Snowed in with Jonas? You may as well capture the moment.
Here at Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics we are all about Spirit, but over this weekend we are switching gears a bit and looking for a different kind of spirit, The Spirit of Snow!
Post your best snow photo here and let’s see how many likes it receives. The photo with the most likes will be the winner.
We are looking for images that capture the Spirit of Snow and the happiness it brings, as well as its beauty. For example, a beautiful red cardinal against a snowy backdrop, or your dogs and kids romping with glee, or that perfect snowman that was born just before the silky hot chocolate was poured.
The contest will end Tuesday, January 26th at 8:00 PM EST/ 5 PM PST.
Snap your shot, post in the comments below in the Facebook link, and make sure to “like” your other favorite photos!
NOTE: You can also enter this contest via Instagram if you post your photo, tag bestamericanpsychics and use the hashtag #bapspiritofsnow
Years ago my Mom was trying to teach me to drive. Yes, years ago. She took me to an old country road to practice on. Nervous, I drove slowly along the dirt road, eyeing with worry the large country ditch that seemed like a great canyon. The car would drift toward the ditch. My mother would shout, “Focus on the road!” And I would, for a moment or two, then again nervously would look at the ditch and the car started to slowly creep towards. I knew it! I thought. Feeling my mother’s criticism. I keep going to the ditch! Hands clenched to the wheel, I felt surely that I would never learn to drive. My mother shouted, “Keep your eyes on the road. That is where you want to go. If you do not want to go to the ditch, do not look at it!”
I have come to learn that life is like driving a car. You look where you want to go. If you peer off to where you do not want to go, that is where you go, Life. Keep focused on your drive. Even if you are nervous and white knuckling on the wheel. Your energy goes wherever you are looking. So keep looking where you want to go.
Written By: Psychic Medium Lorraine Appleyard
www.bestamericanpsychics.com/advisor/lorraine-appleyard
Hey friends. Join us on our Instagram account and enter to win a free reading with Shay Parker’s Best American Psychics’ 2016 Psychic of the Year – Jill M. Jackson!!!!! Just follow three easy steps to be entered to win.
Here is how YOU enter to win (NOTE there are THREE steps):
1. Follow our Instagram Account: bestamericanpsychics
2. Double tap this photo to “like”.
3. Tag a friend that may enjoy a reading.
Good Luck! A winner will be posted on Friday, January 22nd.
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a firecracker named Carla. Carla was full of spunk and I immediately felt like she had missed her calling; this girl needed to be a preacher! She needed to preach. It was all over her energy.
As Carla was leaving, we began casually talking about what life as a “mystic” was like. I told her that I love my “job” but that I sometimes stayed frustrated with the controversy around charging a fee for services. I explained that I often hear people say: “Jesus didn’t charge people, so where do you get off charging people?”
Sometimes, I refuse to answer. I don’t like to argue and I’m not going to argue with someone about it. But if the person asking the questions wants to engage in an honest dialogue, then I will say that although the Bible doesn’t say Jesus charged for his services, we are told that he told his disciples to go to the people – but he said do not take money or belongings. He told them that they will be cared for by the people they help/serve. (Matthew 10 and Luke 9) So Christ and the Disciples were cared for by the people they helped. Their needs were met. They were provided housing, clothing, and food. So maybe Jesus didn’t technically charge, but he did receive compensation for his services. And today, that compensation is in the form of money.
Carla went home that evening and reflected on our conversation. Something within it touched her “inner ping” and she sent me the following message. And to be honest, I think it’s brilliant. I think she eloquently provided insight in a way that is easy to understand and assimilate. So now, I share it with you.
There really is no value in free.
At least – if researchers in the phenomenon of “value attribution” are right – that’s what people THINK, even when they don’t realize it.
I was on my way home last Monday, reflecting on our sitting, and suddenly thought of hot dogs.
Yes. Hot dogs.
