iGood Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

In my last personal post I mentioned a book by Tosha Silver that has resonated with me so deeply that I'm about  to start reading it again. Anyway...

On May 19th we headed to SC for a high school graduation and long weekend with my Honey's family. I love reading while on vacation, (I read these two last summer) so, I decided to buy Tosha Silver's other books, Outrageous Openenss and Change Me Prayers. 

Outrageous Openenss is the book Tosha wrote after being bedridden for 3 years due to adrenal failure. Despite being a little disappointed that she didn't tell more of that story in the book, I enjoyed it immensely. Change Me Prayers is comprised of 70 personal stories and prayers that coincide with each situation and reminds me of Illuminata by Marianne Williamson which I think I'll pull off the shelf soon, and go through one more time.

In all of her books, Tosha mentions how the work of Florence Scovel Shinn helped her open to God or The Devine so, of course I had to grab a copy of those too LOL!

The Early Works of Florence Scovel Shinn, reminds me of Catherine Ponder - which makes sense because according to my research, Catherine was "deeply influenced" by Shinn's work. Anyway, this book is a compilation of all 5 of Florence's books and, at $0.51 a bargain!

What I love most about these metaphysical writers are the biblical references and how their understanding and interpretation of scripture resonates so much with what I believe when I say, "God is bigger than the boxes we put Him in." See THIS Post.

​I hope you enjoy hearing about my reading experiences while on vacation and that you'll check out some of these authors.

Until next time take care and God Bless.
PamT

Good Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog! I mentioned quite a while back that I opened this space to friends to share their spiritual insights. Jamie has shared with us before and I believe you'll enjoy this post as well. Take it away, Jamie...

Thanks, Pam. I shared this in my newsletter back in January and am thrilled to share with your readers today.
I’d just stepped out of the shower when something caught my eye. Over in the corner, a large plant atop a corner stand appeared to be vibrating. I’d heard something "pop," and as I looked up, I could see one of the palm stalks vibrating back and forth.

Early last spring, I’d brought home a beautiful flowering Rio plant with palm fronds poking up through the center. The bright red, bell-shaped flowers had caught my eye, and I knew I had to have it. Hubby chided me for paying so much for a plant that wasn’t expected to live in our moderate climate. "We’d agreed," he said, "to only buy perennials."

Throughout our very hot summer, I kept the Rio watered, and it thrived. Each time I walked past it, I’d smile. It was just gorgeous. All too soon, fall arrived. Hubby asked me if I planned to just let it die or if I would be taking it inside?

To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I’d grown used to the first frosts of fall browning and weakening our plants that would soon be buried beneath several feet of snow. I had no idea where I might put this large plant that now stood about 50" tall in a pot 10" round.

Together, we managed to get it into the house, find a receptacle large enough to hold the outdoor plastic pot, and one that miraculously seemed to just fit atop the aforementioned stand in my bathroom. I figured it would be warm enough there since that room had its own dedicated baseboard heater, and that the steam heat from my showers would also be beneficial for its longevity through the long, cold winter.

​The first month took a hard toll on the Rio. It may have been nipped by an early frost. One by one, all of the remaining red flowers found their way to my bathroom floor, my toilet seat, and other nearby places. I cut the Rio back, hoping to give it as much energy as possible to preserve itself. Still, a few weeks in, I began to fear it didn’t have enough light.

We purchased some plant lights, set a timer for them to turn on and off, and waited and hoped that with proper watering, encouraging daily peptalks, and a couple of plant food sticks, it would revive itself. 

And it did! Although I saw no new blooms, tiny tendrils began stretching out for the plant lights and the window. I encouraged her to hold steady despite the bitter cold I felt certain she could feel being near a window. I also knew the lack of sunlight in what has been a grey, snow-filled winter made a difference as well.

To be honest, I’d pretty much ignored the palm fronds through all this. Several had browned along the top edges way before we brought the Rio inside, and, being that they nearly touched the ceiling, I’d considered cropping them back, but hadn’t, mostly because they’d be hard for me to reach.

Looking at the vibrating stalk, I realized that, without my noticing, this new palm leaf had grown double its previous size. The "pop" was it unsticking itself from the stalk so it could now unfurl itself into a full-size new leaf. As it reached its full unwound width, I noticed a tiny hole at the top. I then realized what I had heard "pop" as it freed itself from its winding. How much energy must it have unleashed to begin this amazing process?

