All About Teamwork!
By: Lynda Quirino
My first blog!!! Something new! Possibly a rant. Here goes!
As most of you know, this year marks 40 years that I have been in the paranormal field. I’ve worked alone and freelance, worked within various teams, and have been the Director of the Georgina Paranormal Society team since 2012. This field is curious, wonderful, sometimes amazing, often quite boring (especially on some uneventful investigations), and quite frustrating at times. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Anyone who has been in the field for a substantial amount of time understands the importance of “jiving” with the people with whom you work on an investigative team. There’s an understanding of what’s going on, what needs to happen, what doesn’t need to happen, and a sharing of information that’s vital in order to ensure that all are on the same page—that the team is a cohesive entity. When it happens, it’s magic. When it doesn’t, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Or worse. In this field, as in most organizations, a team is a coming together of a group of people who all have a particular forte or aptitude in something unique which is important, and which contributes to the success of the entire team as a whole. Part of the success of a team is also the loyalty each member has to the others and to the team itself. When that loyalty is broken, trust is broken, and it compromises the team cohesiveness. Sometimes, it takes a short while to form a strong and unified team. Often, a team goes through a few growing pains, hiccups and, unfortunately, disagreements or upsets, before it moves forward and morphs into the perfect coming together of personalities that just simply “work”. Once you attain that magic formula of just the right ingredients, it’s then that things do come together. Things happen. Things move forward with certainty and integrity. The GPS is that team. I’m proud to say that we definitely are a strong, cohesive team with “the right stuff”. We have the formula right, and we all work with such dedication, loyalty and integrity, that I am proud to be the Director of such beautiful souls whose curiosity and passion for the paranormal is partnered with the desire to help those who need answers or who are afraid.
Far too often, I have seen people in this field “bash” others for their beliefs, techniques, or simply because they clash in personality with another. Being in this field for as long as I have, I have had dealings with those who unfortunately have felt the need to belittle someone on social media, or who perhaps have had different views on a particular aspect of the paranormal and felt justified in shaming others who may not have agreed with them. This leaves such a bitter taste. Shaming others or calling people names is so unproductive, irresponsible and immature, it has no place in this field. We are all bound to disagree with one another at some point; however, shaming or bashing isn’t going to solve anything at all. In fact, it tells others much about the person doing the shaming and bashing. Being kind to one another and respecting each other is key to having any unity at all. And if you see someone being unkind or belligerent towards another investigator or team, please remember that that is not okay.
It’s important to also remember there are many paranormal teams out there, and they all have their own way of doing what they do. The fact that we are all different says so much about the nature of what we do. Is there truly a “right” way or a “wrong” way of investigating? Consider this: each situation, each investigation, is unique. Each case deals with clients who are different people with different needs. One team may “click” with a client while another absolutely does not. Some cases may require a plethora of investigative equipment which may be what the client would like, whereas some cases do not require this because the client is uncomfortable with any equipment at all. This means that some paranormal teams may not be able to help a particular client because their techniques are not conducive to a specific investigation. And that’s okay. Some teams do public displays or public events at key times of the year which require certain rules to be followed, or which don’t allow for the use of particular items of equipment due to the lack of space or other restrictions. This means that a team needs to be flexible and open to explain or demonstrate what they do in different environments that may not be ideal, but that challenge them in ways which allow them to be creative thinkers. Some teams are great at this, others not so much! But that’s the joy and beauty of this field: we are all different, with different talents and techniques that complement each other. It’s the passion we have for this field that unites us, whether we believe in dowsing rods, spirit boxes, or any other piece of equipment – or none at all.
When someone asks me what I think they should read or watch in order to learn more about the paranormal field, I always tell them that they should watch and read everything! The more they read and see, the more they are exposed to everything that the field has to offer. Some of you may feel that there are some famous people in this field that we need to avoid at all costs because their techniques are horrible, or they have egos the size of the Eiffel Tower and that just is a major turnoff. I disagree. I think people need to be exposed to everything in this field so that they can come to their own conclusions. Everyone has something they’re drawn to – a particular technique or a certain philosophy that speaks to them. That’s ok too. It’s the nature of this field to be open-minded and flexible in thought. Read everything. Learn as much as you can. Be curious but be kind. You will find what speaks to you, ultimately. And you will learn to love the different, the quirky, the scientific, the fantastical, the humble and (sometimes) the boastful. This field is all of those things and more – which is what makes it fascinating and so interesting.
So, folks! I’m not knocking freelance, but teams can be terrific too. I have done both, but one thing’s for certain, every team is different just as every person is different. If you’re interested in being on a team, please remember that! And if you do join a team and feel that it isn’t working for you, please just be honest with yourself and graciously exit to look for another team that speaks to you. Nothing is worse than compromising team loyalty due to grudges, differences of opinion or jealousy. A forced exit from a team is so much more difficult that a voluntary one. You will know if it isn’t the right one for you. It’s a feeling – kind of like falling in love. When it’s right, you know it.
Now onward and forward! Thanks for reading my rant. More blog rants to come! Hopefully, the world will say so long to Covid-19 soon so we can all get back to doing what we love without restrictions. Stay safe and well, and thank you all for your support. We all miss our bi-monthly public paranormal meetings!
