The bodies seven energy centers or chakras map our journey through life.

Bud, my husband and I went to see Wim, a medical intuitive who "sees" physical and emotional problems intuitively. He also uses a biofeedback hand sensor board and computer to get a color picture of the body’s seven energy centers called "chakras." Chakras are wheels of energy that start at the base of the spine and end at the top of the head. The computer reads the percentage of energy flow in each chakra. The more open chakras measure over fifty percent and are brighter in color. The weaker chakras are less than fifty percent and are darker.

The word "chakra" comes from Sankrit, an ancient 2,500 BC year old Indian language that means spinning wheels of energy. The holy men said each chakra has a different color and spiritual life-lesson. The first chakra is red and is at the base of the spine. The spiritual lesson is family and survival. The second is orange and is located in the lower back. The lesson is physical desire and work. The third is yellow and is located in the solar plexus. The lesson is power and self-esteem. The fourth is green and is located in the chest. The lesson is love and forgiveness. The fifth is blue and is located in the throat. The lesson is communication and motivation. The sixth is indigo and is located in the brow. The lesson is insight and wisdom. The seventh is violet and is located at the top of the head. The lesson is spiritual awareness and God connection.

A friend recommended we see Wim. We were both skeptical and curious.

Wim was correct about our medical and family histories. We were stunned.

He said with distress, "Niki your first chakra is very low—twenty-four percent when it should be over fifty."

I flushed as I knew the lesson of the first chakra is family and survival. "I felt abandoned by my parents," I whispered in a voice high with grief. "I know it’s stupid but I still feel I should apologize for breathing,"

Wim leaned forward, "To thrive you need to embrace your life force and connect with loving people."

He said my fifth chakra was also low at thirty-four percent indicating a need to communicate my thoughts and feelings. Amazed, I told him that I prefer to write as it is difficult for me to express negative feelings.

Wim said Bud’s energy in all his chakras was way above fifty percent. His heart chakra at seventy-three accurately showed his open caring attitude.

We liked hearing that our sixth and seventh chakras were in the upper sixties indicating lots of insight, wisdom and spirituality.

Wim showed me how my life-story has effected my body. I woke up that day. Once I understood where my death wish came from I mourned and let it go. My time with Wim helped me say "yes" to life, connect back with my roots and feel I deserve love.

Bud and I now have a healthy respect for alternative healing. Viewing the energy in our chakras has become a map for our journey through life.

When I think about my parents now I see green not red.