As I think I’ve mentioned earlier, even though I have tons of questions yet to ask for the book, I try to pose one Ask Erik question during each hour-long session. Chrissie’s dilemma is one that many of us share as we struggle through our human experience on the earthly plane. The lesson has everything to do with perspective.

Chrissie’s Question

A friend of mine mentioned of your blog and reading each and every one of your entries makes my heart so happy. What you’ve been doing is inspiring and writing is a very good therapy. I was once told that in the order to stay sane, you write. It’s very true.

I have a few questions that I’d like to ask you. Please bear with me, my mind has been somewhat scattered these days.  Before I ask you questions, I feel that it’d be probably a good idea if I share a little bit about myself, so this way you could get the idea of who I am, so this way you can have a better understanding of what I’m trying to ask but it’s difficult because I don’t want to give away too much information, so I apologize for being somewhat a little bit vague.

So…to tell you the truth, I’m lost and confused here. I’ve always been that way but my sense of direction in what I want to do in my life has affected me more since my grandfather passed away in February 2008.  My grandfather was my favorite person in the world. He was the one who has always make me feel like anything was possible. He came into my dreams a couple times after his passing but I haven’t seen or heard from him in nearly over a year. I would like to know if he’s doing okay? His name is Paul. He passed away in New Jersey. I’d like to know how he and Nana are doing, if he’s with anyone up there and why my mom is so complicated and stand on “tough love” philosophy when she know how sensitive I can be?

Also, I’m looking for guidance in what I should do with my life? I graduated from the University a year ago and I’m working at a local community college out here. I’ve always feel like I could have done something better. Ever since i was a little girl, I’ve always knew that I’m destined to change the world. But in what? I have absolutely no idea what is it I’m going to do. I’m 26 years old and I feel utterly lost and confused.

Also, as for my love life? It’s practically non-existent. There was this guy and I was in love with him for three years and we dated for eleven months. He was my everything and I was absolutely sure that he was the one. I was so sure of it that he was the man I was going to marry but now we aren’t on speaking terms and my feeling toward him has had been nothing else but hated and detestation.  But the truth is– I miss him everyday.

I know that things will get better. It has to but it’s hard because everybody at my age are either married and having kids. I’m at the point in my life where I feel like something’s wrong with me. I’ve gone out on dates but I feel like my love life is going nowhere.

I’m hoping that Erik could help out and point me into the right direction? It would be greatly appreciated.

And oh, I forgot. I live in Phoenix, AZ.

Chrissie

Channeling Transcript

Me: Okay, let’s go to an Ask Erik question now. This is from Chrissie. She lives in Phoenix and is 26 years old. Ever since her grandfather, Paul, passed away, her sense of direction in life has become even more lost than before. He died a couple of years ago in New Jersey, and she was extremely close to him. She wants to know if he and Nana are okay.

Jamie: Yeah, he is here; the wife, Nana, is not.

Me: Okay.

Jamie: He says he’s doing just fine and so is Nana. Erik is still trying to translate the conversation before he shares more with us. So, I guess the grandfather is not speaking too well.

Me: Okay.

(Pause)

Erik: He says that one of the great things about him leaving is that he gets to encourage his granddaughter from the spirit realm instead of being a crutch in person.

Me: Ah, I see!

Erik: Mom, she would use him as a crutch sometimes, because he was so strong and wise. He says he’ll make more appearances for her, but she’s really needing to learn direction on her own. She needs to rely on herself a lot more and trust her own intuition.

Me: Yeah, it’s not easy finding inner strength when you’re young, especially when you have a wellspring of wisdom to tap into in your own family.

Erik: The reason Chrissie feels more lost is that part of her died and left with Paul.

Me: What do you mean? In what way, exactly?

Erik: Like taking a piece of cake.

Me (Laughing): It’s always about food with this boy!

Erik: No, seriously. She feels like a piece was cut out of her, but she willingly gave it up, because she loved him so much. He says it’s not necessary to give up part of herself though.

