Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Larry King Live Show on Psychics vs. Skeptics

I just finished watching the Larry King Live show with Sylvia Browne, two other psychics and two skeptics (one of the skeptics was a Rabbi and the other was a professor from Oklahoma).

Here's what I have to say (which may surprise you coming from a statistician who has a Masters Degree in Statistics!): First of all, some things can NOT be summarized in statistics and put in a nice, neat little box. Surprise! I said it! And if these skeptics were going to collect any data to try to disprove what these particular psychics do, then they should be collecting the data from the thousands (if not millions) of people that these reputable psychics have worked with and ask them if working with them has helped to improve their lives in any way, shape or form. Sounds to me that their work HAS helped many people move on with their lives. Now, I am not saying that there are not scam artists out there that are claiming to be psychics but are not. I am sure these people exist. But, like any other professional service we seek out, it is our job to do our research, get referrals and make sure the person we are going to for guidance is the "real thing".
There are many people that write to me and tell me that my Newsletters, products and speaking events have helped them to improve their lives. Who's to say that it hasn't. Ok, maybe I am not going out there and stating on the Larry King Live show that I am helping people improve their lives (which I would be happy to do), but I just have to look at my own statistics, from the people I work with, and KNOW that what I do makes a difference in people's lives. Maybe I am going off on a tangent here, but my main point is ... if people feel that these particular psychics have helped them move on with their lives, helped them to feel better about a loved one that has passed on, helped them to get more clear on what they should be doing with their life ... what the heck is wrong with that?

I used to have a physics professor who was an atheist. He tried to prove to his students that there was no God. He had many of us believing it based on the lack of scientific evidence. He also said that people ONLY believed in God and a particular religion because it was something to hold on to, something to give them hope ... it made them feel better but it was a whole bunch of hog wash (that was HIS view). Well, what if that's what believing in God did for people (give them hope, something to hold on to) --- is that so bad? Is that going to harm them? No. Of course not.

For the record, I do believe in God. I do believe in a higher power. I do believe that there is more to statistics and what we physically see in front of us. Our thoughts are entities. Our thoughts can create our reality. Can that be scientifically proven? There are many stories I have read about and heard that have proved that to me. But, I don't know if it's been proved in a statistically valid, scientifically-sound study. But I believe it. I believe in things that I can't see. I believe that we all have intuition and gut feelings and some people are tapped into that energy more than others.

So, is Sylvia Browne for real? Ask her millions of followers. Does she help people or does she harm people? My feeling is that she helps people --- just a gut, but that's what I believe and that works for me.

Remember, statistics can be used to prove things but they also can be misused to. I know this as a fact... there were managers and directors in my corporate days who asked me, as the statistician, to "ignore an outlier in the data" or to "massage" the data so that it looked "better". My answer was always ... "this is what the data says, there's nothing more I can do with it." Then, of course, it was the interpretation of the data that could change, depending on who was presenting it. So always remember, go with your gut. You just simply can't go wrong with that.

If you have worked with a psychic and it has helped you a great deal, then continue seeking their guidance. If you had a bad experience with one, then do what your gut is telling you to do.

I would love to hear from you if you have had a positive experience working with Sylvia Browne or any of the other psychics out there. Visit my website at www.MariaLesetz.com or www.MSJustaBumpInTheRoad.com and share your experiences.

P.S. Check out my Spectacular Holiday Sale on all my Lovin' Life Products (up to 50% off!):
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Warmest Regards,
Maria C. Lesetz,
Maria@MariaLesetz.com
Lovin' Life
Motivational Speaker & Certified Life Coach for Doctors
Statistical Consultant
(541) 686-1326
(541) 484-4146 FAX
http://www.marialesetz.com/

America's #1 Motivational Speaker & Life Coach for People with MS!
AND
"America's #1 Certified Life Coach for Doctors with Health Challenges!"

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