Why I'm Super Neutral About The Super Natural

I was raised in an environment where supernatural was normal.  We had monthly moon rituals, daily talks with our spirit guides, and crystal talismans as needed.  Tarot readings, natal charts and love spells were a part of my family.

Spells are like prayers, only we set them on fire.

I've had 3 encounters with ghosts.

1. Two Children:  I was 11.  I woke up in the middle of the night because someone was pinching me- I mean, pulling the skin from my ribcage and it hurt!  I thought it was my sister, but she was snoring.... then I heard giggles.  I looked on the floor next to my bed, and I saw the tops of their heads.  A little girl and a little boy, like 2 or 3 years old, sitting on the floor against my bed, whispering to each other.  Well, I was scared!  I pulled the covers over my head and went back to sleep.  Then I dreamed about those kids.  I saw them with their mother in a Spanish speaking country, but did not learn anything about their demise or their reason for visiting me.  My mother conjectured that they were just passing through, or perhaps connected to me from another life.  But we'll never know!

2. Celicia: My mom's best friend died when I was 14.  A few days later, my sister and I were in our room playing cards, when suddenly the radio dial started changing the station!  Then there was tapping on the wall, right next to us!  Of course, we were all like wtf!  A couple minutes later, our mom came into the room and said, "Celicia says she's sorry, she didn't mean to scare you!"

3. Larry Carter: One of my high school besties was killed by a drunk driver my sophomore year, and he ghosted me twice.  The first time was before I even found out he had died.  I woke up in the middle of the night because someone was sitting on my bed.  The heat and the weight of the bed sinking down by my knees was indisputable, but when I opened my eyes I saw nothing.  When I tried to go back to sleep, I felt a hand wiping my hair out of my face.  I wasn't scared this time, but I didn't know who it was!  Until I got the call the next morning, then it made sense.  My second visit from Larry was the night of his funeral.  As I was trying to go to sleep, he swooped in and yelled, "Hey, Nance!" playfully into my ear, and then he was gone.

This would be enough for some people to say they believe in ghosts with 100% certainty, but I hesitate to commit to that belief.  "Ghosts are real" as a rule can't be proved.  Did I experience those encounters?  Yes!  But like Jodie Foster said at the end of Contact, I'm a scientist, so I wouldn't believe me, either!

I'm smart enough to know this shit's crazy.....

If you're not willing to abandon beliefs you learned growing up, they could prevent you from understanding and accepting what is actually true.  

To be open-minded and fair, you have to be willing to accept that you don't already know.  

To do that, you have to detach yourself emotionally from your family's beliefs and traditions, and that is incredibly difficult. 

In conclusion: 

Knowing and believing are not the same thing.

Knowing leads to medical miracles and technology.... 

Believing leads to racism and suicide bombers.... 

One is good for all, the other is only good for separatist assholes. 

You can't have a super knowledgable head without a super neutral heart.

 And don't cast spells near a smoke detector.  Seriously.