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Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: Sugar Plum Visions....or Nightmares Bah Humbug to Resolutions! News From the Website Recession-Filled Christmas SPECIAL My Christmas Card Tarot Salon News Won't You Be My Neighbor?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS or NIGHTMARE ALLEY On the one hand, this is a very impolite time to bring up this subject. On the other hand, it may be the best time and may help a number of people. I'm speaking here of SUGAR. In recent weeks, I've had a number of clients come in with vague complaints and looking for mysterious metaphysical answers. Instead, I question them about their diet, and to a person I find the same pattern. I'm amazed at how few people understand the connection between sugar (read SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES like grains, potatoes, carrots, corn) and their mood and energy levels. Rats! I know I would much rather believe there is some mysterious force acting on me that drives me to depression and low energy. I'd rather blame some discarnate entity...or better yet how about blame MOM and her genes! But the simple and ugly truth is that a huge percentage of mood disorders are caused by sugar in its many forms. And the cure is not pretty, especially at this time of year. The cure is a low carb high protein diet. Don't rely on me for your information. There is the classic book from the seventies, SUGAR BLUES which points out the connection. And my favorite book is SUGAR BUSTERS which has a very reasonable explanation of what sugar does to the human body. The cause is simple. The cure is most difficult! Our American diet feeds on the low cost simple carbs we all love so much. To cut way back is UNAMERICAN! And if you are addicted, as many of us are, you will go through serious withdrawal. I offer a test. I have several of my coaching clients on a Mood and Food chart. At the end of the day they record everything they ate that day. Then they rate their mood for the day on a scale of 1-10. If they find they had a bad mood day, they review what they ate the last 24 hours. Almost without exception they see the connection. And if you want to test the theory, some evening eat a bunch of sugar. Have a milkshake and some pie alamode. Really overdo it. Then in the morning record what your mood is. And does it improve around mid day? We alcoholics called that a Hangover. There is no comparable word for sugar addicts, but it feels the same! (And as an aside, sugar and alcohol are only one molecule apart, so all alcoholics are really sugar addicts. Just go to an AA meeting sometime and count the number of sugar cubes they put in their coffee!) I mention this at Christmas time because we are inundated with sugar and many people find this season filled with depression. There may very well be a connection! You might be mindful and see if it's true for you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BAH HUMBUG....DAMNED NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS Can it possibly be that time of year again, when we go through that mostly futile exercise of making New Year's resolutions? Admit it....you do make them. Even if we don't do formal ones, we all go through some kind of hopeful "fresh start" feeling on New Year's Day. And wonder of wonders, I actually did quit drinking alcohol one dismal New Year's Day 25 years ago and it stuck! But let's be frank. 90% of all such resolutions end in failure, and that failure only adds to a cumulative sense of failure in our lives. Hence, most people face the new resolutions with a built-in sense that they will fail. Want to improve the chance of success? Start building a new reservoir of success in such matters? Let me suggest you do some coaching specifically on your new resolution. If nothing else, the coach and the coaching process help hold your feet to the fire. That alone may put you on the success side rather than the failure side. And remember, I offer "Power Coaching" which may be all you need for success. If you have a New Year's Resolution firmly in mind, then you don't need to go through the intake portion of the normal coaching process, which takes three or more sessions just to determine what you want. We can just jump into the process and use some tried and true processes and tools to help you succeed. This could take as little as four or five sessions. I'm also happy to do a free sample session to see if you really like the process. Check out the new Coaching video on my website and then call me: www.donclarkson.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS AT THE WEBSITE You might want to go back to my website if you haven't been there in awhile. I have three short videos now to introduce viewers to the psychic and coaching processes, along with one on my interest in the tarot. Also, there is lots of FREE information on tools that may help you create what you want in life. Check out Coaching Tools on the left, and then click on the Sample Chapter. Lots of exercises that just might help! www.donclarkson.com -------------------------------------------------------------- RECESSION-CHRISTMAS SPECIAL I'm doing all I can to play Recession Santa here folks! If you buy any psychic reading by the end of 2008 I'll give you a certificate for TWO readings that can be used anytime through 2009. Twofers aren't just for meals in cheap restaurants! Readings are $145 for an hour, $115 for half hour, and $95 for an email reading of two questions. The only condition for the special? You have to ask for it when you call or email! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD I usually give the Death card as my Christmas card. Seriously. It's all about leaving the dark cold north and heading south into the warmth of transformation. It even has a seed in the position of the Star in the East. But this year I think I'll give the last card in the deck, The World card. In this difficult economic time, perhaps some of the messages of this card are appropriate at this time of year. This woman has levitated off the world. She has risen above whatever held her back and has overcome. She has become what she was meant to be. And she did it by LIMITATION. This card is called, The Uses of Limitation. If we keep in mind the levitation metaphor, it would take extraordinary focus to raise our selves off the floor, let alone off the world.. And focus is primarily a function of LIMITATION. To focus on one thing means to NOT focus on the hundred other things that may draw your attention. It takes single-minded attention to rise above problems and become what you want. I think we may need this kind of zen-like focus in the coming months to raise ourselves out of this economic mess. Success won't come by avoiding the issue but will come with extreme focus and action on the situation. The card quite literally says that if you give that extraordinary focus on your situation, you WILL rise above it, over come whatever has held you down, and come into "uncommon success." Gotta believe the cards! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPEAKING OF TAROT I have had a Coaching Tarot Salon in my home on Sunday evenings for the past many months and this session will be ending in January. I'll take a short break and then begin a new one. We focus on one card per week, discuss its meanings and discuss how the concepts make sense in our life, and then the second half of the salon is focusing on a coaching issue for each participant. We try to relate what we've learned from the card to discuss what each member can do in the coming week to move themselves forward toward their coaching goal. Tarot AND coaching together! Such a deal. You might go to my website and watch the short video on the Tarot to get a sense of why I think it's so important. If you think you might be interested, it's not too soon to let me know. The sessions fill up quickly. Let me know of your interest and I'll explain the Salon in detail. www.donclarkson.com ------------------------------------------------------------ WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? The Realtor half of my split personality just listed a wonderful updated unit in my own boutique condo building. Come be my neighbor and we'll have tea regularly and discuss the Tarot or whatever you like! This unit has some city view, is only a couple blocks to Portland State Univ and a few blocks to city central, the cultural district, and the streetcar. We even have a small 'pocket park' across the street. Our common area has a hot tub and huge patio with spectacular city view. The unit has two bedrooms, two baths, wood burning fireplace, private covered deck plus storage unit and gated garage space. $339,000. Seller may even consider lease option. Call Neighborhood Realty 503-295-9777, Don Clarkson © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Dec 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule God only knows! Holidays and now snow make my schedule unpredictable! Call or email and we'll meet. Networking Favorite Quote "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: New Age Fundamentalists? Can this be? Temperance Card In the New York Times....You Have to Believe it! Spend Money in a Recession? Power Coaching Speaking of Coaching...Literally..See my new Video ------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW AGE FUNDAMENTLISTS? REALLY? Absolutely. And it was one of my biggest surprises when I entered the metaphysical realm thirty years ago. Somehow I thought people in the New Age were all spiritually and intellectually evolved and therefore not subject to a fundamentalist mentality. I was wrong. And while I have no scientific proof, my sense is there are more and more of them. Of course, fundamentalism always grows more powerful during a crisis, such as the economic mess we're in. What are the characteristics of a fundamentalist? From my perspective: 1. They get their information from secondary sources, such as parents, priests, and politicians. 2. They don't critically examine that information. They don't personally test it to see if they agree with it. 3. They want YOU to believe it and swallow it whole without examining it, and just might burn you at the stake if you don't believe it. We've seen this mentality grow in the past few years in religion and politics particularly, leaving me with even less hair from pulling it out nightly through the election campaign especially. I thought I was safe in being around people involved in the so-called New Age, but to my chagrin, fundamentalism is as rampant there as anywhere. It is a mindset, thus not immune to any particular belief system. The New Age fundamentalist often adopts a current book as their Bible and trust the words simply because they are in print. But I remind you that these days especially, ANYONE can print a book promoting the most outrageous ideas, and all books before a few hundred years ago 'proved' that the earth was flat. This type of mind can also easily be swayed by a charismatic speaker or leader and I have watched many a client nearly fall on their knees at the mention of certain cult figures. And yes, there are virtually cult figures in the movement. And finally, these people want you and me to believe what they believe and if we don't they can get very hostile! I remember being invited to talk to a 'spiritual' group about the tarot and within ten minutes the group of 30 people had turned on me. After rolling of many eyes, they were appalled to hear that I might seriously question their belief in angels, ghosts, and physical creatures that live in the center of the earth. I left very shortly after suggesting there are medications that can help that mental condition. Point being: if we really want to think we have entered a New Age of thinking, then we have to go there with a new WAY of thinking. We cannot start with a closed mind filled with someone else's non-critical thinking. We have to test everything we believe through our own filters before we can adopt it as our own. Following is the Tarot card for this issue which deals with this very issue. --------------------------------------------------------------------- TEMPERANCE I teased my Tarot Salon group for weeks reminding them that typically only half the group shows up for the Emperor card and one other card, which I would not reveal. I think I so frightened them that only two members missed the Temperance card, which is that other most avoided card. Why would people not want to hear this information? This card, after all, is called The Gateway to the Spiritual. You don't get the good stuff in life if you're not willing to go through this card's insights. This is the Verification card....the test...trial. Before you can graduate spiritually, you MUST temper your thoughts, meaning hold them in the fire and burn out all the impurities to make your beliefs strong enough to sustain you through the rest of your process. You must go back and reexamine everything you know to be true...or thought you knew to be true...and ask yourself the nasty questions. Where did I get this belief? From whom? Are they trustworthy? Have they proven themselves to be reliable? Have I tested the validity of the information for myself? I think of a student of my visualization class who visualized for a new car. Three months later I saw her and asked about it and she was thrilled to report the visualization process had worked. She actually didn't have a new car but she did get a used bicycle. What? What kind of New Age Nonsense is this, I asked. Not only did she NOT get what she wanted but she had now damaged and demeaned the very process she was using to get what she wanted. I suggested instead that she review the information about the Temperance card and do what it suggests: be wrathful! Get pissed! Be so determined to get that new car that you burn out the nonsense in your thinking, you roll up your sleeves as the angel in the card does, and you get determined to make the universe bring that car! That's the TEMPERANCE card! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- IT'S IN THE NEW YORK TIMES....YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IT! Here's a link to an interesting, if badly titled, article in the Sunday New York Times titled "Love, Jobs, and 401(k)s." The gist of the article is that business for psychics and other types of 'soothsayers' (their word!) is way up in this difficult economic time. Previously, the most commonly asked questions dealt with romance. Now the majority of questions deal with career future, investment strategies, and the like. "Consulting a psychic for financial guidance is as good a strategy as any!" The article points out what we already knew, that our government and other economists and money people have all been wrong! "People will entertain the irrational when what they consider rational collapses." The article also points out that more and more corporations and individuals are inviting psychics to their parties where guests now ask probing questions about their finances instead of about meeting Mr. and Ms. Right. Some psychics report that now 50% of their business is with men. We are obviously in NEW territory! I encourage you to think about coming in for a reading on your finances, career or any other issue and join the crowd! Also remember that I do parties for groups and companies. In some cases the employees now EXPECT the company to provide a free reading from the psychic! And in case you do read the whole article, I do not, as yet, sell $70 moss scented candles to ward off economic demons. For $50, however, I can provide you with some fresh road kill that, when swung around your head three times, is said to provide economic security for an entire week. (Watch for my Christmas Road Kill Special, 4 for $150. Cash only.) CLICK HERE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SPEND MORE MONEY IN A RECESSION??? Sounds counter-intuitive....even oxymoronic to spend money when you should be saving it for the hard times ahead. (And yes, I DID predict that we were heading for hard times on a radio show in March and it's on record!) You might consider your situation and decide to take charge of it, rather than falling victim to the prevailing attitude in a recession....panic, fear, hopelessness. Let me help you gird your loins through this hard time and help you take concrete positive steps toward changing your life and your career. Through coaching we can weekly work on those positive steps and you will soon find you are there! And remember, all coaching clients get free psychic readings whenever they like. Call to discuss your needs and your finances. I'm happy to make arrangements that can fit your wallet and my need! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- POWER COACHING For people looking for help in establishing new goals and moving toward them, coaching can be a several month's long process. But there are other people who already know what they want but for whatever reason they are not reaching their goal. For these people I offer Power Coaching. We skip the entire intake three sessions where we establish goals and we hop into very directed coaching toward your prechosen goal. Typically it only lasts four sessions or so. We limit the process to the one issue....getting that book finished or published...moving into a new job...getting the bum out of your life. The cost is $85 per session with no intake fee. Review your life and if you are frustrated over lack of progress, call and let's discuss your need and how coaching could help. 503-295-9777. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SPEAKING OF COACHING.....LITERALLY If you click on the link below, you'll be directed to a new 2 minute video I just did for my website describing coaching. And no need to make comment on the fact that the Virgo even coordinated his shirt with his eyes. The comment is already old! CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Thanksgiving 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Call for appointments in person or on the phone. The holidays play havoc with schedules! Networking Favorite Quote I love Thanksgiving turkey. It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts. ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: METAPHYSICS AND MONEY....YET AGAIN REAL WORLD AND MONEY... FREE READING --------------------------------------------------------------------------- METAPHYSICS AND MONEY - MONEY - MONEY - MONEY. As several readers have commented on over the years, I tend to 'tackle the big issues head on' in this newsletter. What issue is most on peoples' minds today? What needs to be discussed and probably isn't? "It's the economy, stupid!" The issues I deal with in my psychic practice tend to go in cycles, and now most clients are asking for help with money, so let's talk about money in the illusive realm of metaphysics. I could get very airy-fairy here and mention the ancient concept that money is not a thing but is really energy used as a means of exchange. We know this to be true in some sense because most of us don't actually use money anymore... coins, bills. Most 'money' transactions are done electronically using energy, quite literally. So money is more of a concept than a thing that can be horded and counted. But if it's just energy, why do we all get so frightened about it? We ascribe all our survival fears onto it now. Humans are all afraid of loss, lack, starvation, deprivation. We have attached all that to money, so it's no wonder we worry about it. But imagine that if you were in a culture that did away with all money, you would still have your fears of loss that you would have to attach to something else. So it really wasn't the money after all, but the fear that we need to deal with. >From my reading of metaphysics, our fears have been forced down into our subconscious where they fester and grow until they explode into the conscious realm in some known fear or ailment. So, it would seem that the subconscious is where we need to go to deal with the fears. There are several known and proven systems for you to work with your subconscious on these fear issues. I don't need to remind you of my own belief in the power of visualization. For a refresher course you can go to my Coaching Tools page. There is also the very simple and effective tool of making a collage of pictures showing where you would like to be in terms of what money could do for you. There is the old standby that works for many, prayer. Any and all of these techniques can work if you do the one thing common to them all: focus on the end picture. Do NOT focus on the money. The subconscious does not understand money as a concept, so having one piece of money is the same as a million. What it does understand is what money can DO for you, so all systems that I know of suggest you decide what you want the money to do and visualize, pray, for that. Another metaphysical solution may be to go outside yourself for help through metaphysical practitioners. Dare I remind you, a psychic reading might just be in order to help you focus on the best course of action to take in a recession? Could save lots of time and energy going down dead end paths. Another route I have suggested to many of my clients is to visit a shaman. This seemed too far out for me until I started to see what the shamans could do with issues like money. I don't pretend to understand how they work, but I know from first hand experience and that of dozens of my clients that it can and does work. A shaman would really work on the 'energy' of your money issue. If you're interested, you can check out the Referrals section of my website for a shaman near you. And finally, to raise the discussion to an even higher, or remote, area... If you are having economic troubles perhaps this period will in the end be of great value to you. Or you could try to make it so. I have watched many of my clients fret and fuss over their lack of money or proper work until one day they wake up to the fact that they needed to totally reevaluate their lives and it was the money pressure that made them do that. It wasn't pleasant perhaps, but in the long run they moved their lives into realms they might never have gone if everything had gone smoothly. In a recent interview, I heard the singer Joni Mitchell say, in describing a particularly difficult period of her life, "When you throw out the demons the angels leave also." She went on to explain that only in her trials did new and creative answers come for her life. If she had not had the conflict or 'demon' she would never have gotten the 'angel' with the solutions. Certainly none of us ask for financial problems, but if it comes to you, perhaps there are ways you can make it an angel of discovery that will bring great joy and benefit. ------------------------------------------------------------------- THE REAL WORLD AND MONEY! Several months ago on a radio show I was asked if we were heading into a recession and I said I thought not...that we were heading into a depression. Pray that I'm wrong, but in the meantime take action. After you've attacted the money issue from the illusive metaphysical realm, you may want to do some real world things to save more money. Here are a few I've thought of. If you have further suggestions, send them along for the next issue. GAS: find the cheapest in your city by checking online. In Portland it's usually Radio Cab gas in NW Portland. Open 24 HOurs. NEWSPAPERS: Did you know that most are free online? Even the NY TImes is half price if you get it online. ENTERTAINMENT: there are lots of free events going on in any city. For example, I have recently gone to three dress rehearsals of plays for free in Portland. If you get on this maillist you'll be notified of them all: pdxbackstage@yahoogroups.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- POSSIBLE FREE READING My readers love stories best of all, so here's your chance to tell a story and maybe win a prize. Know that possibly half the readers of this blog have never had a reading or coaching. They may be intrigued but skeptical. If you have had a positive exerpience from a reading or coaching you'd like to share, send it to me and the best story will get published and you'll get a free reading! © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Oct 27, 08 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking Favorite Quote Spotted on Bumper Stickers Recently: "PRAY FOR EVOLUTION" "DON'T IMPEACH...INDICT!!"

