Podcasts about my yes

Join Rita for an inside look at her latest album, "Fed by Ravens," as she sits down with Anna Golden and producer Bede Benjamin-Korporaal to discuss the spiritual journey and heart behind the music. We hope you enjoy this discussion and an exclusive preview of Rita's three NEW songs, "He Will," "My Yes," and "Answer Me."Join Rita's Newsletter - http://www.worshipismyweaponshow.comFollow Rita everywhere - https://linktr.ee/ritaspringerIf you're enjoying the show, please rate and review!

Do you ever find fear rising up within your heart? Does the weight of uncertainty ever feel too heavy to handle? In the foster care community, uncertainty about how our “yes” may impact our family, our marriage, a child in foster care, another family, or even ourselves can throw us into fear and hesitation rather than trust and faith. I am so excited to welcome Jenn Hand for this conversation. Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and has the honor of traveling around the world as a missionary and extending the invitation to come alive in Christ. She is an incredible example of someone who listens to God's direction! She has her Master's Degree in Trauma Counseling and is the author of five books. Jenn's most recent book is My Yes is on the Table: Moving From Fear to Faith. In this episode, Jenn shares about how saying “yes” is linked to surrender, what we can do with our fear, why stepping forward in faith doesn't always mean forever, and so much more. I really enjoyed this conversation, and am eager to kick off 2024 with this topic! Show Notes: https://theforgotteninitiative.org/jenn-hand-215/

Thank you for listening to My Yes is on the Table, a podcast hosted by Jennifer Hand of Coming Alive Ministries. Today Jenn welcomes Dannah Gresh to talk about her book Happily Even After. Dannah steps out and shares her story of hope and how God can redeem the broken pieces of your marriage. Grab a copy of Dannah's book here  Find out More about Jenn and Coming Alive Ministries here  Donate to Coming Alive Ministries 

