All my life I have known little things: I see places before I go there; I know when people are going to call; I feel when someone close to me dies right before it happens. I can find people and things better than most, for I sort of know where to look before I start. For example, my uncle was shot when I was little. Moments before my mom got the phone call, I heard a gunshot and woke up screaming that my head hurt. A few moments later, my mom got the call that her baby brother had been shot in the head. The night my grandfather died, I got dizzy and told the kids I was babysitting to call their mom. They asked me why and all I could say was that I had to go somewhere. As soon as their mom was on her way, I got the call that my grandfather had had a stroke. He was gone before I got to the hospital. These are just a few examples. I often get really sick or have odd pains. My little girl (born 4/10/04) is starting to show signs of the same, and I would like to be able to explain things better. She is telling me about things right before they happen, and has started telling me this is her way of playing pretend. I encourage her by telling her that it's okay if Mommy doesn't see these things. I would just like a little more insight into what's going on. Thanks in advance!

-Christina

Dear Christina,

Your and your daughter are both empaths. Empaths feel not only their own feelings but also the feelings and thoughts of others. Even when you don't know exactly what is happening or you are far away from incidents, you may pick up on what is going on.

Often these are events affecting members of your family or others with whom you are close. You can learn from these feelings and experiences without having to actually go through them yourself. At times, it may seem like you are having these feelings yourself because when you're tuned in, they seem very real. I understand because I go through the same thing.

Let's face it, most people don't understand. Some think we're all just downright STRANGE, and we are, but so what? Isn't it better to be able to feel than to block that out?

We're not trying to be snoopy or nosy; we just know what is going on inside and outside other people. Just because folks around us are unable to comprehend our special abilities doesn't make them weird. Your daughter has a special gift and is going to become a great healer. We need more of those, for sure!

This is a huge responsibility for both you and your little daughter. Be sure to let her know that she can tell Mommy for now, but should keep this your secret until she's older. Both kids and grownups can be cruel, especially when they fear something they don't understand. You want to be sure to protect her from the scorn and disdain of others.

Even some people in your own family may judge her psychic abilities harshly, so it's best if you only share with one another for now. Since this is both a gift and a burden, you want to make the burden part as light as you possibly can for her.

Together, the two of you will accomplish great and wondrous things. You're so smart to nurture her in this way!

As an empath, so far you've only felt the pain of others. By paying close attention to what you're feeling that is negative, you can also learn to feel other people's joy. What you've done so far has been involuntary, but you can begin to change this with your daughter's help.

The two of you are much stronger empaths together than either one of you is alone. Find some time every day to sit quietly and play concentration with her. Use playing cards, toys, crayons - whatever works. If you develop a stronger telepathic bond, this gift will grow to be rewarding for both of you.

Susyn responds:

Dear Christina,

You possess a rare and unusual gift. The experiences you describe include all the hallmarks of a true empath.

Empaths are people who are highly sensitive. They can pick up the emotions, thoughts and physical experiences of others, even if those people are at a great distance. Everything emanates an energetic vibration; an empath is able to sense these vibrations and recognize or feel subtle changes by experiencing them personally.

As an empath, it's easy for you to pick up others' physical and emotional pain. You need to take some care or these sensations could start to overwhelm you.

It's important to find ways to ground and protect yourself so that you won't constantly be processing others' experiences. You'll also want to set boundaries with people who try to invade your space with their emotions, even if they don't know they are doing so.

How wonderful that your daughter also has this gift and that you're encouraging it. Individuals who display empathic attributes or who openly express their empathic feelings are often dismissed. They are told to keep these feelings to themselves, and in some cases, they may even be ostracized. With enough negative feedback, eventually empaths may try to ignore or squelch their gifts.

It's thought that empathic powers are inherited and genetically carried from one generation to the next. This could explain why your daughter is also showing signs of being an empath, and why you were able to feel and sense first-hand the physical ailments that your uncle and grandfather were experiencing.

You may want to do some research in your family history to see if others have had similar experiences. The more self-aware and educated you become about your empathic nature, the easier it will be to work with your abilities and explain them to your daughter.

Keep in mind that as an empath or psychic, you won't always be able to change or prevent the events you sense either before or while they are happening. On the other hand, developing this gift may prove helpful in many situations for various reasons.

It sounds like your gifts are already well-developed. If you want to increase your knowledge and move to the next level, there are resources that can help you learn even more, such as how to practice stretching your psychic abilities. The more you know, the more you can share with your daughter as she grows and her own gifts blossom.