When I was in my early twenties, I worked for a small radio station. Among the things I did was plan remote broadcasts for local businesses :“Hi y’all! We’re out here at Harlan Ford, where the biggest sale of the year is happening on F150s! Come on out and take a test drive, stop by the KOKL 1240 AM radio van and say hello! (yada, yada)”
Because I’ve always been wound a tad tight about work (I’m working on that), I devoured all the information I could get my hands on about how to be the most Kick-A** Remote-Radio-Broadcast-Planner ever.
One of the strongest pieces of advice I found:
Don’t give away free hot dogs.
CHARGE for the hotdogs.
Really?! So, we want people to come buy trucks, but we’re going to make money off of them while we’re at it by selling them hotdogs…?!
Not at all.
It’s all about people’s perception of “FREE”.
Now, hotdogs that are FREE, well, something certainly must be wrong with them. Or, at least, if not “wrong”, then inferior in some way. A free hotdog simply can’t be of the same quality as a hotdog that costs something … (in the study cited in the research, partakers of FREE hotdogs rated theirs as less tasty and less satisfying than did those who purchased their hotdogs for a quarter each – and we’re talking about the SAME hotdogs). A value interpretation is made by every recipient of any product or service. And that interpretation is largely based on the price assigned by its offerer.
It’s a matter of expectation.
Let me ask you this: How much does a client’s expectation affect the outcome of a reading?
My goodness, if the quality of a HOTDOG can be compromised by a person’s expectation, how much more is a psychic reading affected —something that challenges people’s faith to begin with?!
My reading was amazing because I expected it to be (Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen – who says the Law of Attraction isn’t Biblical – ha! ).
BUT- aside from my spiritual faith- I have to confess that my Small Self reasoned that you must be legit since people were paying for your services. You wouldn’t be charging the particular prices you charge if people weren’t willing to pay them. People wouldn’t be willing unless they were receiving something back from you that was at least commensurate with their investment. Wrong or not, I attributed validity to you in part because you have an office (which has overhead ..which you are obviously paying…which you can do because people pay for your services…which they do because you’re the Real Deal. See what I mean?).
Put plainly….My faith in you was bigger because you aren’t free. And your gift met me at my point of faith.
I didn’t spend nearly as long considering these things as I just spent typing them; all of this thinking happened in a flash, but the take-home point stands:
To offer your services for free, Leslie, would be a disservice to your clients.
People believe that “you get what you pay for”, whether they claim to or not. And it is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
One of these days mankind will have grown in Truth enough to cease making value judgments based on man-made, false constructs (ie: money). Until then, you are doing us a favor by requiring a fee, and this Truth is not altered by anyone else’s failure to view it thus.
This is sent in Love, and I hope you’ll forgive me if I have overstepped any boundaries….it’s just that I was visited by 23-year-old hotdogs Monday night and I thought that you should know
Warmly,
Carla
Carla, I think it’s quite possible you are a genius. And I think that you are speaking a Truth that so many of us struggle with: our own value.
I’ve been helping people – in one way or another – for most of my life. And Carla’s words are true. When a client invests in her own healing, empowerment or success, she almost always finds it quicker, easier and in greater supply than the client who doesn’t.
I’ve done all kinds of intuitive consultations. I’ve done free ones. I’ve done love donation ones. And I’ve done ones for individuals who paid. And the truth is this: the people who pay for the session get far more out of it than those who do not. Truth: the sessions are identical. I am the same person. I offer the same quality of information. And the Angels always offer the same level of insight and advice. But the difference is how that information is received. And if you are investing in it, you are more likely to listen and follow the advice.
The person who invests in their own success by paying for the session almost always fares better than the person who does not. The person who invests in prosperity coaching finds far more prosperity than the person who seeks only free or donation only services. The person who invests in healing sessions finds far more wellness than the person who asks for services for free.
And it comes right back to Carla’s hot dogs. That 25 cent hot dog will taste better than the free one, and the $1 hot dog will taste better than the one that costs a quarter. Value attribution.
