I took my car in for service the other day. It was supposed to take about 20 minutes, but the universe had other plans for me. For you see, it wanted to show me something, and I was a helpless captive to the desires of the universe.

First I sat in the waiting room like everyone else. Shielded. Sitting two inches from another person but valiantly trying to maintain my space. I had a newspaper; the classic sign for “leave me alone.” I didn’t feel like engaging with anyone. I was only supposed to be there for 20 minutes after all. No time to make someone’s acquaintance.

But the universe threw a wrench at my car, and my mechanic said, “you’re due for the 120,000 mile service. We can do most of it here so you don’t have to go to the dealer. But it will take a good 45 minutes. Maybe longer.” Robble. But I acquiesced because I was already there. In for a penny, in for a pound, and the universe was surreptitiously tying my feet to my chair so I couldn’t leave anyway.

I decided, with a grand sigh, to put my newspaper down and engage with the other hapless victims of the mechanic’s shop. The kid next to me was reading a sci-fi novel. He was my first victim. All I did was say, “Man it always takes longer than you think it will.” He looked up, smiled, and started sharing his life story, as people are wont to do around me. I didn’t mind. I knew I was going to be there for a while. Universal tendrils snaked their way up my leg, tethering me further to my chair. Something was coming. Something important.

There was an old man with a cane and two hearing aids sitting near us. He looked like he was trying to nap. You see, because my car was being worked on so heavily, it backed up the entire line and the waiting room was filling up with people. I continued talking to sci-fi guy and gave him some advice to help him make a really important life-changing decision. I looked to the universe and said, “There, I helped this young man. Was that what you wanted? Can you untie me now? And can I get my car back?” The universe slowly shook its head.

A few minutes later the mechanic came in with an update, “Due to the position of your transmission this is going to take a little longer than we thought. Probably 2 hours.” Sheesh! I have things to do and was running out of people to talk to.

The universe cinched a belt around my waist and I saw new tendrils snaking their way around my arms, pinning me to the seat. Wow, whatever’s coming must be good! My poor car.

And then I saw him. The kid in the hoodie. He was coming our way. Was he going to enter the waiting room? I didn’t even see him leave a car anywhere. As soon as he walked in, everyone got shifty and the energy changed. What was jovial was now guarded. People clutched their belongings closer. Merely the presence of this hoodie was enough for people to start judging.

He was a kid, early twenties. Beautiful bleach blonde hair, gorgeous piercing green eyes, tan skin, super skinny, and he was deeply hidden by the cowl of his hoodie, his hands in his pocket. There was a light around this kid. Target acquired. The universe whispered in my ear, “Watch him. Carefully. You’ll know what to do when the time is right.” I was firmly pinned to my seat now with the gravitational force of an object launching into space. What was going to happen? Who was this kid? What was he going to do? What was his story?

We all sat there in silence. Then hoodie-kid got a phone call. He answered and we could hear at least one side of the call. Wasn’t hard to figure out what was happening. “No, Dad, I’m not going to make my fiancé take a bus to work. I gave her my truck.” “Look, Dad, it’s not a big deal. Nothing is going to happen.” “Well I don’t care if you don’t like it. It’s my truck and my decision.” “Because I love her, that’s why.” And the last thing he said was, “Tough shit.” And he hung up the phone. He was upset and sat down.

Now? I asked the universe. The universe said, “Not yet. Hang on a click.” I waited.

In a minute, hoodie-boy said to one in particular, “Parents!”

Old guy with the cane rolled his eyes. Sci-fi kid gave a polite snort of agreement but shook his head at the kid as if to say, “You should respect your parents.”

The universe said, “Now. Move in. Go.”

I leaned out a little, looked right at him and said, “Is your dad mad at you?” That was the key that opened the floodgate. “He’s not my real father. But yeah, he’s mad.” He then launched into his story, right there in front of everyone. The story went roughly like this:

“I grew up a rich kid in a great neighborhood in Los Angeles. My parents were both in the movie industry and I had it made. But when I was 14 my parents were both killed and I found myself suddenly alone. I was taken in by my aunt and uncle, but only until the inheritance money was firmly in their hands, then they kicked me out, knowing I had nowhere else to go. I didn’t care. I decided to stay on my own and be homeless.”

Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and perked their ears. He continued.

“I slept behind the gym at my school, outside, sometimes inside the dumpster if it was clean. I was terrified that someone was going to find me and I figured if I was in the dumpster nobody would see me sleeping on school property. I took gym class first period so I could shower and wash my clothes. I lived on school breakfast and lunches, and sometimes I begged for money or food from others.”

I asked him why he didn’t go into foster care so at least he’d have a roof over his head and food in his belly. He said, “I didn’t want to be a burden on anyone, and I didn’t want to ever risk losing family again.”

He continued, “Sometimes at night I had to go to a gas station and beg them to give me some food because I’m a diabetic and sometimes I just couldn’t wait until morning to eat again. It was tough. But I did okay, and graduated high school. Then one day I was sitting out on the beach and I ran into one of my dad’s old friends. When he found out I was homeless he took me in. And I let him because honestly I was tired of living on the street.”

