1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:21,479 Speaker 2: Hey, friend, are you feeling burned out? When was the 3 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 2: last time you simply breathed without responsibility, not leading, not 4 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:32,400 Speaker 2: being on for someone else, but just being yourself to 5 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 2: rest and receive, simply experiencing a moment of peace or 6 00:00:37,720 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 2: joy that's right in front of you, without needing to 7 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 2: make anything happen. What if the way out of burnout 8 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 2: isn't trying harder, but learning how to rest and receive again. Well, 9 00:00:50,600 --> 00:00:53,559 Speaker 2: you're not alone, because I'm going to talk about something 10 00:00:53,640 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: called Beginner's joy. That's what we all need. I'm going 11 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 2: to show you how beginner's joy can help you feel lighter, 12 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 2: better and energized again. Well, friend, welcome to Breathe the 13 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 2: stress Less Podcast. I'm Bonnie Gray. I'm a sole care guide, 14 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: founder of sole Care School, and I'm the best selling 15 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 2: author of Breathe twenty one Days to stress Less and 16 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:26,360 Speaker 2: Transform Chaos to Calm. Let me ask you. Are you 17 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:32,280 Speaker 2: someone who's used to giving, encouraging others, caring for others, 18 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:37,720 Speaker 2: showing up and being responsible, and maybe without even realizing it, 19 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 2: you've forgotten how to simply receive, how to just be 20 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 2: in the moment without shaping it, fixing it, or making 21 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 2: it purposeful or meaningful for others, but just breathing in 22 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 2: what God has for you. Today, we're talking about something 23 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 2: that many of us don't even realize that we're missing. 24 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: And rest is not just about stopping. You know, when 25 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 2: we're burned out, we think all we need to is 26 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 2: just stop everything, But it's also about receiving what you 27 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 2: long for and need your wellness, allowing yourself to experience 28 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 2: the peace and joy those moments as they come without effort. 29 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 2: Today we're gonna explore why it can feel hard to receive, 30 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 2: how God invites you into rest through something called Beginner's Joy, 31 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 2: and I'm also going to give you a practical childlike 32 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 2: practice that's based on science that's going to help you 33 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 2: to heal from burnout and experience joy and renewal. We 34 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 2: always talk about getting God's loving words of affirmation and 35 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 2: learning the science behind what can help us restore joy 36 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: and peace that our emotions and our body needs. So 37 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 2: if you've been pouring out for some time, this episode 38 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 2: is for you. 39 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: You know. 40 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 2: It's something that I have been on a journey for 41 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 2: myself as a grown up, that rest and renewal, and 42 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 2: I want to invite you to Soul Caure School. I 43 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: have some classes if you're looking to add joy into 44 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 2: your life through science and scripture, rest praying the psalms. 45 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 2: Just check out the link in my show notes. Today. 46 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,720 Speaker 2: I'm going to be offering these online courses one last time, 47 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,640 Speaker 2: so this is your chance to really enjoy these courses 48 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: that thousands of women have enjoyed, and I hope to 49 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 2: see you there. So just check out that link in 50 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 2: the show notes and we'll be right back. 51 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: Well. 52 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 2: Our breath prayer today comes to us from scripture, a 53 00:03:55,880 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: beautiful invitation from Jesus himself. It's our word of affirmation 54 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 2: from Matthew Chapter eleven, verses twenty eight to twenty nine. 55 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 2: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 56 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 2: and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon 57 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:20,040 Speaker 2: you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, 58 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 2: and you will find rest for your souls. Let's just 59 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:29,719 Speaker 2: breathe this as our breath prayer in Heale. Come to me, 60 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:36,320 Speaker 2: all who are weary and burdened, ex heal. I will 61 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:46,600 Speaker 2: give you rest. It's Jesus's promise in hell. Learn from me, exhale, 62 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:53,279 Speaker 2: for I am gentle just let yourself feel the gentleness 63 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:59,479 Speaker 2: of Jesus's loving words to you. Simply receive what you 64 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 2: need with Jesus. Well. Last year, I was invited to 65 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 2: lead a women's sole care retreat for a church. And 66 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 2: I've been leading retreats for over sixteen years for soul care, 67 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:17,479 Speaker 2: but this one was different. It was actually at the 68 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:21,720 Speaker 2: church where I first accepted Jesus as my Lord's Savior 69 00:05:21,800 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 2: when I was seven years old. It was the same 70 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 2: year that my father left our family, and that moment 71 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,359 Speaker 2: changed my life because Jesus stepped into my story. I 72 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:36,800 Speaker 2: share that journey in my memoir Sweet Like Jasmine. It 73 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:41,359 Speaker 2: was selected by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association as a 74 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 2: memoir of the Year. But what made this retreat even 75 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 