And the truth is that I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of free sessions. I’ve heard countless stories of scarcity and lack. I’ve always been a bleeding heart.
I’ve given a session away to a woman who claimed she couldn’t even afford to shower daily because she could barely afford her water bill, and yet, a month later, she posted pictures of her family vacation from Disney World. I gave sessions to a single mom with an autoimmune disease who couldn’t work but always managed to have money to shop and travel. Far too many people will say “I can’t afford that” but what they really mean is “I don’t want to pay you when I can manipulate you into giving it to me for free.”
Scarcity is a mind set. And if you are gifted a session for free, chances are that you will not assign the same value to it as you would if you were paying for it. The cost of the session is more than valuing the person providing it; it’s valuing yourself. You are indeed acknowledging that you deserve the life that you seek.
So thank you Carla. Your eloquence serves, and your light is certainly illuminating.
An exclusive interview with Shay Parker, the driving force behind Metaphysical Minds Radio and Best American Psychics and Healers
The Early Years
Born in 1974 in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC, Shay Parker was raised in a middle-class, modest family of 5. Shay enjoyed a childhood and rich with love, home cooking, a lot of family time, cookouts, camping trips, and more.
From an early age, Shay was taught the importance of responsibility and hard work. With her first job at the young age of 13, she enjoyed spending weekends sweeping hair and acting as the shampoo girl in her grandparent’s hair salon.
Shay continued to work throughout middle school and high school, and eventually graduated college with a visual arts degree in Web design. She began her self-employment career very early, working in a variety of different capacities from home.
Throughout the course of her early life, Shay always held a very left brained, skeptical viewpoint. Although she had definite interest in the paranormal, it was not a mind-set that she readily accepted.
It was not until she moved into a 100-year-old cabin in the mountains of North Carolina that she readily acknowledged the existence of the spirit world. Shay had several personal experiences with spirits that seemed to occupy the cabin. These experiences included verbal as well as physical types of communication. Because Shay was able to see and hear for herself that something other than a live human being was occupying her home, it solidified for her that life after death does exist.
This was a defining moment in Shay’s life, and it acted as the precipice for the creation of her online directory, Best American Psychics. That later led into the creation of Best American Healers, as well as her two radio shows, Metaphysical Minds and Best of the Best. Best American Psychics and Best American Healers are Internet directories which focus on promoting professional, ethical, and reliable practitioners who specialize in metaphysical fields. On Metaphysical Minds radio show, Shay has interviewed some of the top metaphysical minds in the world, those that are true Crusaders of Change across the globe – Shirley MacLaine, Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Williams, Michelle Whitedove, and John J. Oliver are just a few.
OM Times Exclusive Interview
Omtimes: Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows.
Shay Parker: Hmm… well, I was born on Friday the 13th and my mom used to call me her little witch.
Omtimes: We heard that you were contacted by at least two international companies interested in establish an USA base, how this will affect your work on the metaphysical community at large?
Shay Parker: Yes, I was recently contacted by 2 international companies interested in establishing a USA base. Although I was very shocked at this opportunity, I was also very honored. These 2 opportunities will affect my work within the metaphysical community in a very positive way. They will give me the global connections needed in order to truly achieve my overall vision. Although I am under strict confidentiality agreements with both companies, I can share that the goals of both firms are very much aligned with my personal goals. I truly believe that these mergers are of divine order, and I am so very excited at the opportunities they will provide. I work with so many within the metaphysical community that wish to expand their reach globally. My mergers with these 2 companies will open doors and will give us access to completely unchartered territory. Furthermore, the projects themselves are simply mind blowing within their own rights. What we are about to embark upon has never been done, and these projects can literally change humanity as a whole.
Omtimes: Are you involved with any philanthropic activity? What are your plans?