The room was deathly quiet. People were rapt with attention.

“Now I’m 22 years old. I have a full time job and also go to college part time. My girlfriend has been with me since 7th grade and we’re getting married this year. She also works and goes to school. I don’t drink, and I don’t do drugs. I pay all my bills myself.”

At this time the old guy’s car was ready and he stood up to pay his bill. The moment he did, his cane dropped to the ground. Without hesitation, hoodie-kid rushed to pick up the man’s cane, and held it out to him saying, “Here you go, sir.” The old man looked at him strangely and said, “Uh, thanks.” He replied, “No problem, sir.”

As the old man left, he said to the kid in the hoodie, “You’re a good kid, son. I respect what you’ve been through and what you’re doing with your life.” Hoodie-guy said, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. You have a great day!”

His story was fascinating. I had so many questions about how he survived for 4 years on his own. Sci-fi kid got involved too, asking questions, and before long the room was simply full of respect for this young kid.

I said to the universe, “Wow, what an interesting kid. So, he pulled himself together and is living a good honest life. What do you want me to do with him now?” The universe replied, “Tell him to write a book about his life.” Awesome idea!

So I said, “Hey, you should share your story with others. Write a book about how you survived on your own.” He laughed and said, “It’s sort of funny you say that because you’re the 4th person this week to tell me that. I don’t know if you believe in signs but it sure seems like something or someone wants me to write a book. I would love to but doesn’t it cost like thousands of dollars to get something like that published?”

Ah, that was it. Now I knew what I was doing there and why the universe made my car so difficult to repair. I took the next 15 minutes to explain to him how to self-publish his book, how to find an agent, and divesting him of the beliefs he had about the trials and tribulations of getting a book published.

He was rapt with attention. He thanked me profusely. “Oh my god, you have no idea what you just did for me today. I had no idea I could do this or that it was possible to self-publish. I will totally get onto this website you gave me and get going on a book.” He hugged me twice. I told him he might even interest a publisher in his story and could potentially make some money. He said, “Oh I don’t care if it makes money. I just want to help other kids who are runaways or homeless. I have a warm bed to sleep in every night. That’s all I need in the world to be happy. People take their beds for granted, but I’ll tell you that after sleeping on concrete for 4 years, a bed is the biggest luxury there is.”

Sci-fi guy said, “Dude, you’re awesome. I’m never complaining about my life again.” I asked hoodie his name. He said, “Brandon.” I told him my name. He said, “I can’t believe I met you today. You totally changed my life. Do you believe in spirits? I think my parents are still looking out for me from beyond. And I think they sent you into my life to help me.”

I winked at him and said, “Could be.” I hugged him. Twice. His energy was amazing.

At that moment my mechanic walked in and said, “Your car is done. Let me show you what’s under the hood.” I smiled and thought to myself, “I know what’s under the hood. A really special kid who is going to change people’s lives for the better.”

Sometimes you are the change in someone’s life. Look for the light, listen for the whispers, and see the opportunities to help others. You never know what’s under the hood.

Book a 15-minute reading with Erin and find out what your guides most want you to know right now that will help you on your path.

I’ve been intuitive as long as I can remember. Around the age of 4 is when I have my first memories of using my intuition. It wasn’t until I was much older, though, that I learned how to access my intuition when I wanted information instead of waiting for flashes of intuition to hit me out of the blue.

Once I discovered that I could access my intuition on command, a whole new way of living opened up to me. It’s like having another sense beyond seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting. It’s knowing. It’s getting information that doesn’t come through logic or reason or probability, yet it’s accurate and helpful.

After I mastered accessing my own intuition, I trained to the point where I could tune in to other people and get guidance for them when they couldn’t get it for themselves. Today I’m a professional intuitive, able to relay information between my clients and their guides so they can get solutions to all of their problems, plus wisdom and insight on their path. I know for a fact that being intuitive helps you have a better life, but I know there are people out there who don’t understand the power of intuition and what it can do for you. So here are 10 ways your intuition can help you (yes YOU) have a better life:

1. Saves You Time
I frequently read for clients who chose a college major, graduated, and at the age of 22 or 24 realize they aren’t remotely interested in getting a job in their field of study. A quick tap into their intuition when they were 17 and applying to college could easily have saved them 4-6 years of wasted time.

A more mundane example would be the time my intuition told me to grab $40 out of the bank before picking my kids up from school Even though there was no logical reason that I could think of, I went and got the $40 from the ATM. When I got to school, the aftercare worker told me we owed them $40. I whipped out the $40 I had just gotten, paid my bill, and took my kid and left. If I hadn’t listened to my intuition I would have had to drive back to the bank to get money and then back to school to get my kid.

And this happens all the time. When you’ve got your intuition on speed dial, you save time. Period! Whether it’s the little things that save 20 minutes or the big things that save 10 years, why waste time when you don’t have to?

