My Holistic Journey
"THE HEEDING OF THE CALL
By:
Alice Best, J.D.
The
first step on my spiritual path, at least the one I can most readily identify as
the "initial step", was a reading with a medium who resided in South
Florida. That was in August, 1994. Within a few weeks, I became actively
involved in the Miami Institute of Expanding Light (MIEL)1,
and served as both a volunteer worker and an advisor on MIEL's Board of
Directors & Advisors for the next two years. A major benefit was that I got
out of the office and was no longer a left-brained, stressed-out workaholic.
[Although I may still, at times, be considered a stressed-out workaholic, I am
no longer totally left-brained!] Of course, the most rewarding and on-going
benefit was the discovery that not only do I have a sense of positive purpose in
life, I have the ability and power to fulfill that purpose in a beneficial
manner. My entire outlook on life, from personal and professional standpoints,
was greatly affected in a positive manner. As I developed and tapped into this
new-age realization, the awakening came fast and furious. I no longer consider
myself a novice on this path, and it's exciting to anticipate each new phase in
my transformation process.
Personal level
On a personal level, my
newfound belief system enabled me to finally accept and deal with the deaths of
my two best friends. I learned that their presence is always with me, and we
still have a lot of unfinished work to do.
Late in 1994 when I first
decided to go to a medium, my initial intention was to find my life's purpose
– on a soul level I knew my reason for being was not to be a divorce lawyer!
If we are all here for a special reason, I needed to know what my precise
purpose was so I could get on with it properly and right away. I had become
extremely frustrated with the legal profession. That was frightening since I'd
graduated from law school only 8 years before at age 36! I no longer enjoyed
living in Miami, although I was born there and had lived there most of my life.
My patience with people, traffic, and the legal system had worn thin, and I
desperately searched for some divine sign that things were going to get better.
I had always believed in "life after death", yet at that point, I had
not yet experienced concrete proof in the form of a "sign". As a
left-brained person, I guess I just needed something substantial to prove what I
always “felt” existed out there. At the same time, I was also having a
difficult time dealing with my emotions following the deaths of the two closest
friends I'd ever had.
Sherril
In June of 1989, Sherril,
who had been my lifelong friend for 29 years, died of cancer at age 39. I now
know that her soul did not die, she just passed to "the other side".
Her passing was extremely difficult for me since I never expected her to not
recover from surgery and I really had no chance to say good-bye. I last spoke
with her the morning before she went into surgery.
I was at an American Bar
Association family law conference in Albuquerque, NM and had just finished
telling another lawyer about how the medium had brought me messages from Sherril
during a recent reading. Within five minutes, a total stranger walked over
wearing a name tag with the same name, spelled the same way. I had never seen
that spelling for anyone else before, and neither had this woman! Their first
and middle names, Sherril Ann, were identically spelled. To top things off,
Sherril's oldest son is named Sam, and this woman named Sherril was at the legal
conference with her husband, Sam. The new Sherril's maiden name was Katz. My
friend Sherril's mother's maiden name was Kahn. At that, we stopped looking for
comparisons. I knew my friend Sherril was getting a message through to me by
having this woman come into my space at that precise moment.
After Sherril’s passing, I
carried an emptiness within me for 5 years, which was not only from the loss of
my childhood friend but because there was a definite lack of closure. I had lost
my best friend of 29 years. We met in 5th grade and were closer than most
sisters. I have 3 sisters, yet Sherril was my maid of honor at my wedding, and
was my son Justin’s godmother. In 1988, she stood with us to receive a special
honor during Justin’s bar mitzvah. That was the last time I saw her
healthy…only 2 months before she discovered her cancer. She was also pregnant
with her second child. Sherril was a successful doctor, and she never knew she
would not live to see her two sons grow up.
Sandra
Then, just 3 years later, in
May of 1992, Sandra went to the other side at age 43. This time, I was prepared,
but not willing, to say good-bye. Sandra first became aware of her bone cancer
in April of 1990. We met in adult college classes in 1982, and she had been my
closest friend and confidante ever since. She and her husband (also a lawyer)
were very special friends to me, and they both helped to keep me somewhat sane
and focused while in law school.