Shay Parker: I am, always have been, and always will be an animal rights activist. My schedule right now, especially with all the new contracts and mergers, is extremely hectic. Unfortunately, it has not allowed me much time to contribute to as many philanthropic projects as I would like. Having said that, my overall goal with this new self-reinvention is to have enough funds and a large enough voice to truly make a difference and receive global donations on behalf of many different charities. In my opinion, metaphysical/spiritual work and philanthropic activities go hand in hand. As above, so below. I cannot imagine it any other way.
Omtimes: What is the best memory you have from your youth?
Shay Parker: Wow, this is a very tough question. I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood that is going to be extremely difficult to pick just one. I and 2 sets of incredible grandparents that enriched my life every single day. You know, the best way to answer this question is with a collective answer. As I pondered what my best memory is from my childhood, I just continue to see everyday life. Each day was a great memory because every day we came from school to a home cooked meal and an overwhelming sense of safety, security, and love.
Our family never had a lot of money, but every event was always made very special. It’s interesting, because I was just in the department store picking up some random things for my house. I looked around and I saw all the pre-made, commercial Easter baskets and I was suddenly flooded with memories of my childhood. I remember that every Easter, my mother would make handmade baskets. She would stuff them with our favorite chocolates, candies, stuffed animals, and more. She hand-picked every selection that went into our Easter baskets. We never had a store-bought basket in our lives. This theme remained throughout the entire year, as every event was hand-done or home-grown by my parents. I have 2 siblings, and on our birthdays, my mother would always make our favorite meals, as well as a homemade and hand decorated birthday cake. Each Christmas was also made magical, as we all went out together and picked out our Christmas tree, cut it down, and then we came home to Christmas carols and freshly baked cookies and decorated the tree. So, I know I kind of cheated on this question because I cannot define one single favorite memory when I have so many amazing ones.
Omtimes: What are you plans for the future, what is in store Best American Psychics and healers? The two powerhouses you administrate?
Shay Parker: My plans for the future are always expansion and growth. Regarding my existing companies, I will continue to expand them on a global basis, attracting clientele as well as professionals from all different genres. It is my goal to have the most well-known and well respected directories on the Internet. I firmly believe that by establishing a solid team of proven professionals, the public will begin to see that alternative healing as well as alternative abilities can truly be beneficial. It is an uphill battle in many capacities, but it is also one that I see changing every single day. The walls that have been created within society over the past several hundred years are now finally beginning to fall. People are beginning to see things with fresh eyes and a new perspective. My plan for my existing companies is to utilize them to shine the light where there was once darkness.
Omtimes: What do you think about all this uproar about 2012 and in your opinion, what can we expect before and after December 21th?
Shay Parker: I am actually very excited about 2012. I do not feel that it is a time for doom and gloom. Obviously, I do think that we will have some challenges to overcome, but I do not believe that the world is coming to an end on December 21. I do believe that the world as we know it on a spiritual level will be ending on December 21, but I do not feel that this is Armageddon, so to speak. Instead, I feel that a new spirituality or sense of overall consciousness will be born. I simply believe that the old ways cannot survive any longer, because I think that humanity is finally ready to take the next step.
I do believe that we will have natural disasters, but if you look back throughout the course of history, we have always had natural disasters. Will there be further upsets in government? Yes, I do believe there will. But again, there have always been upsets within government agencies. I believe that 2012 will be a falling away of the old and in entry into the new. I do feel that people need to step back and take stock of their current lives, and realized where it is they are in comparison to where it is they wish to be, and then make applicable changes.
Radio Interview with Allison Hayes’ CBS Radio Program, Rock Talk
Keywords: Shay Parker, Metaphysical Minds, Best of the Best, CBS radio, Best American Psychics, Best American Healers, Hope through Havoc, psychic directories,
Last week, I had the opportunity to meet a firecracker named Carla. Carla was full of spunk and I immediately felt like she had missed her calling; this girl needed to be a preacher! She needed to preach. It was all over her 