Lynda Quirino
Founder and Director, Georgina Paranormal
My first blog!!! Something new! Possibly a rant. Here goes!
As most of you know, this year marks 40 years that I have been in the paranormal field. I’ve worked alone and freelance, worked within various teams, and have been the Director of the Georgina Paranormal Society team since 2012. This field is curious, wonderful, sometimes amazing, often quite boring (especially on some uneventful investigations), and quite frustrating at times. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Anyone who has been in the field for a substantial amount of time understands the importance of “jiving” with the people with whom you work on an investigative team. There’s an understanding of what’s going on, what needs to happen, what doesn’t need to happen, and a sharing of information that’s vital in order to ensure that all are on the same page—that the team is a cohesive entity. When it happens, it’s magic. When it doesn’t, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. Or worse. In this field, as in most organizations, a team is a coming together of a group of people who all have a particular forte or aptitude in something unique which is important, and which contributes to the success of the entire team as a whole. Part of the success of a team is also the loyalty each member has to the others and to the team itself. When that loyalty is broken, trust is broken, and it compromises the team cohesiveness. Sometimes, it takes a short while to form a strong and unified team. Often, a team goes through a few growing pains, hiccups and, unfortunately, disagreements or upsets, before it moves forward and morphs into the perfect coming together of personalities that just simply “work”. Once you attain that magic formula of just the right ingredients, it’s then that things do come together. Things happen. Things move forward with certainty and integrity. The GPS is that team. I’m proud to say that we definitely are a strong, cohesive team with “the right stuff”. We have the formula right, and we all work with such dedication, loyalty and integrity, that I am proud to be the Director of such beautiful souls whose curiosity and passion for the paranormal is partnered with the desire to help those who need answers or who are afraid.
Far too often, I have seen people in this field “bash” others for their beliefs, techniques, or simply because they clash in personality with another. Being in this field for as long as I have, I have had dealings with those who unfortunately have felt the need to belittle someone on social media, or who perhaps have had different views on a particular aspect of the paranormal and felt justified in shaming others who may not have agreed with them. This leaves such a bitter taste. Shaming others or calling people names is so unproductive, irresponsible and immature, it has no place in this field. We are all bound to disagree with one another at some point; however, shaming or bashing isn’t going to solve anything at all. In fact, it tells others much about the person doing the shaming and bashing. Being kind to one another and respecting each other is key to having any unity at all. And if you see someone being unkind or belligerent towards another investigator or team, please remember that that is not okay.
It’s important to also remember there are many paranormal teams out there, and they all have their own way of doing what they do. The fact that we are all different says so much about the nature of what we do. Is there truly a “right” way or a “wrong” way of investigating? Consider this: each situation, each investigation, is unique. Each case deals with clients who are different people with different needs. One team may “click” with a client while another absolutely does not. Some cases may require a plethora of investigative equipment which may be what the client would like, whereas some cases do not require this because the client is uncomfortable with any equipment at all. This means that some paranormal teams may not be able to help a particular client because their techniques are not conducive to a specific investigation. And that’s okay. Some teams do public displays or public events at key times of the year which require certain rules to be followed, or which don’t allow for the use of particular items of equipment due to the lack of space or other restrictions. This means that a team needs to be flexible and open to explain or demonstrate what they do in different environments that may not be ideal, but that challenge them in ways which allow them to be creative thinkers. Some teams are great at this, others not so much! But that’s the joy and beauty of this field: we are all different, with different talents and techniques that complement each other. It’s the passion we have for this field that unites us, whether we believe in dowsing rods, spirit boxes, or any other piece of equipment – or none at all.
When someone asks me what I think they should read or watch in order to learn more about the paranormal field, I always tell them that they should watch and read everything! The more they read and see, the more they are exposed to everything that the field has to offer. Some of you may feel that there are some famous people in this field that we need to avoid at all costs because their techniques are horrible, or they have egos the size of the Eiffel Tower and that just is a major turnoff. I disagree. I think people need to be exposed to everything in this field so that they can come to their own conclusions. Everyone has something they’re drawn to – a particular technique or a certain philosophy that speaks to them. That’s ok too. It’s the nature of this field to be open-minded and flexible in thought. Read everything. Learn as much as you can. Be curious but be kind. You will find what speaks to you, ultimately. And you will learn to love the different, the quirky, the scientific, the fantastical, the humble and (sometimes) the boastful. This field is all of those things and more – which is what makes it fascinating and so interesting.
So, folks! I’m not knocking freelance, but teams can be terrific too. I have done both, but one thing’s for certain, every team is different just as every person is different. If you’re interested in being on a team, please remember that! And if you do join a team and feel that it isn’t working for you, please just be honest with yourself and graciously exit to look for another team that speaks to you. Nothing is worse than compromising team loyalty due to grudges, differences of opinion or jealousy. A forced exit from a team is so much more difficult that a voluntary one. You will know if it isn’t the right one for you. It’s a feeling – kind of like falling in love. When it’s right, you know it.
Now onward and forward! Thanks for reading my rant. More blog rants to come! Hopefully, the world will say so long to Covid-19 soon so we can all get back to doing what we love without restrictions. Stay safe and well, and thank you all for your support. We all miss our bi-monthly public paranormal meetings!
Lynda Quirino
Founder and Director, Georgina Paranormal