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Monthly Archives: August 2022
A Grave Fear
“It’s the safest place in the world to be.” So often I hear this when it comes to the reference of cemeteries. Why? People always tell me it’s because the dead are not a part of the living any longer and it’s impossible for them to inflict harm to anyone. Then why is there such terror in the hearts of the individuals who suffer from coimetrophobia? Hmm… good question!
Coimetrophobia is the fear of cemeteries. Those who live with this phobia say that when they are in or around cemeteries, they experience shortness of breath, bodily shakes and breaking out in a sweat, just to name a few. More severe cases even experience heart palpitations and a sense of temporary paralyzation, preventing the sufferer to move. In fact, some people are so terrified by cemeteries that they avoid them all together.
Now, this is not a fear that has manifested itself only in recent years. It actually has been around for quite some time. Fear of the dead rising due to superstitious lore has plagued mankind throughout the ages. It has given birth to such creatures like zombies, vampires and other similar beings. And thanks to Hollywood, such frightening legends have been given a form of life across the silver screen. I, myself enjoy a hair-raising tale. I believe it keeps the blood pumping and the senses intact.
I personally do not have a fear of cemeteries. However, one night when I was much younger and while out with some friends, we went to an old church and cemetery that were way out in the middle of the countryside on an old gravelly road. The night was solemn as the moonlight shined on the top of each grave. We all walked among the headstones in search of anything that had the potential to frighten a bunch of teen girls. Nothing out of the ordinary was seen that I can recall, except for a small red glow viewable through the church’s window. Keep in mind that this church was not hooked up to any electricity. It even had an outhouse located at the back of its property. So, how was it possible to see the red light inside an old structure with graves dated back from the late 1800s?
We never investigated it, nor did any research relating to the site. We decided to keep our distance and leave it alone. But to think of that night still ponders me to this day.
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Finished sketch of actress, Greta Garbo….
My finished sketch of the classic and ever so elegant actress, Greta Garbo….
Art is therapy!
Stay blessed, everyone!
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Dreams of Grandeur or Nightmares of Fear?
Our subconscious reveals our deepest fears…. or does it?
When you sleep, do you have dreams of grandeur, or perhaps maybe even something of a darker origin? Has your deepest fear ever been revealed in a horrific nightmare?
Here’s something that might set your nerves on end. The word “nightmare” dates back from Old English times when the word “mare” referred to folkloric demons that terrorized people by sitting on their chests while the individuals slept, causing them to have haunting dreams. These so-called demons were often thought to be incubi and/or succubi. The prefix “night” was later added to articulate the dream condition.
Scary stuff, right?!
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Instagram: @sheilareneeparker
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Intelligent & Residual Hauntings: What Are They?
(Originally published on August 3, 2014)
Ok, everyone’s heard of Casper the Friendly Ghost, right? You know, the cute transparent guy who floats around through walls? If all the hauntings were as adorable as him, then that would be pretty amazing and all the little kiddies wouldn’t be so afraid of the things that go bump in the night.
Well, let’s take a step back and face reality here. Some hauntings can be pretty frightening and down right mind-numbing. Did you know that there are actually two known types of hauntings? Yes, intelligent and residual…
An intelligent haunting is when the spirits can interact with the living, a type of energy that DOES have consciousness. These spirits may find ways of communication much like the ways discussed in my previous blog titled, The Afterlife ~ A Corporeal’s Transition, or the spirits can often communicate through the use of a voice box; a tool that is used to collect electronic voice phenomena (EVPs). Spirits of intelligent hauntings are known to interact with the living by attempting physical contact as well. For instance, spirits can be playful in nature and a person may feel their hair being pulled or a gentle touch when no one else is to blame for the action. However, other spirits of intelligent hauntings may not be as friendly and the living can experience a sense of malevolence and often these types of spirits are more negative with their contact and might even try to inflict harm upon the living. Many people do try to provoke this type of haunting and I strongly recommend using extreme caution because one never knows what can happen. So, be wise and be careful.
The second type of haunting is known as a residual haunting. It’s more like a supernatural experience that resembles a recording of past energy. For instance, like hearing footsteps walking down an empty hallway when no one is there. It’s believed that in a location where someone has released a large amount of energy or heightened emotions were experienced and the energy attaches or “imprints” itself. As a result of the abiding energy, individuals in the future may get to experience seeing a type of “recording” of these events. Some signs of a residual haunting may be the absence of interaction from the spirit. As if the spirit doesn’t acknowledge the presence of the living person. The spirit will almost seem totally oblivious to anything that’s occurring in it’s presence.
Another sign of a residual haunting is the energy that is felt can often be quite intense for the individual experiencing it, but this isn’t anything that should be feared. The energy can also be the result of the interruptions to electricity and electrical appliances. It’s also very possible for things in the immediate area to change. For example, doors opening and shutting. Once again, this is simply energy. The spirit is completely not applying any conscious effort to these activities.
Throughout the years, I have experienced both types of hauntings. They were very mild in nature and I never felt threatened. I’ve heard footsteps jaunting down an empty hallway and creaking down an old set of stairs. I’ve seen electrical disturbances when there was no accountable reasoning for anything else. I have even experienced the gentle touches…..
Have you ever experienced anything supernatural?
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Thought for Today….
If someone gave you a rose, would you admire it for its beauty? Or would you criticize it for its thorns? 🤔 Or, would you appreciate the purpose of the thorns and understand the protection that they provide the flower from harmful predators?