I guess I am a child at heart, as this whole thing has utterly fascinated me. Each time I walk into the bathroom, I check to see how much further it has unwound itself. At first, just about 1/2", and daily, an inch or so more. This, despite being quite close to its neighboring stalk, which doesn’t seem to hinder its unveiling. It somehow has the energy to pull itself past the other as it continues its fantastic opening.

Despite my husband reminding me that "not everything has to mean something," I kind of like the idea that my Rio and company are "turning over a new leaf." It reminds me that as I move forward into new pathways and adventures, that, despite having dropped its flowers, fought to survive with inappropriate light, and facing colder than the norm temperatures, my Rio is growing, so I must be too.

There are times when we don’t always see the changes and growth we are stepping into until they are smack-dab in front of us. Yet, here is a sign that even if conditions aren’t optimal, we definitely are. The phrase, "grow where you are planted," surely fits here as my Rio shows me just how natural it is to turn over a new leaf. 

​Jamie’s passion is assisting those seeking relief from grief, pain, and strife, while empowering them to follow their heart and intuition. For thirty years, she has taught clients how to transform their lives by listening to their soul weep and their body groan. Jamie is a certified metaphysician through Lily Dale’s prestigious Fellowships of the Spirit. She’s the author of twelve books, including her Marvelous Messages™ series.

Good Morning and Welcome back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

When I began this blog my intention was to share with you books, spiritual teachers and lessons I've learned throught my life and spiritual quest.

We are all on a journey to remember WHO and WHOSE we are. Meaning, to come into the full realization that we ARE God's children. 

It is my belief that EVERYONE is God's child. 

Now, I know what the bible says and what's been taught to us over the last two-thousand-plus years - but in all reality what we've been taught is not that old. The bible as we know it, came into being in the 4th century AD - but I'm not going to get into a debate about all that.

There is enough of that going on and all it does is cause "discord among the bretheren" which is an abomination to God.

If you've followed me for long, you know that I read all sorts of books in my quest to become more like God. More aligned with God's true nature which is Love and more open in my thinking.

The book I'm sharing with you today is one I have already read three times since I purchased it on March 4th. 

It is that deep and it is not only about money.

Ms. Silver outlines an eight-week plan to help us realize that, "it's ALL God's money." In fact, everything we have belongs to God and that we can live in peace knowing that all of our (true) needs are abundantly met in amazing ways.

She gives us 5-steps to begin our practice and then goes deeper into each process/practice until we completely surrender every thing to God and are fully guided by Him.

I've been a student of the Law of Attraction / the Law of Sowing and Reaping for decades and I know how powerful the mind is for "creating your reality," but let me tell you, this book gives you full permission to let all of that mindset and identity work go and just BE in alignment with the Spirit of God within you and allow this unity to transform your life.

No more vision boards. No more affirmations - although PLENTY of prayers! No more trying to feel like it has already happened, or you've already received whatever 'it' is when you have no clue how that should feel!

Simply Surrender Every Thing. 

One thing that really grabbed me was the concept of being an "old soul." Ms. Silver says to stop reading or listening to anything about "getting more, having more or being more. Because if you've tried and tried to get more money and found this hasn't worked, you are NOT a failure. You just might be an old soul."

She says that being an old soul means that you are born to align with Love's will and serve something "beyond the ego" and that as you shift from demanding and chasing, abundance will come through you.

I could go on and on about the nuggets of gold in this book, but I'll just say one more thing...

Before you purchase It's Not Your Money, please know that Ms. Silver uses various terminology for God (EX: God/Lord/Divine/He/She/Infinite Goodness/LOVE/Flow/Shakti) stating that the name or gender you use should be personal and comforting and is simply a term for what is "incomparable and unnamable."

If this bothers you, don't waste your money.

BUT if you can let go of all preconceived notions of Who/What God's Name is and read this with an open heart and mind, this book will change your life.

I mean seriously, even the bible has over 100 names for God!

I plan to do more posts on how my life has transformed by reading It's Not Your Money, but for now I wanted to introduce it to you.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT

Good Morning from my soul's happy place and home-away-from-home, Bandera, TX!

I drove up on Wednesday the 29th and words can't express how ecstatic I am to be here once again. I've written about how much this place to me in previous posts on what I'm now calling my "book" blog. You can find them here and here so I won't go into much about that now. **PLEASE NOTE: The Sliver Spur Guest Ranch mentioned in these two posts is not operating at the same capacity so if you go and read them, do so to understand on how much I LOVE and Treasure Bandera.** 

​Now on to our guest post...