2: more special was the location because it was held in 76 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: the same place as a retreat. It's at the Redwood 77 00:05:53,839 --> 00:05:58,359 Speaker 2: Christian Retreat Center here in northern California, and it was 78 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,720 Speaker 2: a Chinese American church. So for the first time, I 79 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 2: chose to share part of my story in Cantonese that's 80 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:10,680 Speaker 2: a dialect of Chinese, the language I grew up speaking 81 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 2: with my mom. And something unexpected happened. Friends, I experienced 82 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: a deep healing because it was the first time I 83 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 2: share parts of my story, my wounded childhood stories, in 84 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 2: the same language that I spoke as a little girl. 85 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 2: And as I spoke, I felt peace, I felt freedom 86 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 2: and joy, And there was something about speaking that language 87 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 2: where I first heard the gospel, being surrounded by women 88 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: who spoke that same childhood language at church, and it 89 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 2: just became a wonderful, safe place of fellowship. And so 90 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,280 Speaker 2: just last week I decided to reach out to the 91 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 2: pastor and asked to visit a small Cantonese Chinese Bible 92 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 2: study group, not to lead, not to teach, just to 93 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:03,599 Speaker 2: come and received, just to sit and listen and enjoy 94 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 2: the fellowship, the conversation of these women. That they're friendly, 95 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 2: they're grace filled, and I don't know what the outcome 96 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:15,239 Speaker 2: will be, but I just felt a prompting to go visit. 97 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 2: And so, friend, I just want to ask you, is 98 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 2: there a place in your life where you can simply receive, 99 00:07:23,760 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 2: where you're not responsible for anyone, not leading, not pouring out, 100 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 2: but just simply experiencing a moment of peace, joy or connection. 101 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: We're just present because you know, those of us who 102 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:42,280 Speaker 2: are used to giving, being the encourager, leading. We also 103 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 2: need space where we can simply receive. That's how God 104 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:50,200 Speaker 2: designed our bodies, our emotions, our nervous system, and our 105 00:07:50,520 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 2: spiritual walk so we can be restored. We're not meant 106 00:07:55,080 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 2: to just be the guide, the leader, the giver in 107 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:02,480 Speaker 2: all areas of our life. So, friend, I just want 108 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 2: to ask you where in your life can create more 109 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 2: space just to be open and curious. And that's what 110 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 2: I'm doing. I'm stepping into this new experience and I 111 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 2: don't know what's going to happen, but I do know 112 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 2: that I feel that spark of renewal, and you will, too, 113 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 2: remember our verse for today, come to me. Jesus invites 114 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: you all who are weary and burdened, and I will 115 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 2: give you rest. Part of that rest, friend, is laying 116 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 2: down what you've been carrying so you can have space 117 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 2: again in your heart and your energy to be renewed 118 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:45,280 Speaker 2: in your soul. And part of that is being childlike 119 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,199 Speaker 2: to not just lead and guide and to take care 120 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 2: of others. You know, Jesus himself didn't just call people 121 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 2: to follow him alone. He gathered a close number of disciples, 122 00:08:57,920 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: and we see Jesus often spending time with friends like 123 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 2: Martha and Mary and Lazarus, not teaching, not performing, but 124 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:12,640 Speaker 2: simply being with them, reclining, eating, resting in friendship, just 125 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 2: experiencing connection, not creating it. So friend, Jesus invites you 126 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 2: into that same kind of space where you don't have 127 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 2: to give, you don't have to lead, where you can 128 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 2: simply receive and experience rest as something real and present, 129 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:38,160 Speaker 2: not something you have to make happen. Ponder it as 130 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 2: your soul care prompt. We're going to be right back 131 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 2: with the science, which is also very powerful. Now. The 132 00:09:56,280 --> 00:10:00,319 Speaker 2: science is really fascinating. I love learning how how God 133 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 2: creates our nervous system to relax with these principles that 134 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:08,080 Speaker 2: we see in his word, there's powerful research showing that 135 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 2: adults benefit emotionally and mentally when they allow themselves to 136 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 2: be beginners again. In his book it's called Beginners, The 137 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 2: Joy and Transformative Power of Lifelong Learning, Tom vander Built 138 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 2: explores how learning something new, especially without pressure to perform, 139 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:37,480 Speaker 2: can reshape the brain and improve well being. Studies on neuroplasticity, 140 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 2: that means your brain's ability to make new connections, shows 141 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 2: that when we engage in new unfamiliar activities, our brain 142 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 2: form new neural pathways. But what's especially meaningful is approaching 143 00:10:55,720 --> 00:11:02,640 Speaker 2: these experiences with a childlike mindset that includes being curious, open, 144 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 2: and not focused on the outcome. So those are kind 145 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 2: of the three ingredients. Are you curious, are you open, 146 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 2: and not focused on the outcome. That's the posture of 147 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 2: beginner's joy. You're simply