................................. FULL TRANSCRIPT ................................. Hi, I'm Pascale Gibon. Welcome to episode 277 of The Everyday Life Balance Show. Thank you for tuning in.    It's St Valentine's week, so Happy St Valentine's Day on the 14th of February if you celebrate it.    Yes! To Love - The ultimate guide to personal transformation for everyday life balance is my Amazon bestselling book. In this episode, I will share the first principle of the Yes to Love philosophy.    The Yes! to love philosophy is a calling to look at life from a different perspective. The life perspective it pushes forward is not one of constant struggle, stress, overwhelm and hitting your head against the wall but one of peace, love and inner and outer balance.    Yes! denotes an affirmation, an engagement, a commitment and the activation of a positive perspective for your life and the world. Love is the highest energy there is. When you say Yes! to Love, you commit to all that is glorious.    The first principle of the Yes! to Love philosophy is to change your attitude if you want to change your environment.     Your attitude to life will determine whether you live a happy or unhappy life.    Regarding attitude, Earl Nightingale, the father of personal development, motivational speaker, writer and radio personality, expressed the following:    “Our environment is really a mirror of our mental attitude. If we don't like our environment we have to change our attitude first.”   Our attitude is the combination of our thoughts, feelings and actions. It yields great results when it is great and bad results when it is bad.    Can you think of the consequences of your attitude when it is a good one and when it is a bad one?    For example, someone says something that displeases you, and you react harshly to what they say. The argument leaves a bitter taste in their mouth and yours.   Let me give you another example. The attitude of uncontrollable anger affects your well-being. It creates stress in the body and generates a feeling of mistrust, inadequacy and resentment.    On the other hand, a never give up attitude when you have a dream and face many obstacles increases your motivation and likelihood of accomplishing your desired goal.   In one of my episodes, I share the mental faculty of memory and how we need to use memory well to transform our results. If we constantly remember how other people have hurt us, we have forgotten that we have hurt others too, albeit consciously or unconsciously. Most importantly, we have obliterated how much love we have received from others and our loved ones.   A loving attitude is one of appreciation, understanding and compassion. It brings peace and balance and is not the affair of the E.G.O, which stands for Edging God Out.   For the sake of salvation, I believe that increasingly humanity needs to embody love, their divine nature, and see the world with a loving heart.     The world might seem hostile because you choose to view it as such. Additionally, if you believe it is so, this is how it will appear in reality due to two divine laws: the law of cause and effect and the law of vibration.   I have a different outlook at the heart of the Yes! to Love philosophy. Do you agree that if we were to create order and design a picture whereby we look at the human condition and the world differently with the eyes of love and compassion we would build a better world?    Remember that despite human suffering, so much beauty surrounds us.   We grow in love when we care about others and develop a consciousness whereby we see the beauty in things and others and not only the ugliness.    For example, I record this episode from Guadeloupe, a beautiful Caribbean island. As I look around, the sea, green scape, palm trees and coconut trees surround me. It's blissful!   A great attitude yields a great result. I watched a documentary about high cases of cholera in some African countries. It appears that the solution is simple. It is to build water wells to give the inhabitants safe access to clean water. The non-profit Wells For Life commits to drilling wells, restoring wells and building sustainable communities. This project is a lifesaver for many villages.   Darkness is necessary to see the light. It is the law of gender. Personally, I had to go through the dark night of the soul to give my life meaning. However, we do not need to sink deep into the darkness as a way of life. That is not the meaning of human existence because love is our essence. It seems necessary to learn how to shed the protective shield and rust that covers our hearts to grow in wisdom and love unconditionally.    Our attitude to life will determine whether we are capable or not of seeing the world with loving eyes and developing a loving heart. I believe that love is essential to create a better world, improve our relationships and live a great life.   Life is always happening for us. Other people's attitude is that life is happening to them. Their mindset would be: "If only…" "I can't..." "It can't be helped..." "Why me…" "Why now…"   What might transform your mental attitude is striving to find a solution to any difficulty. You do not exist to suffer but to live your best life.   In this episode, I invite you to say Yes! to Love and see the beauty in everything and everyone. See the beauty in your loved ones, friends, colleagues, neighbours and others. The E.G.O Edging God Out will help you see others' negative side. However, there is goodness in each one of us. It is our mental attitude that determines our environment. The goodness you desire to see in others comes from you first.   As we celebrate St Valentine's Day this week, what can you do to develop a loving attitude? Any attitude other than a loving one is contrary to your divine nature. Love is the highest energy.    My Yes! to Love vision might seem naive. However, to live in the spirit of love requires a loving attitude.    I hope you enjoyed this episode.   Remember, now is your time to transform your life one step at a time.    Your action step is to reflect on the following question: What can you do to develop a loving attitude?   I look forward to connecting with you next Monday.    Have a fantastic week of celebrating love. Take care and lots of love.    Got a question for Pascale? Click here to connect. P.S.: Click here to set up a plan to achieve your most important goal this year and schedule a complimentary “What's Next” breakthrough call with Pascale. ………………………. FREE RESOURCES ………………………. Love this? Do you want to live an abundant life? If you answer Yes! Click here to claim now your FREE guide:  Yes! To Love Success Habits: 7 Steps To Inner Peace, Joy And Happiness. Watch now the three-part video training: "7 Key Principles To Achieve Your Dreams." In this training, you will learn the principles that govern the achievement of your goals. Click here to get immediate access: Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Apple iTunes: http://bit.ly/id1247430885 Listen to the Everyday Life Balance Show on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/ELBStitcher Listen to the Everyday Life Balance Show on Google Play: http://bit.ly/ElBSGoogle Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Soundcloud:  https://bit.ly/ELBShowCloud Listen to The Everyday Life Balance Show on Amazon: http://bit.ly/EDLBShow ………………………………….. CONNECT WITH PASCALE ………………………………….. http://www.pascalegibon.com https://facebook.com/pascalegibonfanpage https://www.linkedin.com/in/pascalegibon https://www.instagram.com/pascalegibon https://www.twitter.com/pascalegibon ……………………... ABOUT PASCALE ……………………... Pascale Gibon is the #1 Bestselling author of YES! TO Love – The Ultimate Guide to Personal Transformation for Everyday Life Balance and The Essential Guide To Success Checklist - The 30-Day Challenge to Build Your Path to Success and Fulfil Your Life's Purpose. Pascale is also the founder of YES! TO Love Academy (her live events) and YES! TO Training (or Y.T.T. YES! to True Transformation) your portal for personal transformation which helps you stand back up so that you can regain your zest for life, make your life work for you and quantum leap every aspect of your life from the inside out.  The results are more joy, real happiness and success as you increase your self-expression, self-love and self-confidence, and you feel empowered. Known as a 'Change Catalyst' for your growth, transformation, and success Pascale is highly intuitive. She has the particular talent of helping you walk 100% in your greatness with confidence and harness your unique divine gifts and abilities so that you can live your life to your fullest potential and be the best that you can be with the energy of love. As a visionary and creative, her life's purpose is to inspire and empower you and guide you to happiness through love and joy in the context of understanding and compassion. Meet Pascale at pascalegibon.com. Got a question for Pascale? Click here to connect. ……………………………………………………………... ABOUT THE EVERYDAY LIFE BALANCE SHOW ……………………………………………………………... The Everyday Life Balance Show is a weekly self-help show for individuals who want to create more balance and harmony in their life on a mental, physical and spiritual level. Every Monday, you get access to insights, practical tools and strategies from experts in their field of wellness, personal development, life fulfilment, happiness and success and from your host Pascale Gibon. "Now is your time to transform your life one step at a time!" ……………….. SUBSCRIBE! ……………….. Subscribe to Pascale's YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/pascalegibon Subscribe to Pascale's iTunes podcast: http://bit.ly/id1247430885 Read Pascale's latest articles and receive inspirational, transformational and motivational content: pascalegibon.com.

