Today, I am delighted to be the first stop on the blog tour for Dr. Goode’s newest book, Kids Who See Ghosts, guide them through their fears, available June 8, 2010.

Listen to us talking about the launch and the book in this short conversation:

Shelagh Jones interviews Dr Caron Goode

“Kids Who See Ghosts takes an up-close and personal look at ghosts, kids who see them, and the parents who want to help. The purpose of this book is to bridge the gap between the mainstream minds and the psychic minds, providing answers and guidance….” – From the Preface

When children see ghosts, what’s a parent to do? Moms and dads ask themselves, “Does my child possess unique gifts, or is my kid possessed? Will this be a one-time, ‘weird’ event, or is my child destined to be haunted for life? Does my child need psychological help or some kind of meds? Should I believe what my child reports even if I don’t believe in ghosts?”

When kids report ghost sightings, parent’s reactions may range from feeling paralyzed with fear to being curious and supportive. If their children are scared by encounters with the spirit world, parents naturally fret about how to best help their kids through this fear. And this can be a challenge because in some cases fear can be so intense that it causes the child – and sometimes the parent, too – to become physically sick. On the other hand, what if children feel open and comfortably connected to the world of ghosts, parents may feel less worried – or even more alarmed. Either way, parents are sure to be perplexed about how to proceed.

Seeing ghosts can be an opportunity for both children and parents to move through fear, explore different realities, and learn about the world of spirits. However, in this month’s column, we open the door to a topic that has been swept under a proverbial rug and not discussed openly.

The Hushed Topic

In some households, kids are told, “Hush. Don’t talk about that. Don’t tell any one. You’re crazy. You’re lying.” In other families, parents are fascinated with the subject. Yet very few professionals who work with children want to talk about ghosts and people who see them.

However, concerned and caring parents do want to talk about it because their kids see spirits, ghosts, fairies, and light orbs. Thirteen-year-olds who see shadows at night and at school during the day need someone to talk with and listen to them.  Teens who have seen ghosts all of their lives have to sort through their realities and determine whether or not to speak openly. Parents of younger children, who won’t sleep in their rooms because a resident ghost visits them, ask me how they can help their children.

How they help depends on the parent’s viewpoints. Are the parents as scared of the spirits as their children are? Or are they thrilled with their child’s ability and want to know how to encourage the talent?  Or do they feel at a loss with a crying toddler?

Why Aren’t We Talking About It?

Not talking about the topic only adds an element of mystery and increases fear about the subject. One reason for not talking about ghosts is the lack of understanding of how people see. What a person sees takes place within the brain’s chemistry by virtue of how our eyes work. Our eyes see light only, and our brains then interpret the images based upon our memory banks. This is an ongoing process in which memories are updated as our brains adapt to our environments, learn new skills and have new life experiences. So are all ghosts figments of one’s own brain chemistry? Or are they real? It depends upon our cultures and how we adapt our worldviews.

A second reason we don’t talk about ghosts is based upon cultural norms. One Native American child who speaks with his grandmother in her spirit body is very different from a child raised to believe that dead bodies go into the ground and that the person-to-person connection is over. Did your culture and upbringing provide a place for spirits and afterlife, or was death “spooky” and not talked about?

A third reason to remain silent is simply the fear of being accused of being crazy. Those who have experiences outside of the norm may find little support in mainstream teachings to validate their reality.

Yet, Watch The Trend Grow!

Ghosts and other such unknowns live within a metaphorical Pandora’s box. This column opens that box to clear the air and breathe some new life into the topic. More kids are seeing ghosts, and I expect the trend to grow. Why?

Ghosts are a hot topic, as evidenced by the average ten million viewers of the television show “Ghost Whisperer.” Current media interest on this topic of ghosts will continue and expand because the public is fascinated by what we once called the “paranormal.” I am thinking the term “normal” is now more appropriate because more television shows on paranormal topics are airing and books on topics like vampires and fairies of this fantasy genre grow in popularity.

