I have a gifted bloodline where people in my family can see hear or communicate with ghosts. Sometimes it's a combination of 2 or even all three. Personally I only have the gift of hearing.
My first encounter was at the age of 6 or 7. I was playing hide and seek with my older brother and I was looking for him in my parents closet when out of nowhere the clothes that were hanging opened up and I was pushed to the ground by NOTHING! All I heard was chuckling and footsteps running on the wooden floorboards. I soon found my brother hiding NOT in my parents closet but in my closet in my room. Freaked out, I told my brother my story and he told me he saw someone he thought was me but it wasn't.
Another incident happened at a friends house when we all slept together in the living room. I slept on the couch near the front of the house while people slept on the floor. I heard a loud scream that sounded like a girl in need of rescue, or she was being raped or something horrible. I asked everyone around me if they heard that and they said no. It literally sounded like it was right outside the window. Only a few seconds after I mentioned it to my friends, all the dogs in the neighborhood started barking.
So recently, I discovered that I can hear people's thoughts. Most of the time its a song my sister would be singing in her head. Other times I would drive passengers while they sleep in the car and I can hear them whispering but when I look back at them, they are sleeping. This last one assured my ability. I was looking for a rubber band to tie my hair with and my friend said there was one he saw on the floor. He showed me and gave it to me. I turned around and put it on. I heard him say "I think it came from a chicken" and I looked at him ans said "what did you say?" he replied, "I didn't say anything." I told him,"you said that you think it came from a chicken?" and then he looks at me surprised and says "I NEVER SAID THAT! But I was thinking it."
I can't hear peoples thoughts on command, It just comes. Most of the time it comes easier when I'm sleepy. I know hearing people's thoughts is a no-no but how can I harness this ability?
PS when I sleep, sometimes I'm not fully asleep, and at this state, I can hear everyone talking throughout the whole house as if they are in the same room; knowing the plans they are making for the day, what food they are going to cook, recognizing visitors voices and knowing who is in the house. When I wake up I share some of my parents secrets and what they plan to do for the day with my brother and sister. Like trips to Chinatown, going grocery shopping, what they say about us, and most importantly what they plan to get us for our birthdays or Christmas.