Imaginary Friends

"Imaginary Friends" by Jamie Allen Bishop 

(Written 9/26/2014)

Did you know that according to Psychology Today (6/19/2008), more than 65% of children experience an imaginary friend at some point in their lives? That's more than 6 kids out of every 10 in your child's classroom. Assuming this percentage is true, why are grown-ups still afraid?


We have probably all heard the popular acronym of FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. But, have you ever thought about what fear really is?


Fear is dis-ease.


Take that in for a moment: Fear is dis-ease. WoWza! That'll hit home for a lot of you. Am I right?


Fear is a state of being ill-at-ease. If we buy into this idea, perhaps there is a dramatic link between the concept of fear and the diseases of the human body.


When it comes to fear, we all fall victim to its tantalizing ways. In fact, if we look around ourselves - especially this time of year when Halloween is right around the corner - we can see clearly that we are excited by fear. We might even enjoy fear. Fear can make us feel alive. True?


For a child, though, fear is a learned behavior. From what I have read, and through my own experience, it is only when a parent or other caregiver reacts in a fearful manner that a child stops experiencing his/her imaginary friend/s.


It would stand to reason that our brains are open to more experiences when we are young, learning everything we can in as short of time as possible (our survival instinct). For this reason, it would make sense that children are more apt to be open to experiencing other worldly phenomenon than adults. It also makes sense that as children grow up, they grow out of being able to interact with their imaginary friends.


From a spiritual point of view, what we have determined to call imaginary friends might actually be the energy and/or souls of our crossed-over loved ones and angel guides. The potential exists, then, that at least 65% of us already have the innate ability to experience that which is considered other worldly.


Raising a child with this ability, and having been a child who had (and currently has) this ability, I consider it a gift from God.


On the rare occasion I encounter a person who does not think of my ability as a gift, I understand. Because I believe that fear is dis-ease, my understanding of those fear-based souls is that they need lots of extra love and healing in their lives. My understanding doesn't make it easy to be scorned. To get beyond my ego, all I need do is remind myself that the fear is theirs, not mine.


(Thank God!)


Because I also believe in the concept of "what I give is what I get", I send only love and healing energy to those who would scorn or judge me.


How do you handle your child's imaginary friends or other unexplainable spiritual gifts?


My wish for you: may you receive the love and support you need to be a supportive parent with a truly gifted child. Enjoy it. Foster it. Support it. Love it. It's up to you to accept your child for ALL their talents, gifts, and graces.




Want to be a "see'er" like your child? Simply unlearn your fear. Need help letting go of your fear, there are many avenues you can explore. One of them is through working with me, Jamie Allen Bishop.

Here’s to a new vision you can believe in without fear.

Warmly,

#JamieAllenBishop

#Speaker #Educator #Mentor

@SoulHeartEntertainment

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Introduction Question: What do you do?

Introduction Question: What Do You Do?
By: Jamie Allen Bishop

Do you love (or hate) being asked what you do for a living?

My husband, a pilot, avoids that conversation like the plague. The funny thing is he loves his career with a passion like nobody I've ever met, but he doesn't like talking about it. Truth be known, he doesn't like talking about it with people who don't know what they're talking about.

We must make a good team because I love talking about what I do. I revel in the idea of engaging my audience. To me, it's exciting to answer that sometimes boring question because I never know where my answer will take the conversation - to the inquiring mind, to the deer in the headlights, or to the search for the nearest exit. I excitedly answer (probably with a knowing smirk) using my intriguing, attention-grabbing elevator speech, "I teach women to love their lives through toe reading."

The inevitable response is, "Toe, what?"

The hardest part about being well known as a toe reader is when someone introduces me, especially someone who has not experienced a toe reading (yet). Naturally, s/he makes assumptions, often introducing me by saying something like, "Jamie's a toe reader, you know, like a palm reader" - which (not that there's anything wrong with palm reading) is not remotely similar to what toe reading is all about.

It's funny how people assume without asking or clarifying. Has this ever happened to you? How do you handle it?

I try my best not to correct the person who introduced me because I know they are interested in what I do by the way they introduced me. They wouldn't have said anything about me being a toe reader if they weren't curious. I take it as an invitation to sell my service.

The definition of a toe reader, as described in the first of my 200 hours of Master Toe Reader certification coursework, is as follows: toe reading is the idea that thoughts, feelings, and emotions show up in the shape, direction, and color of toes.

While this definition is the essence of how toe reading can be used as a tool to help our clients, I have learned that toes are a profound way to look at the soul stories we carry. To me, toes show the connection between our conscious thoughts and our subconscious belief systems. The toes paint a very clear picture of how a client's life experiences have led them to where they are today, and the toes illuminate the concept of being "on track" (or not) with one's desires and goals. When we can check in with our toes to make certain our thoughts are in alignment with our goals, we can reach our desired outcome faster and with less challenge.

The attached image is my version of the Toe Reading Map, adapted from SWIHA/KC Miller's classroom version. I hope it comes in handy for anyone ready to walk down the path to self-awareness.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or if you would like to receive a toe reading.

My business, Soul Heart Entertainment: Event Talent Coordination (SHE: ETC), empowers people to live their highest purpose path through holistic entertainment speaking engagements, parties, and events. You can like us on Facebook: Soul Heart Entertainment to see inspirational quotes, fun surveys, and upcoming events.

Warmly,
Jamie Allen Bishop, MA, CR, MTR
Website: Soul Heart Entertainment
Email: Jamie@SoulHeartEntertainment.com
Twitter: @JamieABishop


(First published in 2012. Revised and republished 2019.)