How I Didn't Save Jenny's Marriage.

“You saved my marriage!” 

Years ago I had worked with Jenny, an event planner who booked me for parties and corporate gatherings. At some point, she hired me for a “girls night” of wine and palmistry at her own home. (A great idea, by the way, and fun for everyone!)

When it came time for Jenny’s reading, she knew exactly what it was about: her love life. She was becoming more and more annoyed with her husband, and was pondering a divorce. Looking at her palms, it was evident that she was as much at fault in pulling back from the relationship as him, so I advised her, in part, to work on her own attitude (she admitted, while laughing, that she can be “super bitchy”). I encouraged her to push the relationship to its limits, and really lean in with love and engagement. I suggested she be the first person to do the loving thing. If the relationship couldn’t take the pressure, it would break, and she would get her wish. If it did handle the pressure, it would flourish and grow. 

Months later, when I saw Jenny at an industry event, she ran up to me and said loudly, “OMG, Jim - YOU SAVED MY MARRIAGE!” People stopped and looked (wouldn’t you?) as she raved about how I did this wonderful thing. 

That’s when I stopped her. I admit, I was a bit embarrassed, and also because what she said was incorrect. I did not save her marriage. SHE saved her marriage. She was willing to be open to being different, and seeing herself and the petty ways she was contributing to the wedge between them. As everyone looked on, I said to her, “NO, Jenny - YOU saved your marriage. I just helped you see how.”

The palm reading offered her insight into her own patterns of behavior and thinking. It also offered clarity on the situation, and some direction on how to move forward. In fact, I hear those three words so often from clients after their reading, I use them on my home page. I hope this story illustrates one of the many ways insight, direction, and clarity show up for people.

I will be forever grateful for Jenny and her bright exuberance, and her willingness to improve her life in a huge way. <3