Also, according to a 2007 pre-Halloween poll conducted by the Associated Press, 34% of people polled said they believed in ghosts, and those who believed included people of all religions and socioeconomic levels. That percentage is going up. The Harris Poll conducted a survey during the week of November 2, 2009 to find that 42% percent of Americans believe in ghosts.

Ghosts can be children’s best friends, and facing a fear of ghosts is a way for parents and kids to become empowered. Life is to be enjoyed and for finding passionate purpose. If ghosts are part of that experience, then together let’s explore why and how.

I hope you will feel inspired by the book summary. If you do, be sure to sign up for the book launch reminder so you can buy Kids Who See Ghosts and receive free personal development gifts on June 8, 2010. To register, go to: http://www.kidswhoseeghosts.com (if you are reading this article after that date, you may buy the book directly from that page).

Also, follow the Kids Who See Ghosts blog tour. Go to Day 2 at http://www.margodill.com/blog/ and read about more great books for parents and kids.

Technorati Tags: Dr Caron Goode, Kids Who See Ghosts

Her particular delight is examing their poo in great detail!

She changes their diet to vegetables, low GI carbohydrates and minimal fat, gets them started taking exercise, and -bingo! – 8 weeks later they are fitter, more energetic and lighter.

Which set me wondering.

If we “are what we eat”, then are we what we read??

And if you think we are, what do you read??

Technorati Tags: Spiritus; spiritual marketing;market from spirit; spiritual marketing directory;

Most seem to talk about pre-judging from what a person looks like.

And that is a good lesson to learn again – and was my first thought on seeing the actual programme.

But then I was invited to look a bit deeper, and what I found is, I think, an even greater lesson.

I think that what we should really be looking at here is the manipulative behaviour of the BGT producers – and how we can so easily miss that.

Simon Cowell’s comment during the judging was very telling – he said he knew immediately something very special (correction: Extraordinary) was coming.

Why did he say that??

Not because he could “divine” her gorgeous voice before he heard her sing.

But, I suspect, because she was allowed by the producers to go on stage looking so dreadful.

They COULD have improved her appearance considerably – just see what she looks like next time round!!

But they knew perfectly well what first impression she would make with that hair, that dress, those eyebrows.

And they were not going to ruin a potentially great TV moment by allowing her to present herself better.

They allowed her to go out to face the reaction they knew she would get – cynicism, ridicule, disbelief.

They wanted to build up as much of that as they could so as to get the greatest reaction possible when she opened her mouth.

Simon knows how the producers work – he could even demand that they produce one such “surprise” per show, as there seems to be one!

So seeing someone so poorly presented, he probably DID have an inkling she had something amazing hidden inside.

He knew that the only reason someone was allowed on stage looking like that was to create contrast.

The producers set us, the viewers, up masterfully.

I had my guard down and fell right into the obvious trap they set. As did most people.

But I hope I’m not the only one who, on reflection, sees the bigger trap, sees the blatant exploitation of Susan, and has learnt the even more important lesson about being discerning at all times -even when relaxing on a Saturday night.

Technorati Tags: BGT, Business, Market from Spirit, simon cowell, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritual Marketing Directory, Spiritus, susan boyle

You can learn the basic concept of Spiritual Marketing by looking at four alternative strategies for buying and selling vegetables.

It starts with you

Law of Attraction says that our thoughts, minute by minute, create feelings which cause us to give off vibrations. These vibrations attract to us events, people and things which match those vibrations – like vibrations attract each other.

In the business world, some businesses accurately reflect the thoughts and feelings of the people who own and run them. Others put on a public face which is what the business thinks their customers want to see, but is not necessarily what is true for the owners and staff.

And customers “get” the difference. Maybe not consciously, but deep down we know when what a business says is important to it, and when the principles which guide it really do reflect the thoughts and feelings of those running it.

Furthermore, we instinctively feel more comfortable working with people businesses whose thoughts and feelings are a match for our own – businesses whose values match our own.