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: "You're 64 but look 63." Testimonial on the CUBE FREE Tools in a Crisis Good News in a Bad Economy The Empress Tarot Card Heck of a Deal Property! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU'RE 64 BUT YOU LOOK 63! This is what a so-called friend said recently on my birthday. Jerk! To damn with faint praise came to mind! But even though it was very faint praise, it did feel good in a small way. And it got me noticing how often I hear this from or of other people. We often praise people for looking younger than their years. I especially remember a Woody Allen movie where he visits an ancient woman dying in the hospital and he says something dumb like, "You look like you're ready to go dancing." She nearly spits at him and says, "You stupid fool. I'm old, sick and will be dead by morning." All this time I thought these little praises were our way of stroking someone's vanity. And I suspect it is very vain of us to want to look younger than our years. But something keeps nagging at me suggesting this is more than pure vanity. I remember years ago when I ran away from home and spent 6 months on the Oregon coast in the fall. Every day I fully expected the Oregon Rain to set in, but each day was more gorgeous than the last. All of September. All of October. Into November. And in the deepest part of my brain I wondered: Maybe we won't HAVE winter this year! Maybe something magical will happen and we just have summer all year long. My favorite poet Mary Oliver speaks to this issue in several of her poems. From Black Snake she says: Yet under reason burns a brighter fire, which the bones have always preferred. It is the story of endless good fortune. It says to oblivion: not me! >From PINEWOODS she tells the story of wild deer running through the forest. ..in some kind of rapturous mistake, the deer did not run away but walked toward me and touched my hands-- and I have been, ever since separated from my old, comfortable life... every morning I stroll out into the fields, I believe in everything-- I believe in anything--- It's more than vanity then, this desire to look younger. It may be our very primitive brain hoping that we will defeat death itself...that we will not go 'gentle into the good night.' Maybe by some magical process the deer will metaphorically and magically touch us and we will overcome what we are told is inevitable. And of course, lest we forget, there are several million people on the planet who believe we CAN overcome death and can prolong our bodies in this physical state as long as we choose. I don't know that I believe it, but it still nags at my thoughts and pokes at my primitive brain.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A VERY PRACTICAL TOOL FOR THESE DIFFICULT TIMES Testimonial on doing a CUBE. Okay, so I did a cube on my job situation because I wasn't finding work after sending out 200 resumes. (YES! 200!) So I did a cube (see attached) and it took exactly seven days for results. I got a call out of the blue from a recruiter I had networked with and she had a job opportunity for me with a healthcare company...I know you don't remember, but back in 1994 at my first reading with you, you said you saw me working in healthcare. I balked, thinking I did not, in any way, want to work in healthcare. So my recruiter had to PUSH me to take the interview, even though I have no money! I begrudgingly went to the interview, totally not caring in the least if I got the job, and ended up completely impressing the office manager. They called me back for a second interview and I met with four staff members, including the president of the company. I was cool as a cucumber because I thought I was not really in the running. I ended up hitting it off with everyone, and they raved about me to the recruiter. I was quite impressed with the company because they are a smaller start-up firm that specializes in knee replacement parts for torn acl's. It's a totally laid-back, positive, and fun atmosphere with lots of windows looking out onto the desert--not at all what I expected of 'healthcare.' Not only did they offer me the position, they raised my salary above what their ceiling was because they really wanted me! How's that for a success story??!! And I had also done a grape-cluster too...Next I'm going to focus on the man! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FREE TOOLS The CUBE described above is just one of several tools I offer to readers free of charge. In difficult times like this especially, it's nice to find something that is empowering. Each of the tools has that potential....to make you feel in charge of your own destiny. Your single-minded focus on some goal or dream can overcome George Bush, Congress, and Wall Street put together. Truly! Go to my website: www.donclarkson.com Click on COACHING TOOLS and read the chapter from my book that lists the exercises with directions. I look forward to printing your testimonial describing your success with the tools! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOOD NEWS IN A BAD ECONOMY 1. If you are a Libran you can take $20 off any reading for yourself during October! 2. Yes, I take credit cards, but more than that, I'm happy to take deferred payments of whatever nature helps you for any of my services. I expect to get paid, but when I get paid is up for negotiation. In short...I'M EASY. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE EMPRESS TAROT CARD (This has been one of the most popular features of my newsletter. Many find it curious that the information they need in their lives at this moment is the very insight contained in the card! Funny how that happens....) This is the How To card in all of Tarot. "Yeah, but what do I DO about my situation," clients often ask. The answer is always this card. Visualize! Empress is 81/2 months pregnant. She is potent. Potential. Note the twelve stars over her head. Long explanation short, if we just use the visualization potential and see pictures in our head, those pictures will activate the birthing process and the Empress part of us will create the new image we have in our head. "Clarity of vision" is the best way to describe it. Once we have that the Empress part of us puts things in motion that make the vision come into reality. For practical tools from this card, note the website above and do a Grape Cluster or Cube, the two simplest visualization tools. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LET'S MAKE A DEAL! If you're in Portland, you can take advantage of the bad economy and get one heck of a deal on the Harrison towers final units. They only have about 5 left and want to be done with it. I recently sold one unit for $40,000 less than the asking price, and there is reason to believe they'll do even better for you! Call me if you'd like more details on this terrific property in a great location! © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Oct 08 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking SPACE FOR RENT Space available for rent in wonderful alternative medicine clinic in inner SE Portland. Two offices available, either full-time or part-time. Seeking naturopathic physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, MD, PA or FNP. Currently have 3 ND's, 1 DC, 2 LMT's and a therapist. For more information, call Judy at 503-520-8859, or check us out at www.naturalchoicesclinic.com. Favorite Quote A woman is like a teabag. You can't tell how strong she is till you put her in hot water. Eleanor Roosevelt

