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.

Hello Again, Friend,
​
I never considered having a guest post on this blog but when I received Jamie Saloff's newsletter, I was so inspired I just had to share it... I think you will be too!

Enjoy...
PamT
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During a recent call with my BFF she mentioned the increased negativity she had been experiencing all around her. She asked, "Have you noticed how whether phone associates or checkout clerks, everywhere you go, people just seem to be carrying an underlying anger and disgruntled attitude?" Although I had sensed this overall feeling that seemed to have blanketed the nation, I stated that I had actually been pleasantly surprised by how friendly and helpful everyone had been, despite this invisible chaos.
 
I think this opposing experience surprised her, though we agreed on one point, that she felt this had to do with an energetic of negativity surrounding us all.
 
"Oh, like the Ghostbusters goo?" I asked. (She was unfamiliar with this movie, so I explained.)
 
In Ghostbusters II, the guys discover a river of goo flowing under the city which they determine is reacting to the "New York State of Mind" (which is generally negative) and which is creating the paranormal and chaotic events in the city. They do tests on the goo showing how it not only reacts to negative feedback but also positive reinforcement. In order to "save the day" as it were, they decide they need some positive symbol to uplift the New Yorkers' attitude on this ominous New Year's Eve. So they spray the Statue of Liberty with the goo. The goo, in combination with upbeat music, frees the statue to walk the streets and has the New Yorkers cheering and laughing. Of course, this is just what the Ghostbusters needed to shift the energy their way.
 
"You should write about this in your newsletter," my friend said. "Naw, what do I know about positive energy?" I told her. But after we talked, I realized I couldn't get it out of my mind, and a list of ways to uplift your energy and create a more positive atmosphere began to form in my mind, as follows.
 
1. I had just finished reading Kyle Grey's book Angels Are With You Now (which I really enjoyed). In it, he writes that he must first raise his own vibration before he can help others raise theirs. He offers many insights in his book on how to connect with angels and a meditative prayer that includes surrounding yourself with golden light. He then also makes an effort to connect with those around him in a positive way by smiling, saying "hello," and by being generally friendly. Meditation is not always my best course of action, but if it is yours, try Kyle's golden light.
 
2. After I met my husband-to-be, Tim's father, Bill, helped me greatly with learning about spiritual gifts and practices. One of the things he seemed to drill into us all the time was something he called "mouth confession." He would catch us saying negative things and warn us that the more we said them, the more likely they would come true. And of course, if we spoke of positive things, the same was true. So are you constantly speaking negatively about yourself, your family, your community, and more? Start looking for the positives and you will begin to turn things around for yourself and for those around you. And no, it isn't instant, and yes, you have to keep at it. It's always a work in progress.
 
3. One day while at a stop light, I looked over and saw a black man walking down the sidewalk. He didn't just walk, he had a rhythm to his walk that seemed almost as if he might be listening to music. I tried to walk that way a time or two. You can't be unhappy and walk with a jive in your step. In the same respect, we live on a lake near a playground. I often see parents and their children walking there. It seems the parents always walk slower and chat with their counterparts while the younger children skip, run ahead, then back, twirl around, laugh, and talk excitedly about where they are heading. You have to have a high energetic to be like those little kids. Try it sometime.
 
4. I used to love wearing ankle boots. They made me feel empowered. When I cleared my closet some years ago, I only kept clothes that I loved and that made me feel good about myself. What you wear, including the colors, textures, and fabrics they are made of, helps to raise your vibration. If your clothes make you feel good, the rest of you will feel better as well. When I received chemotherapy and could barely walk up the stairs due to feeling so weak, I would make that climb simply so I could put on my makeup. It took me two to three times longer than normal to do so, but being able to see myself in the mirror looking better than a washed-out ghost, encouraged me. Even how we stand (shoulders back or slumped, head held high) helps raise our energetic presence.
 
5. Chatting with a friend once, I said how I sometimes wished my life was a musical so I could dance in the aisles of stores. She said, why don't you? Well, I am probably not going to do that—though I know some people might. I have some favorite musical YouTube videos I love to watch that make me smile. This is my favorite.
 
6. The other day while grocery shopping, I had stopped in the main aisle waiting for the side row to clear. Suddenly a little girl about three or four years old came down the aisle from the opposite direction. Her face beamed with the largest smile and her whole countenance appeared lit up. She and I met eyes, and I felt as if her beam of light touched me. I began to smile as well. When you smile, do you light up a room like that little girl? If not, keep at it.
 
7. Lastly, I want to leave you with the thoughts from Michael Jackson's song, "Man in the Mirror." Since it's not likely we can really spray the Statue of Liberty with happy goo, Michael Jackson sings: "If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change." We can't always change others and it can be overwhelming when we look around and see all the things that need fixing in our world. But if we start with ourselves and do what we can to uplift our own countenance and energetic, we will, like that little girl at the grocery store, shine our light on others and make the world a better place.
 
Whether via a golden light, happy music, a strut in your step, or by offering a smile and kindness to those who you encounter, we can uplift our energy and the more we do so, the happier we all will be.
 
                                                              ~ * ~     ~*~     ~*~
 
Jamie Linn Saloff is a Lily Dale trained intuitive. Author, teacher, story weaver, spiritual counselor, seer of visions, pathfinder, for over thirty years Jamie’s taught how to reignite your heart by listening to your body groan and your soul weep. She is the author of twelve books including her Marvelous Messages™ series. To book your private session, visit her on the web at https://www.MarvelousMessages.com.