For example, consider a business that sells vegetables.
So let’s look at 4 strategies to select and sell vegetables, and the predominate value behind that strategy.

A – Buy and sell at the lowest possible prices (Price)
B – Provide the widest possible choice of vegetables every day of the year (Choice)
C – Choose suppliers who use no artificial chemicals in the production of the vegetables (Organic)
D – Offer packs of prepared vegetables in non-specialist shops close to where people work or live (Convenience)

The way the business operates will vary tremendously depending on which of these four values is most important.

The greater the degree to which the way of operating reflects the personal values of the people running the business, the closer the relationship between the business and its customers.

So the first step is to get really clear about what matters to you, what values are important to you, and what you want to see reflected in your business.

Envision your perfect customer

The first step is to think about the sort of person who would not be the perfect customer for you.

These are people who would not be perfect customers for these four vegetable businesses:

A – people who are prepared to pay for what they want, and will not accept what they don’t want just because it is a lower price
B – people who like the rhythm of the seasons, and eating different vegetables each month; people who are concerned about the sustainability of food supplies and the carbon footprint of vegetable delivery.
C – people who are unconcerned about eating artificial fertiliser residues in their food; people who are not prepared to pay more than the minimum for their vegetables.
D – people who shop once a week for all their vegetables; people who dislike overpackaging of food; people with plenty of time to shop and prepare vegetables.

From this, it is easier to see who would be perfect customers for each of these businesses

A – people who value low prices above quality, sustainability, convenience.
B – people who want to be able to buy the vegetables they want any day of the year, and are not concerned about the cost of that, or the impact on the environment.
C – people who are concerned about the way their vegetables are produced, about chemical residues in them, and the impact of their production on the environment, and are prepared to pay to have what they want.
D – people who want to buy ready-prepared vegetables in a shop close to them at a time convenient to them and with maximum availability.

Now, which of these businesses are most likely to reflect the values, the passions, the thoughts and feelings of their owners and staff?

And which are most likely to have been created to fill a perceived niche, to fit into a business strategy to exploit a lifestyle situation?

Reflect your values in how you run your business

These four vegetable businesses will have very different ways of operating, and will make very different choices about

where they source their vegetables,
how they are grown,
the range they offer,
the packaging they use,
the prices they charge,
the variety on offer from week to week,
the prices they pay their suppliers.

So consider every aspect of your business, and make sure it really is congruent with your values.

Any aspect which is “off” or incongruent will confuse your customers, and make him less attracted to you.

Acknowledge and appreciate your customers

The best way to do this is to give great service, both during and after the selling process. Go that little bit further, and do something which enforces the message of the values which underpin your business.

Some tactics for these vegetable businesses:

A – offer one “staple” vegetable each week at a very low-profit price
B – create data sheets showing where the business sources each vegetable as the year progresses, and the efforts which go into ensuring year-round continuity of supply.
C – share details of the growers of the vegetables, who they are, where and how they grow their vegetables
D – invent recipes which use the prepared vegetables and other items available in the store to quickly produce a complete meal.

Every business can find ways to reinforce their message in unexpected extras which show their appreciation of their customers.

Take Action
The final stage of the Law of Attraction is to allow it to do its work.

In terms of marketing your business, this is about taking action to allow customers to be attracted to you.

So it is about advertising, public relations, networking.

The purpose behind the activity is to convey your message in a clear manner to the people who are most likely to share your values and become your customers.

Exactly what you do will depend on your business.

For some businesses, mass advertising is the way. For others, that hold values which are held by a small percentage of the public, a more targeted approach is needed.

The important thing is to get your message out where your prospective customers likely to see it.

Conclusion

Apply these five steps to your business and it will reflect your values more accurately, attracting to you customers who share those values and making your life so much more agreeable!

