Episode 151
God’ timing is so good. If you follow me on IG, you’ve probably heard me talk about how I feel like my current life lessons all center around humility and God’s timing over mine. Well, the timing of this episode’s release is just perfect. I needed this episode when I recorded it and I needed it again this week with our family moving (again! We’re still in Idaho, but moving is pretty all consuming no matter the distance!) I have been feeling overwhelmed in this unexpected season of chaos. Bonnie’s books have truly been gifts to me at different moments in my life. Today we’re talking about her newest book Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm (but I also recommend her other book Sweet Like Jasmine).
You’ll probably hear the surprise in my voice at how Bonnie and I just jumped right into the deep end with this conversation. Bonnie’s willingness to be vulnerable and connect with people honestly and openly is part of what makes her such a special guest.
If you are in a season of chaos (which I feel like is probably most moms with kids at home), this episode is for you. If you’re a mother who is getting things done but you often feel like you’re surviving alone, this episode is for you.
Bonnie’s Bio: Bonnie Gray is the author of Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, Whispers of Rest, Finding Spiritual Whitespace and Sweet Like Jasmine. An inspirational speaker and podcast host of Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast, Bonnie touches thousands of lives using storytelling, soul care, and prayer. Bonnie’s global following of readers come to her for inspiring Christian content in her authentic, unique voice. Her writing has been published and syndicated across a broad online audience. Bonnie lives in California with her husband and two sons.
In This Episode, Bonnie & I Talk About:
- Her new book Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm
- Our life as moms…we are chewed up by the daily grind
- The daily grind as moms
- Why Bonnie shares about her childhood
- Growing up in poverty and with abuse
- How Bonnie got through hard times
- Bonnie’s 10 year healing journey from panic attacks
- Mental health wellness in moms is very important
- Being numb is one of the first signs of stress
- Not feeling joy as a mom
- We cannot think our way out of stress, we need to nurture our way out of stress
- Soul care is about nurturing our inner person that no one can see even though we are getting things done
- Return to rest
- Step one is praying…we want to heal with God
- Taking action steps to lower our stress levels
- Four areas of wellness we can focus on: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, or Social Wellness
- soulcarequiz.com
- Bonnie’s book as a call to action
- A top stressor in spiritual wellness is negative self-talk
- Be gentle with yourself
- Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit
- Needing more love and more care as a mom
- Scientific tips and spiritual tips
- Gentleness makes us strong
- What makes you feel softened?
- Comfort others with the comfort we feel ourselves
- Left brain anxiety: problem solve and logic (what we lean on to get things done)
- Right brain anxiety: artistic and creative self (our emotional center and senses)
- Our emotions are like the lights on the dashboard of our car
- How to activate a God designed counterbalancing force (rest and relaxation)
- Fight, flight, freeze mode
- Doing things with our hands turns off overthinking
- Doing things with our hands releases serotonin
- Doing something in your own quietness
- Starting small
- Psalm 46:10…relax
- Nursing and oxytocin
- The more you pour out, the more soul care you need
- We rest into the things we do
- Rest and refill
- Bonnie’s path to wellness
- Helping our bodies experience peace
- Walking for 10 minutes per day
- Doing what brings you joy
- Looking to the flowers and what is good and beautiful
- What it takes to be friends as a family
- How experiences turn on and off our brains
- Planning for the weekend
- Mental health wellness in children
- Suicide rates in Silicone Valley
- Soul care for our children by creating good experiences with them
- Living counter-culturally
- Family adventures
- Charlotte Mason education philosophy
- Maintaining wonder for God’s creation even on the hard days
- Being so stressed your hair falls out
- Pushing past our limit as moms
- Not sleeping well because of stress
- Being emotionally vulnerable
- How you feel is important to God
- Seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you
- Hearing the whisper of God
- 1 Peter 5:7
- Burnout as moms
- Honoring the individual
- Take Bonnie’s Soul Care Quiz!
- Bonnie’s Podcast: Breathe, the Stress Less Podcast
- As moms we are surviving alone while we are getting things done
- Living a restful, quiet life
- God’s ambitions for us
- Prioritize wellness and receiving God’s delight
Bonnie’s Links:
https://thebonniegray.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thebonniegray/
Elevating Motherhood Links:
www.elevatingmotherhood.com
www.instagram.com/loribethauldridge
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