The Calling. Kim O'Neill

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       Acknowledgments

      I have been a professional psychic for over twenty-five years. One of the questions that I’m asked most often is, “How did you become a psychic? You seem so normal!”

      I wish I could tell you that I have always approached my life’s journey with seamless grace and dignity; that I’ve maintained emotional balance and unwavering optimism; that I have navigated my path buoyed by the utmost confidence in my ability to reach and exceed pivotal goals; that I felt entitled to receive the reward of unlimited abundance; that I chose to enjoy every moment of the journey fueled by my faith in self; and, that I remained humbly grateful for all of the teachers along the way who spurred my progress.

      But that wouldn’t even be close to the truth. In fact, you’ll discover in these pages how clueless I was about where I was headed. I had no goals. I felt only anger and frustration toward my best teachers, like my father and my ex-husband, who had come into my life—completely unbeknown to me—to help with my forward movement. I had little self-worth or confidence, and had fallen into the routine of battering myself with harsh criticism in regard to my failings. I was consumed with self-doubt and was afraid to take even the smallest risk. I wondered why some people seemed to achieve great success, while I continually worried about whether I would get a paycheck after working around the clock in a business I had come to hate. Unaware that many of the people in my life werespiritual teachers for me, I fought them every step of the way, refusing to accept personal accountability for the terrible quality of my life. I blamed everybody else for what had become a self-sabotaging downward spiral that repeated itself day after day.

      Many years ago, as I began to conduct private channeling sessions, I was stunned to discover that large numbers of people felt the same confusion and hopelessness that I had. Many of us resist our important lessons, feel disdain toward our best teachers, and have no clue about where we should be going. We can also be unaware of our life’s purpose and how to achieve it, and live in a state of negativity and powerlessness. And, after all of these years, on some days, I still do! I’ve come to believe that no matter what your level of enlightenment, wisdom, or maturity, it takes remarkable courage to face your issues and take responsibility for what you were meant to accomplish while in your earthly life. There are certain days, even now, that I would much prefer to hide under my bed. We are all an ongoing spiritual work in progress.

      While navigating my path, I’ve learned how to forgive and appreciate what my best teachers were trying to help me with . . . if only I had been open enough to realize it at the time. I want to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to two of them. My dad, with whom I so badly wanted a close father-daughter relationship, has now—in spirit—become a very good friend and guide. Not until I stopped lamenting over how hurtful his behavior had been while he was on the earthly plane did our friendship blossom into what it is today. My ex-husband was also a key teacher for me. I honor his presence in my life, and thank him for his resolute determination to carry his end of the spiritual apple cart. I wish, now, that I had possessed the maturity to have realized his contributions as they were being made.

      The memoir you hold in your hands is a radical departure from my previous books. While working on this project, I had family members, like my brother, tell me, “Just don’t talk about me!” Some people wondered aloud, “But you’re not a celebrity . . . who would be interested in reading about your life?” Others told me, “You’re crazy to share such personal details . . . I never would!”

      I had to make difficult choices about which parts of my life I was going to share to prevent the book from evolving into 4,000 pages! In addition, following much deliberation, I have chosen to change the names of some of the people I talk about in these pages to protect their privacy. I’ve shared conversations that took place long ago to the best of my recollections. With the help of my angels, I have shared this narrative of my life as it has evolved to this point, in a way that I trusted would be insightful and encouraging to others who are struggling with similar issues. I hope you enjoy my story.

      I’m sharing my personal story to demonstrate that you aren’t alone, that others are struggling just like you are, and to convey, by relaying vignettes of my life, how making even the smallest—but different—choices, can yield big rewards. You can find happiness and peace in your life, no matter how flawed you feel you are . . . and I’m living proof of that! I discovered that the whole process isn’t about becoming a perfect person as reflected in other people’s estimation; but instead, by being true to yourself—releasing the need for other people’s approval or endorsement for the choices you make—and being true to the particular, unique path that you feel is your destiny.