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: Finding Your Passion (Hint...it isn't lost) Ask the Psychic The High Priestess card ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINDING YOUR PASSION It isn't lost. It never was lost. Trust me on this....your passion is not like a lost dog that you have to go outside and run through town to find. At this very moment, you KNOW what your passion is and you know how to make it real. It isn't lost....but it may very well be hidden for all kinds of subconscious reasons. (See below for more on the subconscious.) In the decades that I have worked with psychic and coaching clients, I have never had a client discover their passion without saying something like, "Well, that's no surprise....I've always known that. At some level." Ah...there's the rub. At some deep subconscious level, we always know our passion. As in the High Priestess pictures below, the information is on that scroll in your mind and now your job is to entice that part of you to open the scroll and let you see what you already know. There are many techniques to help you relearn your passion. Therapy is one way that has been used well for some people over the past several decades. But it's often a long and costly affair. Prayer seems to have worked for some people, if we are to believe what we read. I can't say that I know anyone who has found it this way, but I suspect there are many who do. Hypnosis even works for some people. It can sometimes remove the blinders from a person's eyes long enough for them to see what they thought they shouldn't see. Some people even seem to have Burning Bush kinds of experiences, but I tend to be too impatient to wait for spontaneous combustion! I tend to like visual tools, such as the grape cluster or the cube, or a meditative or visualization process. I can often go to my subconscious, which I visualize as a young boy, and simply ask him this kind of question. It's a Huna technique I highly recommend. If you want more information you might read HUNA, An Introduction, by Enid Hoffman. But here's yet another way that I frankly loved hearing about! I recently worked with a client in a coaching session to find her passion, which apparently has eluded her all her life. We spent 45 minutes trying visualization and other tools, but nothing really seemed to work. At some point in the conversation I mentioned something that would involve traveling by air, and she got agitated and said she hated to fly. In fact, every time she gets on a plane she assumes it will crash and she'll be killed. It's at this point that she always thinks of her greatest regret...that she didn't live to do more good in the world...that she didn't do something to help poor disadvantaged children, especially. When she spoke those words, I just sat and stared at her. The pregnant pause grew to 15 or 20 seconds, and then tears welled up in her eyes and we both started to laugh. "Is that it? Is that my passion?" Well, duh! Anything that moves you to tears can also move you to action! Her job now is to investigate the many ways she can make her passion come into concrete reality. That's what we'll be doing in the coaching process. You might try something like this yourself. Don't put a gun to your head, but find a way that is appropriate to you to put pressure on yourself. If you were about to die and could be saved in order to carry out one thing....what would that be? Isn't this by definition your passion? The thing that raises you up from your deadness? Then if you need help bring this new-found passion into the real world, call to discuss the coaching process. No charge to discuss it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASK THE PSYCHIC (If you have a simple question that may have general appeal, send me your question for the next issue and get a free reading here!) .."How does one keep faith alive that one's business and practice will grow when you're struggling just to make ends meet and pay bills?" From L.G. Questions, questions...all the time these tough questions from readers! You not only make me have to think but have to live out my beliefs. I hate it when that happens! As per usual, I go to the Tarot for the answer. I think the answer is best portrayed by the first and second cards in the deck...The Fool and The Magician. And the simple answer is in where their eyes are looking. In The Fool card, the figure looks up, not down toward all the problems that could exist. In other words, he keeps his eye on the Vision...the goal...the dream. I think we can do that by certain practices. Meditate daily just briefly about your vision; do a Grape Cluster that I talk about all too often; do a vision board. Do something where you are reminded vividly and visually just what the goal is. But that is only part of the process and I fear that most people stop here. I hear coaching clients often bemoaning their fate that nothing is happening toward their goal, but when questioned, all they have done is visualize it. "I thought that was enough," one client recently said in session. No, actually, that's not enough. In fact, simply rehearsing the vision in my head doesn't DO anything toward making it happen. And there is the operable word: DO. Now look at the Magician card and note his eyes. They are now focused down onto the table. Actually they focus on the very tip of the sword on the table. This is the ZEN card...focus, focus, focus. This is all about DOING something to make things appear in reality. Doing something to bring the vision from that ethereal state into the concrete state. This is why in coaching we are always talking about actions. "What are you willing to do today, this week, this month toward manifesting this dream?" I make lists. I have a master list of many things I want to accomplish, and then each morning as I begin the day I take off from that list the actions I want to do today and move them to a sticky note. This starts my day off by focusing on ACTION more than the dream. I may visualize and meditate on the dream, but then I get busy with sticky notes! In short, we need to follow our eyes like the figures in the cards. Keep your eyes daily looking up toward the goal and then looking down toward concrete action. Over time, it's the actions that will bring the vision, not some mysterious mystical force out there in the ethers! ----------------------------------------- TAROT CARD Many readers have written that they benefit from hearing the messages of the Tarot in this extremely simplified way, so I will continue! The High Priestess Cool looking lady! "Cool" meaning COLD. This is no warm fuzzy mother figure, but a cool and dispassionate part of you....your subconscious. She tightly holds a scroll upon which is written everything that your senses have ever experienced. And it doesn't look like she's going to open that scroll without being coaxed into it. The point here is that your subconscious is that part of you that has its eyes wide open and sees all. It may be difficult to recapture it later and you may need to use techniques to get it to release the information....techniques such as visualization, meditation, grape clusters, etc, etc, etc. The real terror of this whole process is that the subconscious records everything dispassionately, but once the information is in there, it may draw its own conclusions, which may be very wrong conclusions. "Men/women are always like that," based on the limited experience of a parent or a bad relationship. And my personal favorite, "You'll spend that money and then be living under the Burnside bridge with the rest of the homeless," which comes straight from my Depression Era father. I didn't even experience that situation and yet my actions are being guided by someone else's subconscious patterns! In Huna, the Hawaiian metaphysical system, we say our main work as humans is to dialogue with, hear from, and retrain our own subconscious. Huna acknowledges a supreme power...God...in the universe but it specifically says, "Give up trying to find or figure out God. Your job on earth is to understand and control your own subconscious." © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Sept 2, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Office hours Monday, Wed, Thursday. Phone readings by appointment. Networking (If you have something to promote to a metaphysical audience, let's talk. You could be promoting yourself in this spot which reaches hundreds of readers.) Favorite Quote "The reality you experience is a mirror image of your expectations." Anonymous