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build through consistent action and self-trust. Whether you’re pursuing personal goals, advancing your career, or seeking more joy in everyday life, confidence acts as both your foundation and your amplifier. This article explores realistic steps you can take right now to build confidence, achieve meaningful goals, and create a life that feels both successful and satisfying.
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TL;DR

• Confidence grows from doing, not waiting.
• Set small, achievable goals and celebrate progress.
• Surround yourself with people who uplift you.
• Learn continuously — both from wins and setbacks.
• Use simple tools and rituals to stay organized, motivated, and connected.

​The Confidence-Growth Loop

• Problem: Self-doubt limits action and momentum.
• Solution: Build confidence through micro-actions — small wins compound faster than waiting for motivation.
• Result: Over time, you develop evidence that you can trust yourself, which fuels greater achievement.

​Step Action Why It Matters

1 Identify one small win you can achieve this week~Builds momentum and trust
2 Write down your top 3 strengths~Reinforces positive self-image
3 Schedule 10 minutes a day for focused action~Creates consistency
4 Reflect on one success before bed~Builds gratitude and awareness
5 Ask for feedback from someone you trust~Expands self-awareness and growth

How to Build Confidence Step by Step

Step 1: Start Small and Stay ConsistentConfidence thrives on repetition. Choose one small daily habit — journaling, walking, or practicing a skill — and track it. Tools like Todoist can help you stay consistent.

Step 2: Learn and Level UpGo back to school, take a course, or invest in a skill upgrade that aligns with your goals. Continuous learning strengthens self-worth and future readiness. If you’re considering the healthcare field, here’s a good option to earn an online degree and make a real difference in people’s lives.

Step 3: Embrace Mistakes as LearningFailure isn’t a signal to stop; it’s a signal to adjust. Keep a “learning log” to record lessons from setbacks — much like the Notion Template Gallery offers structured journaling ideas to track growth.

Step 4: Connect with Supportive PeopleConfidence is contagious. Invite friends over for a dinner or casual gathering — spending time with people who uplift you boosts your sense of belonging and joy. You can create beautiful invites with invitation maker tools — customize a free template with your own fonts, colors, and photos to make it personal and fun.

Step 5: Reward Effort, Not Just ResultsConfidence strengthens when effort is celebrated. Treat yourself after completing a challenge — even something small like a coffee at your favorite café or trying a mindfulness app like Headspace.

Confidence Builders in Daily Life
Simple ways to practice confidence daily:

• Speak kindly to yourself — self-talk shapes identity.
• Move your body — exercise builds physical and mental strength.
• Declutter your space — order creates calm.
• Say “no” to what drains you.
• Say “yes” to what challenges and excites you.

For more everyday balance, check out The Happiness Lab — a podcast exploring the science of well-being and self-trust.

Turning Goals into Growth
​Use this mini-action framework to transform big goals into achievable steps:

1. Define: What do you want and why?
 2. Break down: What’s one step you can take this week?
 3. Measure: How will you know you’re improving?
 4. Reflect: What did you learn?
 5. Repeat: Adjust and keep moving forward.

A simple planner like Evernote or a free Google Sheet tracker can keep you focused.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the fastest way to build confidence?
Start by keeping promises to yourself — consistency builds trust.

Q2: How do I handle setbacks?
View them as data, not defeat. Ask: “What is this teaching me?”

Q3: How do I stay motivated long-term?
Use accountability — share your goals with a friend or mentor.

Q4: Can confidence really be learned?
Absolutely. Confidence is a byproduct of practice, feedback, and perseverance.

Q5: What if I feel stuck?
Change your environment — new places, people, and routines reset your mindset.
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Glossary

• Self-efficacy: Belief in your ability to achieve a task.
• Micro-action: A small, simple behavior that compounds over time.
• Growth mindset: The belief that skills and intelligence can be developed through effort.
• Cognitive reframing: Shifting perspective to view challenges as opportunities.
  
  

Confidence is built, not bestowed. It grows with every decision you make to act — even when uncertain. Focus on consistency, community, and curiosity, and you’ll find that the life you’ve been envisioning starts aligning with the life you’re living.

Connor Hoffman is a health and fitness coach and creator of Benefit The Body. He has dedicated his career to helping individuals transform their lives through fitness, health, and wellness. With more than 15 years of experience, he has become renowned for his holistic approach to coaching, focusing on building a solid foundation of health and fitness knowledge and training for his clients. His coaching philosophy is centered around emphasizing functional movement, nutrition, and mindset.
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Hope you enjoyed this guest post, Friends!

