“And once the storm is over,
you won’t remember how you made it through,
how you managed to survive.
You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over.
But one thing is certain.
When you come out of the storm,
you won’t be the same person who walked in.
That’s what this storm’s all about.”
– Haruki Murakami
Five years ago I went into hiding.
For years, I was told by clients that I was the “go-to” psychic medium and life coach for hundreds, if not more, of regular clients around the world, from Canada to the United States and as far as Australia. Some of my clients only looked to me for advice and guidance for the past ten years or more. They gladly paid the fee for my services whether the reading was in-person, via email, or telephone because what they received in return was priceless.
Many would tell me that my insight and wisdom would stay with them for years, and that they would look back on their recorded reading or notes as a reference, especially when facing the huge annoying obstacles and lessons that Life has a habit of throwing our way.
I can honestly say that I was at the top of my game, and I was on fire!
I have been featured in several television appearances, including Entertainment Tonight (Canada), and my story and career made the cover of several magazines including OMTimes and Soulwoman. There were talks of a book and television show about my past, my career, and my gifts as a psychic medium. I required several personal assistants to handle my appointments with clients, my ongoing appearances on the radio, frequent live events across the prairies, and endless projects.
I was tireless and relentless for many, many years.
While managing my successful career, I somehow managed to raise three pre-teenage daughters (now ages 10, 12, and 18), and work on my marriage which was slowly falling apart.
Known for my down-to-earth and – so they tell me – sassy personality and sharp witty comebacks, I was sought after to the point where I had to finally just say “Enough.”
I needed rest.
It was time to turn off the spotlight for a while.
The inevitable divorce took a huge toll on me. Once married to a man I thought I knew, he totally blind-sided me during, and throughout, the divorce. I went in being true. He didn’t. The divorce devastated me.
To add to the already huge stress load, my mother passed away, and my beloved brother’s health took a huge nosedive.
Although I have been told that I am the epitome of strength with incredible control over even the most crippling emotions, for the first time ever in my life, I finally had to admit I needed to just stop everything. Normally always there for others, always being strong and giving, everyone’s eternal Decision-Maker, I had very little choice other than to emotionally withdraw.
While my mind was still strong and fierce, my body and soul were begging me to stop.
I care what others say. I have an ego! I’ll admit it. We all do. I worried that others would wonder why I didn’t see it all coming. But if I wouldn’t have stopped…everything would’ve blown up; my vital organs due to stress, and my personal life.
I care a lot for others too — but I care for myself, my well-being, and my family a lot more.
It’s hard to save others when you yourself and your family is drowning.
I, Barb Mather (formerly Powell) — the one many called Queen of All Psychics — made the decision to step down.
(…to be continued in Part Two)