Sandra was a professional
nurse. She did not share my beliefs about afterlife, but she agreed that if it
were possible, she would get some sign to me. My first two channeling sessions
were dominated by Sandra's presence (Sherril and Sandra came together at the
first reading). Sandra's husband, a non-believer, wanted proof in the way of
secret nicknames, etc. Sandra refused, and instead offered her usual advice in
the form of a gentle lecture (as she often did while on this side). She said
that it is not her place to prove to Michael that there is life after death; it
is up to him to believe. I received such specific messages from Sandra in such a
recognizable tone, that I knew that she was with me in the room and was
communicating from the other side.
Prior to the first
channeling session, I had not been dealing well with Sandra’s death. We had
spoken on the phone almost daily, even when either of us was out of town. Ours
was a strange friendship because we had few common interests, yet we were fast
friends from the beginning. This is commonly referred to as "instant
recognition" and is said to be the sign of a past-life connection. She knew
me almost better than I knew myself. As was my friendship with Sherril, we were
closer than sisters.
I now believe we have had
many friendships in past lives and have worked together as light workers; and
that we have work to do together in this lifetime, or at least the rest of mine
on this plane. They have both given me many messages through mediums, and I have
received messages on my own through automatic writing and clairaudience.
Since our communication has
been reopened with the help of channeling and other metaphysical avenues I’ve
studied, I no longer mourn or cry over my friends’ passing. For I now know
that they are not gone, their spirits are always available to me in thought and
I have felt their presence and response to my questions. My biggest frustration
is that I am unable to "prove" their existence to their families who
do not share in this belief, and therefore, they have not been able to
experience the joy of recognizing their presence and love from the other side.
Professional level
On a professional level, my
entire law practice transformed into a more caring and empathetic process. I
discovered, when I consciously surround myself with a spiritual tranquility, I
take on a greater ability to control highly emotional clients and cases, and
even calmly deal with extremely hostile opposition. These are generally
ego-guided, pompous attorneys, with frustrated and emotional clients. Some are
even judges with over crowded dockets. This is not easily said about divorce
cases and family law, but more often than not, stress began to be replaced with
satisfaction. Many of my clients were eagerly receptive to a belief that, if in
fact there is such a thing as destiny, karma, and predestined events, then it is
futile to fight over trivial issues. As a formerly left-brained attorney, I was
surprised and pleased to see more cases being amicably resolved without
litigation. Using fate as a plausible explanation for the way things are is
unique to this field of law, and is admittedly quite risky when suggested.
During my years as a family
law attorney, I was appointed as guardian ad litem for minor children and also
served as a mediator in cases involving sensitive custody issues. The insight I
developed through my holistic beliefs has been remarkable, both in my ability to
handle cases within the adversarial process, and in working out reasonable
solutions for the best interests of the children. I feel this is certainly no
coincidence that I was the person chosen to serve as guardian in these cases.
There is a higher source guiding these people to me, and, such source and force,
guides the entire process. I can fully appreciate and humbly accept that I was
merely the tool being utilized for this purpose.
The past decade has seen a
rapid growth of holistic centers. Film and TV media openly explore psychic
phenomena. New Age books and seminars have greatly aroused the public's
increasing interest in past lives, near death experiences, mediums and Angels.
With this happening around us, and with the resounding collective consciousness
being raised, my professional risk is diminished, and my awakening is
intensified.
Awareness
I believe I have had actual
inter-dimensional communications with two women who were both my closest
friends. Each friendship was at separate but important times in my life. We are
all intelligent and educated, considered to be sane and normal people. None of
us ever did drugs or clung to wild fads growing up. There is no other
explanation for me than that it does exist…it just is. I truly believe Sherril
and Sandra are watching over their loved ones and friends. And best of all, they
are in a greater place now and are at peace without physical pain. The only pain
they experience is the work that still needs to be done here our earthly
dimension. I believe that is their purpose and that is the work they say we will
do together.