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: Eureka! Brain Proof Ask the Psychic Measurable Results Need Office Space? Tarot: The Magician ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EUREKA! (This information comes from an article "The Eureka Hunt: Why do good ideas come to us when they do?" in The New Yorker, July 18, 2008.) I have written about this conundrum before, but now will repeat myself because there is a scientific paper with some evidence that I was right! God knows I believe in the power of meditation/visualization to bring insight. I teach classes in the stuff! But I have also reported being frustrated by the process. When I have something really really important to ask about, I usually go to the top of Cascade Head on the Oregon coast and wait for the Gods to give me answers. For years I would spend hours there, realize no insights, and then leave shaking my fist at the Gods for wasting my time. However, I finally realized that on my drive home I DID get the insights and I took notes furiously as I drove. Once I realized this, I built it into my process. Going away...whether to the beach or to a special corner of my room...is NOT when I should expect the insight. That part of the process is to get away from the question! It's AFTER the going away that the answer will come. Now comes evidence the brain really does do this. If you have access to the New Yorker, I suggest you read the article. If not, here are some ideas from it. "The insight process is a delicate mental balancing act. At first, the brain lavishes the scarce resources of attention on a single problem. (See the Magician card below.) But, once the brain is sufficiently focused, the cortex needs to relax in order to seek out the more remote associations in the right hemisphere, which will provide the insight. The relaxation phase is crucial. That's why so many insights happen during warm showers.... We must concentrate, but we must concentrate on letting the mind wander! On the one hand, an epiphany is a surprising event; we are startled by what we've just discovered. Some part of our brain, however, clearly isn't surprised at all, which is why we are able to instantly recognize the insight. ... The brain has been concertedly pursuing the answer; we just didn't know it. When that obscure circuit in the right hemisphere finally generates the necessary association, the prefrontal cortex is able to identify it instantly, and the insight erupts into awareness. We suddenly notice the music that has been playing all along." My practical suggestion is for you to focus on your issue, get clarity on what the real question is and write it down, then find a way to NOT focus on the issue by taking a walk or doing something to distract your conscious mind, knowing the other part of your mind is working on the answer. But then set aside some time to 'download' the answer that is fermenting in your mind and write down whatever comes to your mind. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASK THE PSYCHIC (If you have a simple question that has some general appeal, send me a note and maybe you'll get a free reading next issue!) I've had a rather unusual conundrum in my life recently, and I thought I'd run it by you as a possible candidate for your 'ask the psychic' slot - if it's not too obscure. Over the past two-to-three years, I seem to have lost almost all my friends. It's not just that we've grown apart or that we never really had much in common. It's that they drop me cold from one day to the next, with no explanation, and I never hear from them again, despite my e-mails and messages asking what's up. I think I'm a pretty nice friend (and probably give too much, if anything) so I can't figure this one out. It's happened exactly the same way with four different friends, none of whom know each other. The Psychic Responds: I wanted to say something cute and clever, like you picked them all up at the same time like cans of soup, and they all have the same expiration date! But then I did a reading on the situation and find that my answer may in fact be rather close to my cute response! I think there is something very similar in these friends that was part of your selection process in the first place. There are one or more things in common with these friends that have them all ending the friendship in the same way. No clear sense of what that is comes to mind, but you can find out. Review what they have in common. All are very busy? All very young? All over-worked? Something like this will stand out and show that you selected very similar people who acted the same way with your friendship. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEASURABLE RESULTS A Coaching Fundamental Technique One of the basic tools any coach uses is helping the client define "measurable results." In fact, I think the failure to do this is one of the primary forces that pushes clients to get coaching help in the first place. We all have visions, dreams, hopes that at the end of the day are usually NOT met, which can lead to escalating frustration. One of the basic ways to reduce that frustration is to break down that vision into bite size pieces that can reasonably be completed in a specific amount of time. I try to get a new coaching client to identify near, medium and long term measurable results so we both have a clear understanding of where we're heading. The real bonus comes when either I as coach or the client on their own realizes that a measurable result has been achieved. This is time for celebration and acknowledgment that progress has been made. It may be as simple a 'celebration' as crossing something off the list of things to do. I can only think of a couple things that are more satisfying and fulfilling than crossing something off my list, and I blush even thinking of them! Another reason to have measurable results written down is to keep from kidding yourself. As humans we are pretty good at kidding ourselves into thinking we are progressing on our path. We may convince ourselves that lots of spinning of wheels and frantic activity is moving us somewhere, but if we have real results as a goal we cannot fool ourselves. Either we attained that result or we didn't! If you need help defining measurable results for yourself, hire me as your coach! I do in person and telephone coaching. Or sit yourself down, identify your overall vision, and then write down very specific results you can attain in a day, a week, one month, three months, and a year. Then POST those goals where you'll see them and write the most specific and current goals on a sticky note in your daily calendar. I'm not kidding here. I believe one of the great tools in coaching is the use of sticky notes. They are a gentle but constant reminder to you of what is important that very day! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEED AN OFFICE DOWNTOWN? I'm in my office 4 days per week, which leaves 3 days unused. If you could use a centrally located office in Portland, contact me. 503-295-9777 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The MAGICIAN Since I've started describing a specific Tarot card each issue, I've heard from many of you that it has been helpful at just the right moment in your life, which is great news! If you are studying or using the cards, you may want to copy or somehow save each card's information for later reference, or remember they are archived at my website. The Magician represents Conscious Mind. The previous card, The Fool, represents Superconscious mind and the next card, The High Priestess, represents subconscious mind. The Magician reaches up into the diffuse yellow energy, he creates a vivid picture in his mind, and then makes things appear on the table. Thus in Tarot, creating "magic" is really just making things happen in the physical realm. It isn't magic but our conscious focus that makes things "magically" appear! This card is all about "intention" and "attention." Paying attention to what you want and then getting very intentional about making it happen in the real world. The challenge of this card is to get consciously focused on what you want to create. To quote Marsha Sinetar: We must begin---right now, no matter what our circumstances---to ACT AS IF we have faith in our own brains and capabilities. This means taking action on that faith, not just holding positive thoughts. It also means we stop, as much as possible, acting helpless or depending on others for our answers. ---------------------------------------- © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. August 5, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking Your Beliefs Matter. Change Your Beliefs and Change Your Life! Learn How to Unleash the Hidden Power Of Your Subconscious Mind. PSYCH-K (Psychology Kinesiology) is a self-empowering tool to help you change beliefs, attitudes, perceptions at the subconscious level of the mind. The subconscious mind is 95% of our consciousness and is powerful. If you feel "stuck" in some old patterns, PSYCH-K is a tool to change limiting beliefs to ones that support you! It is effective in many areas of life: self-esteem, health, weight management, relationships, grief & loss, prosperity, personal power, and spirituality. Joan Cameron teaches Basic and Advanced PSYCH-K workshops in Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, and Hawaii. Joan offers Personal Sessions in Portland and Phone Sessions around the United States. There are only about 20 Advanced Certified Instructors in the World! WWW.YourBeliefsMatter.com joan@yourbeliefsmatter.com 503-245-8296 Favorite Quote "Once it is generally recognized that death is the real enemy, not our neighbors; that there are no gods in the reviewing stand to be impressed by our deeds or the achievements of others, then we may learn to forgo the destructive competition for the approval of nonexistent judges. When that time comes, Evil with a big "E," as we know it now, will begin to wither away. Alan Harrington, The Immortalist

