Nice to know I'm not alone in that!  Really cool things have happened like that, too--songs appearing on my iPod, for example, that I didn't put there, and that are completely relevant, or apparent explanations for things.  I love my life these days!  Sometimes I think I'm "bored" with my daily life, and then I think, "You're BORED?!!!  Are you nuts?!!!"

Doe

In the words of a famous yellow man..."doh!"

Very funny--Doe/"DOH"!  We're big Homer fans around here (especially my 9-year-old son!).  Some day I'll write here about how I came up with that "handle".

Hoping that my computer doesn't crash when I hit "submit",

"DOH"!

Doe,
       *smile* I was very happy when I found this topic at first, it kicked off my first friend on this board, of which I have been hooked on since, although I don't always have a lot of time now days to get on and read and post as much as I want to. But the things that happen to me are crazy and yeah sometimes life gets to ya. But at least I always have company even though people think I'm nuts for 'talking to myself'. Though if I have my hair down they just think that I have blue tooth. LOL I think that is the best thing ever.... I don't look so crazy for talking to people that others can't see.... or hear.... *sigh* it really takes places like this to bring us together to make me think that there is a real reason why I am like this and that I don't need to be taking meds or locked up or something.... *smile* They will drive ya nutty if ya let them, just let them know that there are rules and the ones that are mad at you, tell them that you can't and won't deal with them like that and that they are not welcome in your home. Then  use what ever blessing ritual that your religion has... it really helps to keep the peace in your life.

                     Nyte

Hi, Nyte,

Yeah, I really struggled with the whole "Am I just becoming schizophrenic?" thing for a really long time.  But it's been over a year, and I go about my daily life/work the same as I always did (maybe just happier!)--I figure that, by now, if what I see is no more than psychosis I'd be a terrified, stark-raving lunatic by now, but I'm still the same relatively boring person I always was, and no one seems concerned about my behavior (I do keep the talking to spirits on the telepathic level when other people are around!).  It was a huge relief when I finally realized that I wasn't losing my mind--mental illness is no joke, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Early on, when I was worried that maybe I was just losing it, I really started to panic one day.  I started talking like crazy to D.  (see my posts under "Mediumship"), telling him to PLEASE prove to me that it was all real and that I wasn't going nuts because I have a son to raise.  I was terrified for a few minutes, and then suddenly I felt him touch my head in this very gentle, reassuring way--it was a perfectly clear answer..."You're fine; I'm here."

I also found this, which may be helpful to others:
http://www.imagerynet.com/book/excerpts/visions.vs.hallu.html

And yes, I do believe that in some instances the "spirit thing" may be responsible for people losing their minds, especially when the people don't have any other support, or don't understand what's happening, or believe the malevolent spirits who tell them that they're messiahs, etc.  (They used to try to tell me that D. and I were Jesus and Mary Magdalene in previous lives.  Right.  Sure.  And if you believe that I've got a nice bridge over here in Brooklyn to sell you... )

Doe