Technorati Tags: Business, Business Directory, Law of Attraction, Market from Spirit, marketing, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritual Marketing Directory, Spiritus

“Room to Read” believes that “World change starts with educated children” and to further this aim has, to date, opened more than 7000 libraries throughout the developing world.

“Room to Read” was chosen to receive the Helping Hand Fund award by Kay Ross of Kay Ross Marketing.. Kay was born in Glasgow, Scotland; brought up in Adelaide, Australia and now lives and works in Hong Kong where she has a marketing consultancy, runs a healing practice – and is a stand-up comedian!

Kay only joined Spiritus in the second week of March, but she referred more new members than anyone else, so won the right the choose who received the Helping Hand Fund in April.

Thank you for bringing “Room to Read” to our attention, Kay!

I’m really pleased to be able to help them in what they do.

Technorati Tags: helping Hand fund, kay ross, room to read, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritual Marketing Directory, Spiritus

He says:

It’s all about Evolvement,

Lets make 2009 the very best year yet for all things Holistic, Spiritual, and Healing, let’s lift each other to even higher levels of being. Are you truly up for that ?

We are all aspects of the one and there is no greater way than living out that truth in this physical reality.     Can you feel the energy of this already, as we start to speak of it ?

Mark – I love that thought – "lift each other to even higher levels of being".  How much more supportive than "credit crunch", "financial meltdown" "armed conflict".

We know where our focus is best placed, don’t we?!

Technorati Tags: Law of Attraction, Mark Foster, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritual Marketing Directory, Spiritus

Technorati Tags: Market from Spirit, marketing, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritual Marketing Directory, Spiritus, Thanksgiving

The person or business who refers the most new members to Spiritus in any month wins the right to choose to whom the Helping Hand Fund is awarded (full conditions here ).

Do you have a favorite charity or non-profit organization that you want to support?

Then have a referral blitz for Spiritus and win them some money!

Some ideas on how to promote Spiritus:

In your back office there is a referral link which goes to either the Home page of Spiritus or your won Attraction in Action page. This can be added to an email newsletter, to your signature file, or to any communication.

There is also a banner you can add to your website or blog, together with full instructions on how to use it.

Do you sell a product online? Consider adding your referral link to your Thank You page .

Do you host teleseminars or meetings? Contact us for a virtual or "real life" presence to talk about Spiritus.

Spiritus is growing by referrals from exisiting memebrs – the Helping Hand Fund is our way of thanking those who are helping that growth!

(and remember that if you refer one or more new members to Spiritus in any month, then your own membership is free for that month.)

Technorati Tags: helping Hand fund, Market from Spirit, marketing, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritus

March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality – you can find out more here

The Helping Hand Fund has been designed to recognise the efforts of members who help to spread the word about Spiritus.

It is awarded to the member who refers the most new members in a month, who chooses the organisation which will receive 10% of the revenue (after sales tax) of Spiritus in that month.

Thank you Stephanie for being a great ambassador for Spiritus!

Technorati Tags: Body Knowledge System, helping Hand fund, March of dimes, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritus, Stephanie Wood

In the early 90s I sold off a chilled food factory to new owners who quickly got rid of most of the people working there.

One of them told me later it was the nudge she needed to follow her passion, and open her own Reiki business.

The sort of contract with business that my father entered into in 1936, when, at 16, he joined the company from which he retired 45 years later, no longer exists.

In many areas short-term contracts are the norm these days. The provision of labour to industry through agencies is accelerating.

In The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles said that the most valuable thing we can do is open the eyes of the masses to the potential that lies within them.

Are the huge sales of The Secret into the mass market a sign that eyes are starting to be opened?

Or is there still an overwhelming attachment to the perceived security of a job?

Will we devise new ways of working that allow us to make more choices about what we do, when, and for what in return?

Are the events of this past week the start of great social change for the greater good of us all, or are they a blip on the path to most people ceding even more control over thei makreintr lives to their employer and the state?

Technorati Tags: science of getting rich, Spiritual Marketing, Spiritus, the secret, unemployment