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: EASING FRUSTRATIONS ASK THE PSYCHIC BLATANT SELF PROMOTION NEW SALON FORMING THE FOOL CARD INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------------------------- EASING THE FRUSTRATION Two coaching clients have recently reminded me of the obvious...one of the basic, fundamental points of coaching itself. Visions are not actions. Much frustration can result from thinking visions are actions. Let me explain....through an illustration. I've written about my actress client before and she will do well for this illustration. Her vision, goal, or dream was to become an actress in Hollywood. Her vision was unusually clear and she used all the tools I know to visualize it and pray for it. But at the end of the day, she was more frustrated than the day before because her vision had not been accomplished. She judged herself and the day as failures, so each day her enthusiasm for her vision was a bit diminished, and who could blame her! Failure is a bummer. In the coaching process on day one she learned that her vision of being an actress needed to be the overriding vision in the sky.....which can be illustrated below in the Fool card where he looks up to his vision. But that vision of being an actress is not an action that can be accomplished during one day. The vision needs to be seen on high, but on the daily earth level she needed to DO something. Coaching is a process to help you decide what action you will take this day or this week that will move you toward your goal or vision. In this client's case, one of her first actions was to call a house painter. We determined through the coaching process that she needed to move to LA, and in order to do that she must sell her house, and to do that she needed to get it painted. Her action for the day was to call the painter. At the end of the day, she felt terrific because she had accomplished her action which was directly connected to her vision. So now instead of feeling a failure she was a success. After doing several more simple actions like that which set other wheels in motion, she was able to move to LA and become an actress in a mere six months. The lesson here is to be very careful that you are separating your vision from your actions and that you are very clear what actions you want to take on a daily basis. This way you will feel movement and accomplishment toward your goal each day instead of feeling a failure. The vision remains a dream in the sky, which you visualize or pray over, but it generates ACTIONS you take on the ground! Class dismissed. -------------------------------------------------------- ASK THE PSYCHIC (If you have a fairly simple single question that you would like a short free reading on, send it to me. I'll do the reading and print it in the next issue. I tend to choose questions that have a broader appeal to readers, so keep that in mind when forming the question. Also let me know if you want your name used or not.) Dear Psychic: How long will this recession last? The Psychic Replies: Two thoughts: First, never ask a psychic a timing question, or at least don't rely on the timing aspect of your question. Psychics are notoriously bad at timing since most of us are dealing with pictures and there is little to suggest the time. As for the recession, I have some fear of expressing an opinion for fear of only adding to the Collective Consciousness that already has lots of fear messages floating around in the soup. But I'll say what I see. My sense is that this is not a Recession but a Depresssion, and seeing on the news this morning hundreds of weeping depositors outside their bank certainly tends to confirm my worst fears. I hope I'm wrong and would be glad to be wrong, but in the mean time I just checked with my bank to make sure my accounts are insured; I have cut back on buying anything of an 'upgrade' nature that I don't need; and "My Summer Vacation" essay this fall will probably describe a couple days at the Oregon coast. ---------------------------------------------------------------- BLATANT SELF PROMOTION From Michelle Christensen, an area shaman and recent SALON participant (www.ancientwellsprings.com): Dear Don, I want to thank you for the wonderful, amazing and powerful Tarot Salon. This class will forever go down in my personal history files as one of the most profound experiences in my life! You are a gifted teacher/facilitator of this very rich and complex material. I commend you for the depth at which you are able to convey this knowledge, both as a facilitator and as a human experiencing it. ------------------------------------------------------------- NEW SALON FORMING For years...decades...I've taught a class in the ancient wisdom contained in the Tarot cards. For the past six months, I've held a weekly Tarot Salon in my home where we learned about the many concepts in the cards and then discussed them in relation to our own lives. Hence the name Salon...where people come together to discuss, share, learn. Now I want to morph this salon into more of a COACHING SALON where we will again go through the 22 cards of the Major Arcana of the ancient Tarot, but that information will only take up an hour of the session. The rest of the time will be spent helping each member integrate the insights learned from the card into their own lives and paths. The Tarot is called The Fools Journey. And no...there is nothing 'foolish' about it! The Fool card begins the deck and shows a person stepping off into the unknown, driven or urged to take a new path in their life. Thus, the Coaching Salon would be well used by someone wanting to embark on a new journey. Maybe a new career is calling but not yet clear? Perhaps there is a health or fitness issue that needs to be addressed? There is always the ever-popular and for some ever-frustrating issue of relationship, which might well be improved by using the wisdom of the cards. This will be a participation group. If people are quiet and shy it won't work! It works if we all get to know what path we are wanting and we can all add our encouragement. I have had training in life coaching and have been a coach for 15 years and will use my skills to help each member move forward weekly on their newly chosen path. This Salon will be about YOU and about you using the cards' information on a daily and weekly basis toward a chosen end. For the first time in 25 years, I'm raising the price to $20 per session for the 22 week course. I'm also asking that members make the commitment to stay with the group and not drop in and out. Thus, I ask for prepayment for the entire session, much like a college class. Sessions will be taped in case you miss one. If payment is a problem, we can discuss how to make it easy on you. For the value of learning the wisdom of the Kaballah, which is the source of the Tarot, plus the benefit of weekly coaching, I feel this is a bargain. The coaching alone with me for 22 weeks would cost over $2,000. (Gees...that's a better deal than I thought! Better sign up fast before I change my mind!) The Coaching Salon is already over half full with past participants so hurry if you're interested. The Salon will meet on Sundays at 6 PM in my condo above Portland State University beginning August 10th. Space is very limited so this will be a small intimate group. If you're interested, contact me by email and let's start a dialogue on what path you want to enter to see if we both think this is the best step for you. Email: donclarkson@comcast.net ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE FOOL....beginning a new exciting journey! THE FOOL is the first card in the Tarot deck. It is the beginning of the Fool's Journey. He steps off the ledge, not looking down where he could see all the problems he will face, but keeps his eyes lifted up toward his vision. And don't worry. He steps off 'into the hand of God,' the cards tell us. It is the white sun's rays that push him off the ledge, and they represent God force, Source, or what I call The Urging. Whatever it is that makes him want to be unique and head off on a journey is the same power that will support him along the way and show him the next step. In other words, the Fool does not need to know what each step will be. He just needs to know he has to leave! He leaves with only two things. The rose represents desire. The purse, which is behind him, contains his memories. I think it's a beautiful metaphor suggesting we can never leave behind our memories, but we can "put them behind us" so they are not leading the way and making our current decisions for us. And note the dog. He seems to be warning the Fool not to step off. The dog is "man's best friend," and it's important to remember that. It represents all those outer AND INNER voices that will tell him not to take that first step. The message is that even those who, out of love for us, warn us not to go, are really our best friends, because they force us to calculate the risk we are about to take. We have to be able to answer their fears and warnings, or we are not ready to take the leap. So in the end, this card is called "Calculated Risk." And The Fool title actually refers to the people who stay behind and warn him not to go. THEY are the fools for not having the courage to take a risk and be what they want. © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. July 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Call for phone or in-person appointment: 503-295-9777 Networking SECOND HALF OF LIFE: What's Next? Friday, August 8, 7-8:30 p.m. New Renaissance Bookstore We are all born with a great dream for our lives; in the second half of life it is time to resurrect this dream. Are you 50+ and wondering what is next for you? In this mini, interactive workshop based on the book, "The Second Half of Life; Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom" by Angeles Arrien, you will have the opportunity to experience the freedom, the excitement and the joy of this time. This is a fun evening exploring each of the gates with the opportunity to examine how they apply to your life. For more information visit www.newrenbooks.com. Carol McKeag is a Certified Life Coach who partners with clients, supporting them to live their authentic lives, facilitates Wisdom Circles based on the "Second Half of Life" in Portland and Seattle and offers workshops and seminars on Intentional Living. Please visit her website at www.carolmckeag.com. ------------------------------ WOMEN'S WISDOM CIRCLES Are you 50 or over and wondering if this is all there is? Wondering what you want and who you are? If so, you might want to join one of the Women's Wisdom Circles based on the book, "The Second Half of Life, Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom" by Angeles Arrien. These circles meet for ten two hour sessions on a bi-weekly basis. Seattle Circle to begin early August; Portland Circle late August. Facilitated by Carol McKeag, Certified Life Coach, who presents mini-workshops on the Second Half of Life, and is living the material. For general information about Carol please go to her website at www.carolmckeag.com; and for specific information about the Circles please contact her at carol@carolmckeag.com. Favorite Quote "Unless you are educated in metaphor, you are not safe to be let loose in the world." Robert Frost.

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: Ask the Psychic....But What a Tough Question! Yet Another Testimonial to Grapes Feeling Stuck? Taurus Special Attention Writers Good Real Estate News? Really?! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A FAIR...IF DIFFICULT!...QUESTION (This question comes for Ask The Psychic column. It's a very worthy question and you may not like the answer I give. If you have a contrary point of view, send it to me and I may publish it in the next issue.) Okay, here's a question for you. Everyone is talking about the Law of Attraction. I know you know it works, because you've witnessed it (such as with the grape cluster method) in yourself and others. I also know you're good at seeing through fads and superficial definitions jumped on by the *New Age.* Here's the weird thing. Both my daughter and I have had this happen numerous times in our past: We fear the worst. Such as that we won't get an article accepted, or we won't get accepted into the university or that we won't pass the test. We fear this same fear over and over and over again. We pace, we break out into a sweat, we despair. We complain, we hate, we want to check out. The worst might as well have already happened, because we're already suffering for it. According to the Law of Attraction, we should, by now, be manifesting that which we so continually fear and so vividly visualize and feel. But time and time again, the opposite happens. Almost in an eerie way, the good news phone call comes, the acceptance comes. Each time the situation arises, we despair again, and each time, we've been "rescued." Many would say that "good" actually came to us in spite of visualizing the worst, because we had good thoughts in the past that made up for the bad. But let me tell you, when it comes to these situations, it has always been bad, and it has been bad for years. If there's some reason for good things to happen with bad thoughts, how does it fit in with the regular Law of Attraction where I feel guilty each time I accidentally think negatively? Is there some way to keep working at positive visualizations, but still allow negative thinking to be productive if we sent out "help" signals, or whatever we're doing? Are we retarded? The Psychic Responds: Sit down for this one honey! You may not like my take on all this. Yes, I believe in the power of visualization and I teach classes in it, the cluster, etc. All these tools are meant to make something manifest in the real world. However, I don't believe there is anything 'metaphysical' about the process. I don't think anything 'escapes' me and goes out and finds someone or something to influence. The reason we do these processes is primarily to get in touch with our own subconscious to find out what we really want and get clarity of vision. Once we have that, then as we go through time and space, I think we are in effect fly-paper. Things we visualized start to stick to us. We may hear a comment and ask one more question that we wouldn't have before. We may see something on TV or an ad that sticks to one of our pictures and we call that a coincidence, but it wasn't that so much as it stimulated a picture just below our conscious mind. Then it's our job to do something with it and take action. I think it explains why you can think horrible fearful thoughts and still have a positive thing happen. I don't think your thoughts have anything to do with affecting that outcome. It's already done. But your thoughts can certainly affect what it is you want in life and make you hyper aware of potentials and opportunities around you that you would probably have missed if you hadn't done the visualization process. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ YET ANOTHER TESTIMONIAL OF SUCCESS!! THE GRAPE CLUSTER EXERCISE: SHARING AN EXPERIENCE About five years ago, I met with my friend Don Clarkson for lunch. I was bereft after the break-up of a significant relationship, and felt that I would never "find the right guy." Don told me to try this exercise called "The Grape Cluster." He said to draw a cluster of grapes on a large piece of poster paper and inside each grape write a visual image of something I could see myself doing with "my perfect man." Don explained that the image would clue in my subconscious to be receptive to the kind of man I truly wanted in my life. This idea was frankly a little "wu-wu" for me, but I thought to myself, "What do I have to lose?" And besides, it would probably be an interesting exercise in and of itself. So I did it. I went to Art Media and picked out my poster paper. I carefully drew my grape cluster, with leaves for good measure. The cluster contained about thirty grapes. Then I wrote such things as the following: "I see him in the movie theater with me, holding my hand. He loves film!" "I see him holding me while I cry deeply; he is not afraid of my sadness." "I see us reading poetry together in bed." "I see him loving art of all kinds--I see us visiting galleries, museums, and places of beauty. He has a strong aesthetic sense." Well, I thought that the exercise was indeed interesting, but would it bear fruit, so to speak? I wasn't really a believer. So I stuffed it in the closet. As I said, that was five years ago. For all those years, I had met no man I had any interest in, whatsoever. I came to the conclusion that my intimate life was over. This was a depressing thought, but after all those years, and at my age (I'm now 66), I thought, "Well, maybe I just have to adjust to being lonely." Then out of the blue--as they say, "when you least expect it"--I met a wonderful man. And yet, I had vague, nagging doubts that I couldn't pin down--after all, I had been unsuccessful in love too many times in the past. So late one night as I was expressing some of these doubts to my guy, I suddenly remembered--the grape cluster exercise! I'll go get it, and we'll read it together! So I ran to the closet and dug it out. A bit of a risk, maybe, because I hadn't seen it in five years, after all, but I wanted to know how many of my "grapes" fit my new man. Amazingly enough, as we began to read, EVERY ONE OF THEM FIT (well, with the exception of half of one, which included "gourmet cook," which he isn't, but he does love fine food and so appreciates gourmet cooking). So my friends, I'm saying that of 30 grapes, 29 and a half matched my guy. We were both blown away. Now I am a total believer, and I'm telling all my friends about the grape cluster exercise. My fellow and I are going to do another grape cluster now, with visuals of "I see us . . . ." Should be fun. And helpful. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEELING STUCK? LIFE NOT PROGRESSING AS YOU PLANNED? If you find yourself stuck in a reoccurring pattern and not moving forward as you had expected, maybe you should consider getting some life coaching. The whole point of the process is to first identify the goals you want to move toward, and then have a daily and weekly plan to get there....with someone on your side to cheer you on and do a little butt-kicking! And yes, it's not cheap, but most people make increased income one of the focus points of the coaching process, thereby eliminating that objection at least. If you'd like to discuss coaching at length, call for an appointment either in person or phone. 503-295-9777 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAURUS SPECIAL If you're a Taurus, you can get Bullish for a reading any time in May and take $20 off any reading! Call to schedule: 503-295-9777 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAST CALL TO WRITERS I'm still collecting material for the Writer's Block section of my website. If you have a story, poem, article you would like the world to read, send it along and when I have enough I'll redo that whole page in the website. Send to: donclarkson@comcast.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINALLY...A BIT OF GOOD REAL ESTATE NEWS Remembering that I've also been a real estate broker since 1969, here is a little tid-bit about the industry that may be good news for you. These are difficult times for home sellers so this may cheer you a bit! FINALLY ....SOME GOOD NEWS! (This information comes from Chad Parman, Bridgeport Mortgage Group, Inc. 503-726-1065, cparman@bridgeportmtg.com.) Here are some noteworthy developments in the last week: 1. Applications for mortgages to buy houses were up again for the second straight week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America's national survey. Applications for FHA loans to buy houses jumped by three and a half percent, and conventional purchase applications rose 2.1 percent. 2. The federal government reported that house prices nationwide stopped their slide between Jan and Feb and actually increased by six tenths of one percent. 3. Interest rates remain well under 6 percent with 30 year fixed rates averaging 5.74% and 15 year loans at 5.27% © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. May 6, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Out of the office the next several days but back full steam by the 14th. Networking Favorite Quote