Me: Were they soul mates?

Erik: Yes, absolutely, Mom.

Me: Okay. Now, uh, let me see what other questions she has…

(Pause)

Me: Oh, yeah. She wants to know why her mother is so difficult sometimes. She uses tough love even though she knows how sensitive Chrissie can be.

Erik: I’m seeing Chrissie as a humanitarian, and her purpose in life is to help serve others. So as long as she finds a career where she can help and serve other people, she’ll be satisfied, no matter what realm it is.

Me: Okay.

Erik: But the mom, she’s like the opposite. She is not that way. She doesn’t see things through the eyes of the person she’s being tough with. Of course, she loves her daughter very much, but she doesn’t have the gift of empathy that Chrissie has. That’s why she’s not aware of how her words and actions can hurt someone who is sensitive.

Me: Oh, okay. Now, she also wants to know what she should do with her career. Since she was a little girl, she felt she was destined to do great things, but… Erik, can you or Paul give her some guidance?

Erik: You know what her problem is, Mom? She thinks the world is really, really big! We need to sit and think that the world is actually very small. So when we change one person, that causes a big ripple effect.

Me: Ah, yeah!

Erik: But Chrissie is not satisfied with changing one person or even a handful. She thinks that’s nothing. She doesn’t believe it accomplishes much of anything. It’s all in her perspective. If she can change that perspective, she would have a much better time at the job she has now.

Me: Okay. So should she continue working where she is?

Erik: Yeah. Tell her not to walk away from it. But in several years, she’ll step out of that position and move on to something better.

Me: Can you give her some specifics?

Erik: No, because one of her lessons is to figure things out on her own, to develop and follow her inner guidance instead of relying on others. She has to do things for herself instead of using a crutch.

Me: Okay. That makes a lot of sense. Now, she also wants to know about her love life. She says it’s all but non-existent. There was one guy she dated for a long time. In fact, she was certain they’d get married, but now they don’t even speak to each other. She’s been on dates since, but she really feels like her love life is going nowhere.

Erik: Oh, and it’s gonna continue to go nowhere until she finds happiness in her career. This is within herself. It’s all about a shift in her perspective like I was saying. Anyway, that’s her lineup. Take care of her inner stuff first, and then…

Jamie (laughing): He says that men can sniff out happy women. If she’s not happy, they don’t wanna put her on their plate. They’ll just look right over her.

I can personally attest to the importance of perspective for career satisfaction. For instance, many of my physician colleagues are very disgruntled and dissatisfied with the practice of Medicine. I always wondered why, because I adored it. Then, years ago, I had an epiphany. I realized that, for me, being a physician was a calling, not a career. I see my patients as part of an extended family rather than a consumer base. When I enter an exam room to see a patient, I am committed to make their lives better before I leave, even if it’s just a tiny little change. And I consciously do this regardless of the patient’s chief complaint. For instance, one day, I was performing a routine truck driver physical on a Fedex employee. To put him at ease, I started asking him about his hobbies, his families, his job, etc.I do this with all of my patients, but it’s important to do so with genuine interest, which sometimes takes a conscious effort as well as a shift in perspective. You have to see them through eyes of compassion, to feel genuine love for them as a fellow soul on an often arduous journey, even if they’re a complete stranger.

Within minutes, he was in tears as he shared the fact that his ex-wife ran away with their young son 13 years ago, and all efforts to find him had failed. I hugged him and told him I’d do anything I could to help. A few hours on the computer and, BINGO, I had the son’s address and phone number. So yes, Chrissie, in even the most mundane aspects of a job or life in general, there are opportunities to make huge changes for the better. I’m not sure what ripple effect this father-son reunion may have had, but I’m sure it was considerable. God bless the Internet!

And now for a favor: I’m trying to increase the daily site visits, so if you can, please try to refer at least five friends, especially those who you think would most benefit. Think of it as a Channeling Erik membership drive. Let’s adopt more kids for our family! (grin)