2. Saves You Money
If you know in advance that something is a waste of money, you get to keep your money or spend it on something more worthwhile. Let’s say your sister-in-law needs to borrow money for her business and asks you for the dough. You tune in to your intuition and ask if your sister-in-law is going to pay you back. Your intuition tells you she means well but won’t be able to pull off the undertaking. You politely decline and put the money in your kid’s college fund instead. Money saved is money earned.

I recall a time one of my friends told me to invest in a company he was sure was going to do well financially. Even though on paper it looked like a good deal, and even though my very smart friend was investing a lot of money in the company, my intuition told me not to do it. I was almost disappointed because it looked so good on paper. As it turned out, 2 years later the company still wasn’t off the ground and in fact had plummeted so low that its stock wasn’t worth more than a few cents a share. My friend lost his life savings.

3. Makes You Money
Just as having intuition can save you money, it can also earn you money. You can use your intuition to help you make investments, to know what real estate purchases to make, to know who to work with, or what company to work for. I’ve had clients who have made millions of dollars off their intuition. I’ve also had clients who have used their intuition to come up with ideas for a fiction novel, a piece of artwork, or some jewelry they were creating – all sorts of creative ideas can come through intuition and generate money for you.

4. Gets You a Great Relationship
I can’t stress this one enough. You can get intuitive insight on every single person you meet. You can know almost immediately whether a person is right for you or whether there is an incompatibility that will manifest into a break-up situation.

Think of the heartache and anguish you could avoid if, when you met someone, you knew they were a cheater, a beater, a gold-digger or an addict.

Think of the utter bliss of being with someone you love, and knowing they love you.

Your intuition can guide you to the right meeting with the right person at just the right time and place. But you’ve got to be listening and acting on that intuitive information. If you aren’t accessing your intuition, you don’t get the information.

5. Allows You To Help Others
You can use your own intuition to help your friends and loved ones. You will know just what to say to inspire, motivate, or assist them. You’ll know when they’re down but hiding it, so you can gently support them emotionally and help them out of their slump. You’ll know what they most need to hear to help them. It’s really a gift to be able to help others, and being able to access your intuition will allow you to be the drop of water that sends ripples of positivity through the lives of others.

6. Improves Your Health
You can tune in to your own body and know intuitively what’s wrong with it. I’ve done readings where I’ve told clients about health issues that could literally have killed them if they didn’t get treatment in time. After doing this a few times I felt like quite the superhero, out there saving lives with my intuitive “super powers”.

You can use this ability before you try a diet or procedure to know whether it’s going to work for you or not. You can use it to prevent injuries that would sideline you for weeks or months. And let’s not even get into the more severe health issues – intuition can be your own personal life saver.

7. Helps You Find Your Life Purpose
I use my intuition to make sure I stay on the path of my life purpose. I use it to tune in to my higher self and spirit guides and get valuable advice, wisdom, and insight related to my path, then I make adjustments that will get me where I want to go faster.

You can use your intuition to tune in to your life purpose and check in along the way to make sure you are still on track. Being aligned with your life purpose feels fantastic, like you are in the flow, not even needing to row your boat down the river of life, but instead letting the current pull you in the right direction.

8. Helps You Solve Problems
You can ask your intuition for help in solving problems. I do this all the time. I get stuck with a problem or situation whose solution eludes me, so I get quiet, tune in to my intuition, and just ask what I need to know to help me solve the problem. Often your intuition sees something you don’t, or has a piece to the puzzle that you don’t, and when you get intuitive information you can then clearly see what you need to do. It’s really powerful in that way.

For example, I was dealing with a difficult relative recently and just couldn’t figure out how to get through to them, so I tuned in to my intuition, heard what I needed to hear, and was able to approach the situation in a much better way so that we had a greater understanding.

I’ve also used my intuition to figure out what steps to take next with my business, how to handle my daughter’s issue with homework, and how to switch my diet to be better aligned with health.

9. Can Save Your Life in an Emergency
Stories abound of people who were in life or death emergency situations and heard a little voice in their head guiding them out of danger. That voice is your intuition. The more familiar you are with what your intuitive modality is and how you personally receive intuition, the more likely you’ll be able to access and hear that voice when you really need it. So the sooner you know how your intuition works, the better!

10. Helps You Forgive Others
Developing your intuition and being able to access it consciously will help you in any personal conflict because you’ll be able to intuit what the other person really means, not just what they’re saying, so you can directly address what they mean and not what they say. You can also use your intuition to better understand where a person is coming from so you don’t jump to conclusions or end up in a long drawn out battle. This leads to forgiveness and understanding, and less conflict in your life. When someone is yelling at you, most of the time all you hear is their words. With intuition, you’ll hear their pain, which you can address directly, and which usually has nothing to do with you.

How to Develop Your Intuition
Now you know how beneficial it is to develop your intuition. So now how do you do it? You can read books, articles and blogs. You can get an audio program. You can work with a professional intuitive and get coaching. There are many ways.

I invite you to come to my Intuition Development Workshop, April 28-29, where you will spend two full days learning how to understand, access, and strengthen your intuition. And you’ll have this skill and ability the rest of your life.

Book a 15-minute reading with Erin and find out what your guides most want you to know right now that will help you on your path.