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

IN THIS ISSUE: Ask the Psychic Coaching...For Free! More Messages from the Intestines.... Talk, Talk, Talk ----------------------------------------------------------------- ASK THE PSYCHIC (If you have a simple question of the psychic, send it along and I'll do a free reading here for the next issue.) I had a reading from you something over two years ago -- being laid off from a job I had invested huge amounts of time and energy on, having a boxload of medical issues of my own, and various other charming things. I got the medical more or less under control but the job thing is still not arranging itself properly. I *could* get a job in my field if I moved out of Oregon, but I'm not really inclined to do that. I like a lot of things about my life here -- just that income issue is a big problem. And I can't tell if I'm resisting this because I really don't want to be in that field anymore (having been pretty well hammered by this last experience). I'm not sure if that's a simple question or not. Dear Anonymous: "Territory." That's the word that comes up immediately when I go into my mental "workshop" to work on your issue. I think you need to widen your search for a job. I don't think you need to leave Oregon, or this general area, but you need to look well beyond Portland. Maybe even the coast? Or am I just missing my beloved Oregon Coast so much I see it in your life? But frankly, it does come up in the reading several times, so you ought to do some checking there. My pictures suggest you find a job description that gets you all excited, and when you check it out you find it's "too good to be true." But it isn't...and it does work out. I ask the cards what the near future holds for you getting a job, and draw the first card in the deck, The Fool, which shows a man stepping off a ledge, heading off into an exciting new journey. (Hey, there are lots of cliffs on the coast!) Then I ask, what do you need to know to find this job, and I draw the Hierophant, which is the intuitive voice. It says you need to go within and listen to your heart, which you are apparently not listening to at the moment. If you have a meditative practice, this would be the time to use it and ask specific questions about what you need to know to find this exciting job. Report in when you find it! And "don't bring me no bad news." --------------------------------------------------------- COACHING FOR FREE? My skeptical nature is ever mindful of the phrase 'there is no such thing as a free lunch,' so you can imagine my chagrin when I discovered I have apparently created just such a lunch. This week two strangers emailed to thank me for the free coaching they obtained on my website. I was actually trying to make a living with coaching, so I must admit this 'freebie' was unintentional. But what the hell....why not go with it? These two non-clients, and several before them, got the benefit of coaching simply by going to my website and downloading the coaching forms and filling them out. This is the beginning of the coaching process and it often spurs clients on to great achievement even before we have met. I encourage clients to download the forms, read them over, then set them aside for a day or two and let the subconscious work on them silently in the background. Then sit down and spend no more than 30 minutes filling them in. The questions are designed to be provocative and get you thinking about your situation. Often clients come to their first session saying one or more of their main issues has already been solved because they brought it to mind, made it a priority, and took some action on it. Case closed. Too much of this could put my coaching practice out of business, so please don't tell anyone else about this. This is just between you and me. But if you're considering coaching to help you move through or beyond a stuck point, try filling in the forms. Then if you still need help, and I kind of hope you do, call me! www.donclarkson.com -------------------------------------------------------------- TESTIMONIAL FROM THE INTESTINES (This won't make much sense unless you have read the previous issue of Psychic Phlashes wherein I discussed my intestinal issues. You can read it on my website under Psychic Phlashes www.donclarkson.com. Many readers wrote of their similar diet and body issues. Here's probably the most clever.) Dear Don - I think that you, personally, can affect people in a viral way. Infect. As in how'd you get inside my head? and later, how come you're still inside my head? and later still, I thought you were gone but there you are, lookin' more at home than ever! It seems I can't get over you. I'm glad you figured out your malaise issue and I HAVE to tell you, one Virgo to another, that I, too, have discovered I am having digestive/blood sugar issues that apparently account for everything but my unfortunate choices in men and it may yet be decided that those are included. Something about sticky glucose causing unnatural attachment. Who cares. Anyhow, I have returned to my body and noticed you were not at the welcome home party. Please account. xo Beverly -------------------------------------------------------------- TALK, TALK, TALK You know I love to talk...preferably when someone is listening, as in groups, classes, workshops, corporate programs, etc. I recently spoke on two national and international teleclasses, one having over 7,000 listeners! Many of them subscribed to Psychic Phlashes, so I welcome you here. If you have need of a speaker talking about something interesting but out of the ordinary, let's discuss what I can deliver. My last talk drew over 100 at the central library in Portland, where I talked about why a 21st century businessman would spend 30 years studying, teaching and using the Tarot and Kaballah, and what's in it for you. Speaking Schedule: Friday, April 18, 7PM New Renaissance Bookshop, NW 23 and Pettygrove. Speaking on 3 ancient tools for getting what you want in life, the grape cluster, cube, and visualization. Hands on and practical. Small fee. I know I've said this before, and still reserve the right to deny it, but this may be the last time I give this demonstration of the cluster and cube at New Renaissance, so get it while you can! © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. April 18, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking "FIRE UP YOUR BUSINESS Using the Law of Attraction" That's the title of a free report my long-time client Andrea Conway, a Law of Attraction Business Coach, offers to Psychic Phlashes readers ready to make money at the business they love. Andrea's free e-newsletter, Successful Self Employment News, published since 2002, is read by thousands of solopreneurs and small business owners worldwide. As you read Andrea's words, you absorb her unique combination of Law of Attraction experience and practical marketing expertise developed during a 20-year career in corporate and small business marketing (she's also owned three successful businesses). Receive your free copy of "Fire Up Your Business Using the Law of Attraction" as an instant bonus when you subscribe to Successful Self Employment News. Sign up here: http://www.successfulselfemployment.com/signup.htm Favorite Quote "The public education system in America is one of the most important foundations of our democracy. After all, it is where children from all over America learn to be responsible citizens, and learn to have the skills necessary to take advantage of our fantastic opportunistic society." George W. Bush--Santa Clara, Calif., May 1, 2002

