Just because I like to have a sense of humour with my clients doesn’t mean I don’t take my work seriously. All joking (when appropriate) during sessions aside, I’ve trained for decades to be a reputable psychic medium, and I consider my reputation every time I pick up the phone or turn on Skype to help a client. So why is it some people don’t take my work sincerely?
Case in point: A fellow named Joseph called me a few days ago from California and asked for a free 30-minute reading.
“I’m sorry,” I told him politely. “But this is what I do for a living.”
“Yeah, but think of it this way – giving me a free reading will bring you good karma.”
I was stunned. This guy’s tone of voice was so demanding!
“Joseph, what do you do for a living?”
He cleared his throat, paused a moment, then said, “I sell used cars.”
“Well, think of it this way – will you give me a car for free?”
“Aw, man,” he said, somehow missing the fact that I’m a woman. “That’s totally different.”
“How so?”
He mumbled something about bad vibes and me bumming him out, and then hung up the phone. I shook my head, baffled, and as I replaced the receiver, wondering how someone could have the chutzpah to ask for what he did.
Sadly, it happens a lot. I’ve had people call and ask me to answer just one question. “For free,” they say, “just like the other psychic hotlines do.” What?! I’m not a psychic hotline! (Aren’t those the hotlines that put you on hold for the first five minutes (you are paying for this) then start with your session?)
A woman from Florida once told me that she’d ask me one question and if she liked the answer, then she “might consider booking a session” with me. I told her “No thanks.” I’m not a grocery store; I don’t give samples. She should’ve called a psychic hotline.
And how about the guy from Alberta who wanted me to send him both of the books I’d written for free. He said he was out of work and wanted to improve his spirituality. I congratulated him on his effort to raise his awareness, and reminded him that, at least in Canada, my books were in most libraries.
Then there are the for-profit companies that want me to speak at their gatherings or deliver an hour or two of messages pro bono. “But think of all the people listening to you,” many of them say. “You’ll get lots of clients!” Sorry, I tell them – if you’re getting paid through ticket sales, I should get paid for helping to sell your tickets.
I don‘t think I’m being hard-nosed. I just believe no reputable psychic medium or lightworker should devalue their work. (What am I telling the universe if I do?) We offer service, we’re not servants. We offer help, not handouts.
That said, I do believe in offering my service for free time-to-time. I volunteer at Spiritualist Churches, I’ve spoken to hospice and bereavement groups, and I’m always willing to help students when our time allows it. Several York University, Ryerson University, George Brown College and University of Toronto film students have featured me in documentaries they were making as part of their class projects. I do it not just to help them out, but to spread the word about how mediumship works, and educate them and their viewers about the importance of the spirit world.
And there are special cases. My husband just asked if I could tell him if he should pursue a certain person as a worthy business contact. “You want free advice, you cook dinner tonight and do the dishes,” I said with a smile. I’m always willing to bargain – with him.
If you have any questions or comments on this subject or on any other spiritual matter, feel free to write me at mail @ carolynmolnar.com. And please visit me again!