"Hey, how'd ya know fuzz was there?" my buddy pressed me as we arrived safely back at our car.

"Uh, I just knew somehow. A guess, I guess," I muttered, covering for myself as best I could under circumstances.

"Well, a pretty good one, man. We'd be up creek if they caught us. Thanks. You're all right. We should have you around every time we go drinking."

Ah, music to my ears. And so my young career as a drinking guard began!

My friends, at sixteen, were older than I but still under legal drinking age of eighteen in New York State. I was fifteen and considered myself really lucky to be included in this older gang at a time of life when acceptance and belonging was paramount. And to have access to liquor through their connections was heaven for me.

I would do almost anything to please these guys and stay tight with them. I mused to myself, My newfound super-vision is coming in real handy. If we got busted for underage drinking, we'd all get grounded by our parents, not to mention getting in trouble with law. I've got to keep this good thing going!

On that fateful night, my need for approval prompted me to keep expanding this burgeoning, new skill that I stumbled across in line of necessity and opportunity.

As I played with my prowess as a night watchman for gang, I realized I was doing more than clairvoyance, "clear seeing." Each time I playfully sent myself out to scan scene for police, I was having a bona fide out-of-body experience. I didn't have a name for it then, but I sure knew I was doing it! I was right on mark every time I called a cop alert. My skill was valued by friends I valued. Literally, I was flying high!

Since my teenage discovery, I've continued to explore out-of-body adventures. And I always laugh in admiration when I look back on how God tricked me into developing my first natural spiritual ability.

(c)2004, Keith Varnum. All rights in all media reserved.