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

In This Issue: Intestines and Tarot? Is This TOO MUCH INFORMATION? Website Update Attention Writers Ask the Psychic Column Speaking of Speaking ------------------------------------------------------- MY INTESTINAL TRACK AND THE TAROT Surely that title got your attention. I dare you to read on! There could be a lesson here for you, too. And members of my Tarot Salon, guess what we're discussing Sunday night? For over two years, I have not been my usual healthy and vital self. I used to lift weights for an hour, then swim one or two miles and then go to work. For the past two years I barely made it to work. I was sick a year ago for two months with cold symptoms and unable to work. It took me nearly four months to recover even most of the way. This past winter I again came down with a simple cold which lasted...or rather came back over and over... for months. During all this time, as per usual, I went to the Tarot. "What is the cause of my illness?" I must have asked that question ten or twelve times in the past two years. In at least eight of the ten times, I drew the Hermit card. This card is all about diet and nutrition and it 'rules' the upper intestinal track. But so what? I have a cold. Being male and being a Virgo gives me a double dose of stubbornness, so did I go to the doctor about any of this? Not for two years. Only recently did I go to my naturopath Judy Neall (listed on my website under Networking). After a series of tests, the exact nature of which discretion prevents me from discussing, I got the results which show that I am hideously allergic to gluten and dairy and one portion of my immune system registers a single digit 9, when the normal range is 400-800. In effect, I have no immune system. The gut is the majority of our immune system, and mine is so overwhelmed with what I'm feeding it that it can't protect me. But why am I baring my soul and intestines to you, dear queasy reader? I believe there is a lesson or two here for me, and thus possibly for you. One of the lessons is the power of the Tarot to tap into our own subconscious. There was something in me that drew the card and wanted to tell me to look at my intestines. That I took two years is my problem, not the cards. The other lesson is about trusting our method of gaining insight. Whether it be the Tarot, or runes, or divination devices, or voices, or feelings, or psychic readings....we need to do whatever it takes to test and trust those insights and then DO something with the insights they give. Hearing the same voice for two years, in my case through the cards, and doing nothing about it is beyond stubborn. It's foolish. It's wasteful. It's even selfish. (See Favorite Quote on the right.) --------------------------------------------------------------- WEBSITE UPDATE: FREE Tools to Use There have been two recent updates on my website that may interest you. www.donclarkson.com Psychic Phlashes: There is now a complete archive of the Phlashes for you to rummage through. There are lots of practical articles that may be of benefit to you. Coaching Tools: Here is a huge new section that has lots of practical suggestions for you to access your own subconscious. Previously I had the three tools I use listed...grape cluster, cubes, and visualization. They are still there, but now there is a large chapter from my never-to-be-published book Inner Coaching that has expanded information about those tools plus many more practical suggestions and tools. All yours FREE! --------------------------------------------------------- ATTENTION WRITERS! Speaking of updating the website: On my site there is a section called the Writers' Block where I invite you to publish your stories or articles. It's time to update it, so if you have something you want to get off your chest or off your shelf, let me see it. I like to choose things that will have broad appeal to readers. And you would be amazed at the number of people who read EVERY word on the site. I worry about them sometimes! But you could get some exposure for your ideas and stories. Email me: donclarkson@comcast.net ---------------------------------------------------------------- ASK THE PSYCHIC Another Freebie Ok. I didn't think anyone was listening, so I dropped it. Recently I've had three people whine...er...ask where that section of the Psychic Phlashes went. I think the recession is making us all conscious of our spending and here's a chance for a freebie! If you have a fairly simple single question that you would like a short free reading on, send it to me. I'll do the reading and print it in the next issue. I tend to choose questions that have a broader appeal to readers, so keep that in mind when forming the question. Also let me know if you want your name used or not. ------------------------------------------------------------- SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS UPDATE (If you have need of a speaker, give me a call and we can discuss a variety of topics I can talk about: The Tarot, psychic readings, visualization, manifesting tools, the Bush Administration....which is not so much a talk as it is a gesture.) Notice a couple changes: April 10, Portland, Oregon Central Library SW 10 and Yamhill, 12 Noon, FREE. "Why would an apparently sane 21st century business man devote 30 years of his life to studying, using, and teaching the Tarot and its Kabbalah roots? Learn what it can do for you!" April 18, Portland, Oregon New Renaissance Books, NW 23 and Pettygrove, small fee. Using the three ancient tools I often speak of: grape clusters, cube, and visualization. May 5, Portland, Oregon Hollywood Branch Library 4040 NE Tillamook St, FREE. "Learn simple ways to focus your mind power and energy to visualize positive changes in your life." © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. March 29, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule In office and phone readings Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Phone readings only Friday Networking Favorite Quote "There are many undiscovered ways to rebel that are honest and constructive. It is your job to find such methods and to change your goals if you are self-destructive. No one else can be your savior... Be joyful and painful and miraculous, never, ever dull. Fate doesn't control you, you do. Try harder. Please." The Modern Utopian

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

IN THIS ISSUE: Who's Your Daddy? Recession Proofing Speaking Engagements ------------------------------------------------------------------ Who's Your Daddy? One of the aspects of coaching that many coaches don't like to discuss...and some totally disagree with...is the coach acting as "butt kicker" or "parent." In coach training, most of the focus is on how to bring the client to their own understanding; help them develop inner resources to keep themselves on track; yada, yada, yada. But sometimes I think there can be a place for just being the "Daddy" or parent to the child in the client. I'm not talking about whipping the client or sending them to their room, but of being firm and unbending and pushing them to do what they are avoiding. A couple examples may help to illustrate. I remember the client whose intention was to call a business associate to set a time to discuss some troubling aspects of their business. It was agreed that this was her major assignment for the week. At our next session, she had not made the call. She was avoiding it. So we spent the better part of a session discussing why she was avoiding, etc, etc. The next week she still had not made the call. It frankly pissed me off, so I told her the session would not go forward till she went to my desk and made the call. NOW! "Daddy's upset, precious!" Or I remember the client so traumatized by paying her bills it took most of the month to get the job done. We discussed this for several sessions and I suggested she get counseling on the greater issue of her insecurities. But in the meantime, I knew she needed to pay her bills. And this is one of my great theories about coaching: We may indeed need counseling on some greater issue, but in the meantime we can also get a task done even if we are upset by it. After dealing with this issue for two sessions, in the middle of the third session I took the daddy role and said she needed to hang up the phone, spend the next 30 minutes writing her checks, and then call me to say she was done. I remember her response so well. "You're not understanding me! I told you paying my bills makes me a nervous wreck!" And I said, "But you can be a nervous wreck AND pay your bills. In 30 minutes you will have them paid and you won't be nervous any more." This was a new concept to her...and to many of us. We can be upset...nervous....avoiding...angry...AND get the task done. Sometimes it just takes a "Daddy" to push us a bit. If you'd like to discuss how I could help you as a coach too...call me at 503-295-9777. ------------------------------------------------------- PSYCHIC RECESSION PROOFING I'm not immune to the fact that we are in a recession and it will probably get worse before it gets better. This presents many of you with a conundrum. At the very time you may need a reading more, you can afford it less. Let me help a bit. TWOFER PSYCHIC SPECIAL Through March, if you have a full hour or half hour reading, I'll give you a voucher for a free reading to be given to a friend of yours who has never had a reading with me. You can get them to pay half or whatever you like, but it gives new people a chance to have an experience they may hesitate to do because of the cost and it helps me reach new clients. I'd like the voucher to be used by the end of April. Call me to set this up. 503-295-9777. PAYMENT PLAN: And remember. I never turn someone away because of payment. You are welcome to come up with a payment plan that fits your wallet. One client paid $10 a month for a year. Very sweet of her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPEAKING SCHEDULE March 25: I'm doing an internet radio call in talk show with a client. Sorry, but you are probably not on her list to call in, but I mention it here so you know I do these kinds of things in case you have an opportunity for me to speak to your group! April 10, Portland, Oregon Hollywood Library. I'll be talking about why an apparently sane business man in the 21st century spends his adult life studying and teaching the Tarot and Kaballah. Open to the public. Free. April 18, Portland, Oregon, New Renaissance Bookshop, talking on three ancient tools, the grape cluster, cube, and visualization. Open to the public for a small fee. Call the bookstore to reserve a spot. 503-224-4929 © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. March 13, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking Favorite Quote (A poem for Easter) What I Would Tell You by Regina LaPoint Rest on the curve of life, my dear ones, my darlings,/ Know its great telling. Soft is the down of the wild goose feather,/ Deep is the hue of the rolling mid-ocean,/ Sweet is the odor of pine on the mountainside,/ Tender the eyes of the children of God. Joy without measure is yours, little travelers,/ Taste it and see it and smell it and hear it. Music there is which speaks the life rhythm,/ Painting there is which tells the mind's secret,/ Writing there is which gives friendship and knowing,/ Love there is which is balm to all sorrow. It is all yours, my dears, take it and use it. Make your lives precious and rich with its beauty.