Simple post, but life is all about perception. Have a great day, Happy Friday all you wonderful people!
~ Sheila 💋
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Butterflies In The Sky: Joplin, Missouri
It was May 22, on a Sunday in 2011 when the town of Joplin, Missouri faced a destruction they would never forget. The population of just over 50,000 residents held onto dear life as an EF5 tornado plowed through their community. Horrific winds gusting of around 200 mph sadly claimed the lives of 161 people and injured another 1,150. Over 900 homes were demolished. People stated that the entire place looked like a war zone. What was the estimated damage created by this haunting nightmare? A shocking $3 billion!
Even though with so much destruction, countless homes were spared. It wasn’t long after the storm’s passing that tales of beautiful winged beings started to emerge. Children began describing creatures that looked like humans with wings of butterflies. The children claimed that these unearthly beings hovered over their homes as they witnessed the tornado whirling past them. It was thought that these beings served as protection from the storm. The town affectionately called them The Butterfly People. However, to many residents, they believe these creatures simply as guardian angels.
Below is a mural titled, “The Butterfly Effect” painted by artist, Dave Loewenstein.
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Another day in the life of Fibro….
“Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain around the body. The pain stems from a problem in the way the nervous system processes pain signals.
Fibromyalgia also causes symptoms like tiredness, depression, and mental fog……
Fibromyalgia is a long-term, or chronic, condition. It causes symptoms such as:
- musculoskeletal pain, or pain in the muscles and bones
- tenderness
- general fatigue
- sleep and cognitive disturbances” ~ https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia/signs-of-fibromyalgia
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia on September 29, 2020. At first the diagnosis felt like a slap in the face. I was kind of in denial because to accept it was to know that what I have is something that I would have to deal with for the rest of my life, and it terrified me. Initially I went to the doctor for my chronic pain and was hoping for a quick cure, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
Months of testing… Blood work…. X-rays…. MRIs… Specialists…. Physical therapy….. Chiropractor care…
Now, I look at Fibromyalgia differently. It has taught me acceptance and patience, as weird as that sounds. It has forced me to acknowledge that which I cannot control and to respect my body’s limits. I no longer push myself to do things, because if I do, I will greatly pay the price for it and my body will hurt a lot more the next day.
I still try to make the best of life and enjoy things, but at a much different level now.
Along with my Fibromyalgia, the doctors have discovered that I also have, degenerative disc disease and foraminal stenosis in my neck and lower spine, along with several other issues including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression and anxiety.
Each day is different. It’s hard to make plans at times, because chronic pain with fibro flares can happen so unexpectedly. And then there’s the nausea that can come at random. Even while out running errands I’ve had to pull the car over to the side of the road because the nausea associated with fibromyalgia has been so intense that it would make me vomit.
So many crazy things that make me appreciate the good moments in life all the more. Life is what we make it and no matter what…. Life is beautiful and it is a blessing. ❤️
My rheumatologist once made a comment about my positive attitude. He was like, “if you’re in pain, it’s ok to let people know about it.” My response was… “I know, but coming into your office with a negative attitude could bring others down and I don’t want to do that. I’d rather make people smile. ” My chiropractor and physical therapist have also made similar comments…. Yet, that doesn’t mean that I don’t get cranky… But I refuse to let my body get the best of me. I have all these conditions that I’ve told you about, but they don’t have me! Inner strength and my faith help keep me strong.
We are all blessed. We just have to see the light from the brighter days.
Much love to you all!!
~ Sheila 💋
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A Ghostly Perspective
This next post was inspired by a film that I’ve recently watched titled, The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia. The film is based on a true story and here is its description: “A historic Southern home’s new residents come face to face with a malevolent force.”
While watching, that was when it dawned on me that I was already familiar with the people portrayed in the film. I had seen them on other paranormal shows talking about their story and discussing the daughter’s ability of clairvoyance and communicating with the dead.
After I finished watching the film, it got me to thinking about ghosts and why some of them seem to be so malevolent. Perhaps their spirit isn’t actually malevolent at all. Maybe they just seem that way because they are trying to convey a message to the living. And after countless failed attempts of communication with the living, the ghosts become enraged because they have something to say but have no way of reaching the other side.
I know it may sound crazy, even far-fetched, but it made me think. So, by the time these ghosts finally find someone with whom they are able to communicate, they’re ready to unleash all their built-up emotions. And with the rush of feeling (and the fact that they’re dead) it’s easy to understand why the living can get so terrified by a paranormal encounter.
It makes total sense to me. Put yourself in their position. One day you’re walking down the street and all is well, then unfortunately something tragically out of the blue happens and you’re no longer part of the living. You’re now on the other side. You’re terrified, freaking out and you have no one to turn to. You try so hard to communicate with the living, but nothing – nadda. You try and try until one day your persistence finally becomes successful when you’re able to communicate with someone. But by this time, when you’re able to speak to a clairvoyant or whomever, you’ve got all this rush of excitement and that’s what scares the living because it becomes too overwhelming for them to handle.
Now this isn’t me in any way, shape or form, discarding all malevolent entities as non-malevolent. Extreme caution should always be utilized when investigating the paranormal because there are evil creatures/beings on the other side. So, be careful!
But the film did make me think and I wanted to share……
Get a copy of my novel, The Spirit Within on Amazon!
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Twitter: @sheilarparker.
~ Sheila Renee Parker on Facebook: Sheila Renee Parker – Author
SHEILA RENEE PARKER