Through the workshops I have
attended and presented these past years, I experienced a variety of encounters
with past lives, other dimensions, and guides. This is all so new and exciting.
It is totally apart from the person I used to be. I am determined to be more
tolerant with people and situations, and to be less impatient as I move along
this path. I realize each person is a soul who is doing and being exactly what
that soul intended to do from the very beginning. Each person, as well as each
situation, has a purpose and a reason for interacting with another. Now that I
have been gifted in being able to see things more clearly, it is frustrating to
me when others voice their doubts and skepticism. Each book, every workshop, and
each new person I meet brings a new revelation and a new experience I never
thought possible. I'm constantly searching for assistance and I know it is there
for the asking. My task is to merely listen, and to respond appropriately.
Heeding the Call
Here is just one example of
how I used the holistic approach in my law practice. A 41-year old woman came
into my office for a divorce consultation. She had just learned that her husband
of 20 years wanted a divorce. They had been college sweethearts, and she'd
considered him to be her best friend. After three years of denial, the husband
had finally admitted he was having an affair with a female co-worker, and that
the relationship was very serious. The woman in my office was obviously
distraught and was taking Prozac. She quite simply could not cope with the
situation which had just been thrown at her! They had one son who was soon
turning 18 and graduating from high school. She felt her life was over and
although it was a common reaction, she unrealistically blamed herself for her
husband’s actions.
During our initial
conference, I kept hearing a persistent voice, which I knew was not my own
thoughts. This voice merely said, "Ask her." It also refused to be
ignored, and kept saying, "Ask her." Somehow, I knew what to do, but I
was just trying to avoid it, because I did not know what the consequence would
be. Nevertheless, I threw caution to the wind, and said, "I'm going to ask
you something that has nothing to do with legal advice, but I must ask how you
feel about this." Then I softly asked, "Do you believe in fate?"
To my surprise, she said she did, so, I went out on a limb. I said,
"suppose that when you and your husband met 22 years ago, this was already
in the plan, and no amount of crying, begging, or counseling would fix anything.
And, the sole purpose of the two of you being married was to experience your
lives together for these years, and to have your son. Your son is now almost
grown, and has turned out well. Now, it's time to move on to the next chapter of
your lives, separately. If you believed that, would you feel better?" To my
even greater surprise, if not shock, she said, "Yes, I think I would."
Within two hours, she was
feeling better about herself and the situation, and her husband came by the
office to pay the retainer! We settled the case, amicably through counsel, and
without any hostile litigation or protracted expense.
What I said to that client
is what I truly believe. If more people believed in fate, perhaps they'd accept
uncomfortable situations without anger, resentment, or remorse.
My awareness came at the
exact time it was supposed to. In 1995, 10 years of being known as a tough
advocate, I began to practice “holistic law”. I kept my strength and
convictions, yet, I was able to show the parties and the other lawyers how their
personal actions were affecting the outcome. At the time, I believed that to be
my purpose in the second half of this lifetime. I have since discovered my
purpose is to utilize my legal education and experience to reach more people as
a public speaker rather than on an individual basis. My goal now is to teach
others how to regain their own power, and to take control of their own lives and
personal situations…without unnecessary pain and expense. I learned it is
possible to be more tolerant with people and situations, and to be less
impatient as I travel along this path.
With the help of my dear
friends, and, with the sharing of knowledge among the many new friends I have
met along the way. I have consciously chosen to assist in spreading the word as
each community's collective consciousness is raised. If we can all do that in
our own small communities, by focusing on the professionalism and manner in
which people are handled, this level of awareness will spread worldwide.
©2002,
Alice R. Best, Everett, WA
1. Unfortunately, MIEL closed its doors in 1996. There are many such spiritual centers all across the country…I encourage you to find one in your region that offers classes, workshops, and opportunities for your spiritual growth.
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