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

IN THIS ISSUE: Valentine's Day Backlash....? Men...Love...Integrity Test of Right/Left Brain ----------------------------------------------------------------- VALENTINE'S DAY BACKLASH Surely there is a reason for this, and I'm willing to blame the god Cupid. Something has stirred up many lovers. In the past two weeks I have had several in-office clients, and even more through email, overwhelmed with broken hearts. It's bad enough that this is happening to so many people, but there is an even more disturbing aspect to their upset. Almost to a person, they are blaming themselves for losing a lover. (Brace yourselves...this may get a bit sexist....) The most painful and pathetic broken hearts seem to be with the men. They blame themselves for being weak and spineless in the face of love. "How could I have been so stupid not to see her cheating on me?" "I've done it again...fallen in love with someone I can't have....an old pattern." Brace yourselves again....I'm about to pull out the Bible! Let me retell the very curious story of Sampson and Delilah. It may be different than you remember. Delilah is from the enemy camp of Philistines, and Sampson is the strongest man in the world. Worth remembering here. She comes to Sampson and tempts him to find out the source of his strength so her tribe can overpower him. He lies to her and says it comes from a certain kind of rope. If it is used on him, he is powerless. That night her men break into Sampson's room and tie him up with that rope, but he breaks out and slays them all. He knew who she was and what she wanted. The next night she comes to him again and asks the source of his strength, and he varies the story a bit and says he can be overcome with rope that has never been used. That night, again the men overpower him and tie him up, but again he defeats them. He knows what's going on. But the third night Delilah comes to him and snuggles up and again asks the source of his strength. But this time she whispers in his ear, "I love you." With that, Sampson reveals the real source of his strength, which is his long hair. The men break in, cut his hair, and imprison him. You know the rest of the story. My point: If Sampson, the strongest and brightest man in the world, is overcome simply by someone saying "I love you," the rest of us don't stand a chance in hell. I suggest to all who are beating themselves up over a broken heart, and especially the men who are ashamed of their weakness....take heart! You're not alone at least. Even the strongest among us is vulnerable. And remember the rest of the story. Sampson's hair does grow back and he regains his strength. He destroys the temple with Delilah and himself in it. A bit of an over reaction, perhaps! But I think the metaphor is that even after a broken heart, we do regain our strength and may even be stronger and more cautious the next time someone whispers "I love you." We will go on and our lives won't crumble around us. ------------------------------------------------------------ (Here is an article I wrote several years ago which should be repeated, since we're talking of a Valentine's Curse....) MEN----LOVE----INTEGRITY This is no oxymoron Ladies, take heart. Men, take notes. But first take a pop quiz: !. Women generally form deeper love relations than men do. True__False__ 2. Women hold on to lost loves much longer than men do. True__False__ 3. Given the chance, most men would be unfaithful to their partners. True__False__ 4. Men more easily obsess over a sports team than their romantic partner. True__False__ If you selected True to most of these, you just might be right. At least the stereotypes in our society certainly promote those notions, and statistically they may actually be accurate. But those are not the men I want to comment on. I know of a very different type of man who may surprise you. I know I was surprised .... and encouraged ... and more than a little proud of my gender. I am a psychic counselor with a clientele of nearly 3000. Certainly the most common and emotional topic is romance and relationship. I have spent countless hours hearing of tortured heartbreaking romance, unrequited love, obsessions over long-lost affairs, and all manner of wrenching pain. But to my surprise, the clients who feel these passions the strongest are... the men! Granted, the men who come to me are by nature perhaps different from the norm, making this far from a representative sampling. But they do represent a very real and present type which deserves our consideration. How to spot them: One characteristic of this type of romantic man is their deep sense of commitment and loyalty. John, for example. This unusually handsome, wealthy man with the perfect lifestyle also had a wife slowly dying of MS. I watched tearfully for several years while John stoically took charge of the family, the situation, and his desires for another woman whom he loved deeply. Never did he waiver; never did he 'cheat'; never did he lose sight of the commitment he had made to his wife years before. And when his wife did finally die and his potential lover married another man, he remained solid, stoic, and of all things grateful that he had experienced love from not one but two women. Romance is another way to recognize these men. Our culture would have us believe that it's women who get 'gooey' and 'mushy' over love stuff, but the men I refer to win this prize hands down. Two dozen roses on valentines day; portable hottub delivered to the backyard; emerald bracelet baked into a cake...'From scratch, too,' he proudly boasts. I have listened for hours to detailed descriptions of romantic scene-setting, convoluted plots of seduction, and handwringing over just the right gift. And what is all this romance leading up to, you must be wondering slyly? Not having sex! Believe it! I was dumbfounded myself, at first. But there are men out there who seem to want to court a partner, whether that be a woman or another man, and they actually want to 'get to know them' before complicating the situation with sex. I know dozens of men who have taken trips with potential partners, have camped on remote mountains with them, even taken them home to see Mother, and yet contain their sexual desire out of respect for the partner and the potential relationship. They want a relationship, not a one-night-stand. I know this sounds like something I heard on the Disney Channel, but it's true. Integrity is what it's all about, apparently. These are men who have found that some of the old tried and true virtues that worked in their successful businesses will also work in their relationships....honesty, hard work, perseverance, passion. These are men who rigidly hold to their desire for deep love and let nothing cheapen it or lessen it. And mostly these are men who have a strong, simple spiritual belief....although most would never call it that and some would wince at the word. They mostly aren't 'religious' but nearly all have a simplistic belief in powers beyond the normal range that can make love happen or bring them to the perfect mate, and they are willing to wait for that. They are usually successful in other areas of their life, know on a deep level that some power beyond themselves helped in that success, and they routinely and matter-of-factly assume that same power can be relied on in a relationship. So how and where do these men hang out? How can you meet them? Or would you even want to? Of course you want to! The challenge is to find them. They tend to be quiet loners, at least compared to the stereotypical bar-hopping man-on-the-make. They almost always have a successful career and are at or near the top of their field, so look up....look for the successes around you. They usually have a strong interest in something outside of work...community projects, service organizations, hobbies. They take care of their bodies. All of them. You'll find them at the gym, on the court, in the pool, under the weights. You'll recognize them by their unusual dedication to fitness without being obsessed by it. They have that nagging 'spiritual thing' about them, too, and this is one of the easier identifiers. You may find them in liberal churches like New Thought or Unitarian, and they may be in positions of power there because they rise to the top. But most often you can see them at new age bookstores, metaphysical shops that are not too far out, and even libraries. These men read, search, learn all the time. Many of them even....honest to God this is true...I am not making this up....many of them even write! Is there anything more touching than to have a heartsick man bring me a poem he has written about his experience of wanting love. And it's often good stuff! I used to teach poetry...I know from good! But remember...these men are quiet, often shy, usually loners. They will probably not make the first move out of that strong sense of integrity. They might rather write a poem about you for me to read than to boldly ask you out, so now is not the time for you to become hesitant, demur, or shy. Simply meet them on their own turf and make yourself visible and interested. They may be quiet but they are far from stupid and they learn quickly. Introduce yourself. Ask about the book he's reading. Work your way onto his committee. Let him know your interests, passions, successes. Be bold. These men are strong and are looking for strength, so show it however you can. And perhaps soon you will be partnered with one of these possibly rare, but certainly viable prizes! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ARE YOU MORE LEFT BRAIN OR RIGHT BRAIN? Here's a link to a curious site that will test your brain. I would treat this as just fun and not make too much out of it. But it is very curious..... http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Feb 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule It can change on a dime, but generally Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the office. Networking ATTENTION ALL WRITERS! I think most writers would agree with my experience in writing a book. The writing is the easy part. The hard part...frustrating part...daunting part...is getting an agent or publisher to even notice you! And again from personal experience, many of us simply give up and take our marbles and go home. We all end up reinventing this same wheel. We start from scratch learning how to publish. What a waste of time. There is a solution. One of my all-time favorite clients is Anne Loehr in Washington DC. She has developed a successful coaching practice and written and published a book in record time, so she is developing a coaching niche helping other writers through this complex process. Click on the link below and read about her program on her website. If you tell her you're one of my very special clients, she'll give you a 15% discount on the whole coaching program. (You could spend that money having a reading with me....) http://www.anneloehr.com/howtogetyourbookpublished Favorite Quote A native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one." The grandson asked him, "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."

Don Clarkson's PSYCHIC PHLASHES

IN THIS ISSUE: How are those New Years Resolutions? Miscellany Abuse of figures New Commandments ------------------------------------------------------------ SO...HOW ARE THOSE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS DOING? Statistically, I believe very few people actually make New Year's resolutions. However, the vast majority of us do start something new around the first of the year. We put things off till 'after the holidays,' and now that time has come. We get serious about our health and fitness; we dust off our resume and look for a new job; we swear we'll never spend another Christmas without a romantic partner. We have gone through the symbolic 'death' of the end of the year and look forward to new hope and new beginnings. Sadly...a large percentage of us will fail at our new beginning, and that will do considerable damage to us psychologically. Our subconscious tends to remember, and use against us in the future, our failures and shortcomings. I firmly believe that a single failure will be remembered longer and have greater impact on us than a single success. This is why it's so important to succeed at whatever your new plan is for the year. A few suggestions to help you succeed: Write it out. Seriously. Write out a short description of what you want to accomplish. The subconscious really takes notice when we write it down. "He means business this time!" Make a concise, brief statement of what you want. "I plan to be in a new job by June." Then make a brief outline of the steps you will take to accomplish this. Now go to your calendar and put in sticky notes describing what part of the outline to work on that day. Sticky notes are like magic for me. They keep me on task AND they are moveable! If I can't get it done on Thursday, I'll move it to Friday, but in the end the task does get done. Now go do a grape cluster on your new goal. You can get directions on my website under Coaching Tools. www.donclarkson.com Here is a controversial idea with two opposing views. One side suggests you now to go tell lots of people what your goal is. "I'm going to quit smoking this week." "I'll have a new relationship by June." The theory is that the fear of shame will help you persevere to the end of your goal. But the opposite view of that is that you should tell no one. Telling others will dilute the resolve. Other's negative views and 'helpful suggestions' will only lessen your resolve. "You quit smoking last year and failed." "Some people just aren't meant for relationships." Do you really want to expose yourself to these ideas? You decide. Finally, if you have started down a path of new beginnings and find yourself wavering, you might call upon a coach to help you. The coach is neutral and would never remind you of your past failure at smoking, for example. The coach would help you clearly identify the goal and its reasonable steps along the way. And the coach is a professional who knows how to give you a pat on the back and maybe a gentle kick in the butt when you really need it! Rather than fail at your new goal, call me and we can discuss, at no cost, what the coaching process can do for you. And good luck on this new journey! ------------------------------------------------------------------- REMINDERS 1. As we start a new year and you look ahead and plan your future psychic readings....you do plan them don't you???....remember that I have a Psychic Special of one full hour reading and two half hour readings in the year for $295....and $375 value. 2. I'm a talker. Throughout the year, I often speak at various gatherings. Twice a year I speak at New Renaissance Bookshop in Portland so you might get on their mailing list if you're not already. Other venues have been as varied as Catholic Women and the Elks club, not to mention the Big Foot Society. Yes, I really did! If you know a group that is looking for a speaker, let me know. I can talk on the psychic process, what I think it is, how I discovered it, etc. Or I can talk about the Tarot, my main love, and why anyone should be interested in it. Or I often give practical talks where I explain and demonstrate a grape cluster, cube, or visualization so the listeners leave with a practical tool. Call me to discuss! 503-295-9777 ------------------------------------------------------------------ FIGURE ABUSE No, I'm not talking about those extra pounds you put on over the holidays. I might be talking about those tight jeans I see you trying to get into....but no, that's not it either. I mean the abuse of statistics! The accidental or intentional misuse of figures and data that can help fuel rumors. I'm thinking specifically of recent real estate figures that were released for the Portland market and that have been totally misused by the media. Here's the best example that got me all riled up watching a TV news reporter last night. The figure, from multiple listing service, was that there is now an 8 month supply of listings in the area. That means that at the current rate of sales, and assuming there were no new listings, it would take about 8 months to sell the tens of thousands of listings. That's pretty normal. But what the reporter said was...it will take 8 months to sell your house! Wrong. The average number of days on the market here is 73 days...a far cry from 8 months. But now there are tens of thousands of people upset about how long it will take to sell, when they don't need to be that concerned. In this volatile economic time, rumors are everywhere and they tend to be very dramatic. Before you believe them, check them out somehow! Call me and we'll talk. ----------------------------------------------------------------- NEW COMMANDMENTS, from The God Delusion, by Dawkins Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you. In all things, strive to cause no harm. Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect. Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder. Always seek to be learning something new. Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them. Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you. Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others. Question everything. Enjoy your own sex life (so long as it damages nobody else) and leave others to enjoy theirs in private whatever their inclinations, which are none of your business. Do not discriminate or oppress on the basis of sex, race, or species. Do not indoctrinate your children. Teach them how to think for themselves, how to evaluate evidence, and how to disagree with you. Value the future on a timescale longer than your own. © Copyright 2003 Practical Metaphysics. All rights reserved. Jan 24, 2008 Subscribe to Psychic Phlashes now! Help us reach more people. Please pass this issue along to a friend. Tip: Use the "forward" or "redirect" feature of your email program. Don Clarkson Psychic Counselor Personal Coach 1033 SW Yamhill #401A Portland, Or 97205 503-295-9777 www.donclarkson.com donclarkson@comcast.net PSYCHIC PHLASHES is a biweekly Ezine that helps readers take charge of their lives through use of practical tools that break through blocks, allowing dreams to be lived. What happens in a psychic reading? Click here. What is coaching all about? Click here. Schedule Networking Favorite Quote Quote: "Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." Seneca the Younger