Great question, Paul. As I've gotten older, it's become very clear to me that we all have all of them. I know the Muggles will not believe this, but I really feel it's true. I've seen people who have shown no abilities suddenly have them, normally as they've gotten older or something major occurs in their life. My husband had none until he was at death's door after his accident. Since then his own gifts have emerged.
ive seen this too with ppl as they have matured more or been in situations of major occurrences in their lives. i also ( as i earlier stated ) feel as though we have access to all of these "abilities". just learning what they are or how to use them or understand them is the hard part for most ppl.
I believe sometimes people don't recognize them for what they are as well. I hear a lot of "it was just a nudge" or "I kinda felt like..." or "I thought I heard/saw/felt".
i think this is true for a lot of ppl. along with including some ppl who know they have some sort of ability. i think that a lot of ppl will pass it off as a "nudge" or "feeling" out of fear of what they are experiancing. its easier to downplay it instead of facing it head on for some. i think in a lot of ways its just trying to forget about it or let it go for some ppl. which is good in a way if they are not ready or have no interest in following where it may lead.
I never believed in "fate" or "destiny" in my younger years until one day i realized "fate" was in full control...lol..and always had been.
Ive always just gone where im led. its been a cool journey and taken me to a lot of places and met lots of ppl along the way, but until or unless you are willing to give in fully you will never know what lies ahead for you in this life. ive found if you pick up on ppls feelings, hurt, pain, or any other senses, its there for a purpose, if you accept that and allow the wind to lead you, you may be able to make a difference in the outcome for someone, even its just One Kind Word they need to hear...... sounds kinda silly i guess, huh?.... But that is how it works for me.
I also feel there is another kind of gift....some who don't sense things but are catalysts for others. Think of these people as "boosters" for others senses. I know of at least one member here who I believe is such a person. Just by their own energy they tend to trigger or boost other's clairs or sometimes even ground people who are in a hyper state of awareness.
i think ive mentioned before of the ability to project energy that is possible for empaths at a more advanced level. though some can also do this unknowingly at a beginner level, usually due to just not knowing...lol.... actually, im sure there is more to it than that ...lol., such as their attitude and clearness or purity... being a good person with good morals or thoughts. a good aura. but yeah i agree with this too. and think that they do have abilities, just in a different way than the more common ones or interpretation of them.