Haunted South Paranormal Research  2007



8 Tips to a healthy & happy paranormal community!
By Lisa Abney Founder H.S.P.R.


I often hear a lot of people talk about the paranormal investigation
community with a touch of unhappiness. Which is a shame, because
really we are all here to investigate. Some of us may use different
techniques -but does different mean wrong?  After all if you have 10
Scientists trying to find the cure for cancer -ALL of which do things
differently, doesn't that just mean you're using process of elimination
to find the best results? So here's my tips to keep you or your team
on course:

1. If your in this for the money- there isn't any. Paranormal
Investigation is a charity, educational and information based practice.
There are plenty of shows out there- most of which have paved a
brighter future for teams to be more accepted within their respective
communities. Teams that got a T.V. deal & ect just happened to be at
the intersection of right place and right time. And good for them, why
not have paranormal investigators receiving a little moment in the sun
for providing a service for people who 10 years ago may not have had
anywhere or anyone to turn to or even a place to start.

2. Come together. If you are having differences in investigation
practices of teams around your area then try coming together first in a
friendly environment (e.g. BBQ, coffee house, ect.) get to know each
other as people first then investigators. Generally first impressions are
wrong, don't judge other teams for doing what you yourself may be
guilty of.

3.PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION IS NOT A COMPETITION -
it's not "survivor" . You can and will tear apart a group faster than
anything by making everything a competition. If another group gets to
investigate a hotel you wanted to investigate then be happy the
owners are allowing anyone to research the claims. Besides a
secondary investigation by another team could validate your findings
making your evidence all the more concrete. It's about the research
not the addiction to add another notch to your investigation belt.

4. Get out there! Go into your community as a team and participate in
community functions. It doesn't really matter what your into- there is
always a means to involve yourself in socially important outings. Fund
raisers, walk-a-thons, neighbor hood bike rides, zombie walks -
whatever! You'd be surprised just how receptive people can be -cause
everyone's got a story about the paranormal.

5.  Communication  Not everyone is good at it, surprise right! I
should have listed this first but hindsight is 20/20. Keep the lines of
communication open at all times. Weather it is with a client, team
members or other teams. If you choose to ignore people they can get
the wrong impression of your intentions and that is never healthy for
a team.

6. Educate yourself on what's happening in your field! Go to
conferences, meet ups and most of  all listen to other investigators.  
No one is the oldest and most astute investigator. We are all learning,
creating and changing the field when we glean from our experiences.

7. Research and why it really matters most!  Above all - the most
important part of what you do is research. If you are not prepared to
throw everything into helping your clients and team be successful then
slowly set away from the E.M.F. detector!  Research will be the
bread and the butter of your team. If your team is really good at the
investigation itself but slow to examine and analyze tapes, video and
instrument readings then you may need to re-prioritize. Sure the hunt
is fun, creepy and maybe even scary - but the most important part of
the investigation is your teams conclusion. Science is tricky like that-
there may be a theory that the house you're investigating is haunted,
but but until you can produce enough non-debunkable evidence to
back up that theory- it's only speculation.

8. Care for your members and family first! Take care of the people
who care for you - it's really as simple as that!


Pass this on! If you found this perspective helpful please share with
others, we are all working toward the same goal.

Lisa Abney  Co-Founder Haunted South Paranormal Research
        
              H.S.P.R. Articles
If you missed the June issue of Paranormal
Underground, be sure to check it out! It features our
very own Lisa Abney in the investigator profile
section!