experiencing the process rather than trying 148 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 2: to control the result. When we step out of roles 149 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 2: of responsibility and we start to put ourselves in environment, 150 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:35,559 Speaker 2: in our spaces where we can explore. Guess what, our 151 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 2: nervous system begins to relax. We experience more joy, creativity, 152 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 2: and emotional renewal. In other words, being a beginner again 153 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: helps you feel alive, heal from burnout, and feel better. Now, 154 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 2: we always want to have something practical to do, because 155 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 2: that's great knowing it, but we to put into action 156 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 2: so that your emotions and your body can feel joy 157 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 2: in peace. So here's your soul care invitation that matches 158 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 2: the science and the research and God's invitation practice beginner's joy. 159 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 2: Do something childlike. Something you used to love, was something 160 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:22,160 Speaker 2: used to love, but then somehow you let it go, 161 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 2: or something you've been curious about that you never got 162 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:28,160 Speaker 2: a chance to do. Now the key is, it's not 163 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 2: for productivity, it's not for outcome. It's just for joy, 164 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:34,719 Speaker 2: just to experience it. 165 00:12:35,520 --> 00:12:35,679 Speaker 1: Now. 166 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 2: Here's some ideas. These are from things I'm trying out. 167 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 2: I used to love playing the piano for hymns. I 168 00:12:43,640 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 2: just sit with the hymn book open in play. So 169 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 2: I've not done that in ages. I started doing that. Remember, 170 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,080 Speaker 2: you don't have to do it every day. You're just 171 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 2: having childlike openness. So is it playing an instrument maybe 172 00:12:56,600 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 2: or singing songs from your childhood? Second idea is to 173 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 2: ride a bike around your neighborhood, or taking a walk 174 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 2: around your neighborhood. Maybe draw our sketch even if you're 175 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 2: not good at it, okay. Or visit a library and 176 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 2: explore some books novels. Sometimes we focus on nonfiction, but 177 00:13:19,160 --> 00:13:22,559 Speaker 2: as kids we love stories, right. Or could it be 178 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 2: simply something that makes you feel childlike again? Something used 179 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 2: to love eating and now you haven't made it in ages. 180 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 2: I don't know what that is that sparks childhood joy 181 00:13:31,720 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 2: for you. But let yourself be a beginner, Let yourself 182 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 2: step into beginner's joy, Let yourself receive. You can kind 183 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 2: of hear that in Jesus's invitation those who are weary 184 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 2: and heavy laiden come and you can find rest with 185 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:55,480 Speaker 2: me to learn with Jesus, it's being like a child, right, 186 00:13:55,880 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 2: Jesus said, childlike faith is the key to experiencing god kingdom. 187 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:05,200 Speaker 2: So let yourself be a beginner. Let yourself experience joy 188 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 2: without needing to measure it or improve it, and notice 189 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 2: what shifts in your heart. So what's going to be 190 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 2: your action? How are you going to practice childlike joy? Me, 191 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 2: I'm going to be visiting a Cantonese Bible study for 192 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,119 Speaker 2: the first time. Of course I'm nervous, but I'm focusing 193 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 2: on the childlike joy practicing. So don't wait until you 194 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 2: have no resistance, do it, and then you'll experience the joy. Well, 195 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 2: let's pray Jesus you're the one that's calling us and 196 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:43,800 Speaker 2: inviting us to experience childlike joy. You're the one that 197 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 2: is going to walk with us. Is we practice beginner's joy. 198 00:14:48,640 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 2: We always have new beginnings with you because You're always 199 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 2: doing new things in each of our lives. We thank 200 00:14:55,600 --> 00:15:00,160 Speaker 2: you that we walk with you like a child besides you, 201 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 2: You're beloved in your name, We pray amen. Well, friend, 202 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 2: has this excited you to try something new? I want 203 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:13,920 Speaker 2: you to share this with a friend to encourage her, 204 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 2: and we can all encourage each other to have that 205 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,360 Speaker 2: childlike joy. It's so much more fun when we can 206 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 2: walk together and share ideas. Right it gets we spark 207 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 2: on each other, So share this episode with a friend. Also, 208 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,320 Speaker 2: I want to invite you to check out the online 209 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:33,080 Speaker 2: courses that I have to guide you to more rest, 210 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 2: more joy and praying the psalms. Check it out and 211 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 2: I want to meet you there. And finally, I just 212 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 2: want to invite you to just enjoy this week with Jesus. 213 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:51,480 Speaker 2: Remember that you're loved and you're cherished. Just rest and 214 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 2: I'll see you next time. 215 00:15:57,320 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 1: Breathe. 216 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 3: The stress Less podcast is a pretty reduction of Life 217 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 3: Audio and Salem Media. If you liked what you heard today, 218 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 3: please take a second to rate and review this podcast 219 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 3: in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like 220 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 3: you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, 221 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 3: visit us at lifeaudio dot com.