I promise to post something more personal in the near future.
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Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

Hello and Welcome Back to Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold blog!

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was traveling to Daytona Beach, FL for NCA/NDA national Cheer and Dance competition. My son is the Dance Director at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX and his teams were performing. 

Well, we brought home a Gold (1st place - National Championship - His 19th and SFA's 24th); a Silver (2nd place) and two 4th place in their division! 

I told you we'd be getting back to regular posting beginning this week and I'm happy to oblige you with a special guest post by Steve Osborne, author of Beyond Chance: From the Big Bang to the Empty Tomb.

Welcome, Steve, Please tell us why you wrote Beyond Chance...
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​When I was challenged to examine the evidence for Christianity, I was stunned.

I didn't grow up doubting God—I grew up not thinking about Him at all. For three decades, I had dismissed Christianity without truly examining it. When someone finally challenged me to look at the actual evidence—not the caricatures I'd constructed in my mind—everything shifted.

I discovered that my arguments against God were built on false assumptions. I had believed that:
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-Faith requires checking your brain at the door (It doesn't)
-Science has disproven God (It hasn't)
-Evolution explains everything (It can't)
-The resurrection is a fairy tale (The evidence says otherwise)

Part of my journey to faith was learning that true faith is not the absence of evidence but the courage to follow it to its ultimate conclusion.

When we do, we discover that reason and revelation are not enemies but companions, pointing to the same truth—that we are the work of an intelligent and loving Creator.

Writing Beyond Chance: From the Big Bang to the Empty Tomb, has been more than an exploration of science. It has been a journey of faith, reason, and wonder.

My goal was not merely to argue that God exists, but to show that the world itself bears witness to His presence. The evidence for design, purpose, and intelligence surrounds us—from the birth of the cosmos to the intricacies of DNA, from the emergence of humankind to the resurrection of Christ.

The deeper I investigated science, the more I saw the face of God behind it.

Sharing that passion—especially with Christians who are intimidated by science—is part of the driving force behind the book.

How Wonderful! Sounds like an amazing read. Please share with us a blurb and how we can find out more about you and your book.

Sure, Thanks. Here is the Blurb...

Find the answers in Beyond Chance

Where did the universe come from?
How did life begin?
What makes humans so different?
What explains the empty tomb?

From the birth of the universe to the rise of life, from the mystery of human uniqueness to the empty tomb of Jesus, the evidence tells a story—one that challenges the idea that everything we see is the result of blind chance and instead reveals the radiant majesty of its Creator.

In Beyond Chance, scientist and former atheist Steve R. Osborne, PhD, invites readers to examine the clues woven into the fabric of reality itself. Why did the universe begin at all? Why are the laws of physics so precisely tuned for life? How did the first living cell arise with astonishing complexity already in place? And why does the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection refuse to fade?

Rather than asking readers to abandon science, Beyond Chance follows the evidence. Drawing from modern cosmology, molecular biology, human origins, and historical analysis, Osborne presents a clear and accessible case that design—not unguided nature—offers the best explanation for life, humanity, reason, and meaning. Science does not erase God—it reveals Him.

Written for thoughtful skeptics, curious believers, and anyone asking life’s biggest questions, Beyond Chance challenges a culture told the universe is silent. It argues instead that the cosmos is speaking—and that its message points beyond chance to purpose.

Folks can read an excerpt when they sign up to receive my newsletter or a sample on Amazon.

Below is my bio...
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Steve Osborne, PhD, is an experimental psychologist who has published peer-reviewed research. Once a skeptic himself, he began a personal and intellectual journey that led him to embrace Christianity as both rational and true. He served as a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation and a guest reviewer for two peer-reviewed scientific journals. He received his PhD in Experimental Psychology from Arizona State University and his undergraduate degree from UC San Diego, where he graduated with highest honors. His book, “Beyond Chance: From the Big Bang to the Empty Tomb,” integrates discoveries in cosmology, biology, and archaeology with biblical theology. He lives in Northern California and continues to write, teach, and speak on issues of faith and reason. Find out more by visiting his website.

Beyond Chance: From the Big Bang to the Empty Tomb can be purchased at Amazon for Kindle (FREE in KU!), and in Paperback.

Read a Q&A with me HERE.
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Thank You, so much Steve, and many thanks to Gina @TheAdamsGroup for sharing your book with us. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this, and all future projects.

Hope you enjoyed Steve's visit friends and that you'll check back often as I continue to share spiritual teachers, preachers, philosophists, and books with you on Rainbows, Potholes and Nuggets of Gold.
PamT