blood, sweat and tears everything he had.  The message was that he'd finally get the pay off, but it would come through even more hard work.  He chose the only stone I've ever had in that bowl that's self-healed.  This is a really interesting phenomena where a stone is cracked and then somehow it heals itself.  You can still see the crack, but instead of a jagged edge, it's smooth.  The self-healed stone represents someone who makes his own way, forges his own path and is solely responsible for his own success and happiness.  How fitting that he should pick the self healed stone!

Often, a stone is in that bowl that I don't remember putting in there.  Recently, a woman came to see me who was going through a terrible period of loneliness.  I felt that it would turn around soon, but I could see she doubted me.  Life had just been too hard for her, and she'd given up on many of her hopes and dreams.  She chose a sunstone -- symbolizing positivity, sunny times and happiness coming your way.  And I have no memory of getting that stone!

To me, crystals are gifts to us -- they provide a mirror for us to see things more clearly and they offer us a chance to heal naturally and completely.

Earning Your Wings

I had a humorous moment with a father who passed away and was trying to communicate with his son.  He wasn't a big believer in people like me and what I do for a living, so it was difficult at first for him to get information through to me.  But soon I was picking up his energy, and I really liked his personality -- funny, intelligent and yet humble.  He said he was shocked at the beauty of the other side.  He always believed in a heaven, but never really spent a lot of time thinking about it.  Then he showed me wing pins.  Remember when you were a kid and flew for the first time, the stewardess would give you a pin with wings and say, "Now you've earned your wings?"  That's what he showed me.  At first, I thought it was a special memory he shared with his son, but that wasn't it.  Then I thought maybe he was trying to show me that birds, the eagle in particular, is a special sign he shows his son.  But no, that wasn't it.  He just kept showing me that pin, and then I got it!  It wasn't a symbol but a literal picture he was showing me.  He was telling his son that he'd made it to heaven, had "earned his wings!"