This week Pastor Justin talks about what it looks like to enter into a season of “Simplify to Strengthen”.   You can now see on our Youtube Channel by following this link: Simplify to Strengthen   Important Points: We will share in both Suffering and Comfort! We will Seek His Will to Receive His Blessing! I will Let God's Yes be My Yes! Important Scriptures (NLT version unless stated otherwise):   2 Corinthians 1:1-7 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 Proverbs 3:5-6 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 2 Corinthians 1:15-24

Thank you for listening to My Yes Is On The Table, a podcast hosted by Jennifer Hand and Coming Alive Ministries.  Today Jenn introduces her new show and tells the story behind her new book, My Yes Is On The Table. Jenn's new book: My Yes is on the Table: Moving From Fear to Faith Connect with Jenn: Instagram, Facebook, Website DONATE to Coming Alive Ministries

Today's guest, Jennifer Hand and I had such an amazing conversation about fear and what is holding you back from doing what God has called you to do. She gives us so many different points to consider in our own walk with God and the adventure we are on in this life. I absolutely loved this conversation and was equally challenged in my way of thinking and processing my walk as well. She is such a bright light in this world and I cannot wait for you to listen and to learn how to put your yes on the table! Bio: Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and loves the honor of traveling nationally and internationally, providing the invitation to come alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, written resources and counseling. Jenn has had the joy of serving in over 30 countries and speaking at around 40 events a year. With her Master's degree in trauma counseling, God has opened a unique door for Jenn to respond after natural disasters around the world, providing trauma counseling and the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering. Anchor Verses: Joshua 1:9 Romans 8 **We also talk about Hebrews 10:35 and Psalm 139*** Connect with Jenn: Jenn would love to keep up with you in her cozy internet corner of the world at www.comingaliveministries.com or on social media @comingalivejenn on Instagram or Jenn Hand at Coming Alive Ministries on Facebook. Her book, My Yes is on the Table is now available through her website or wherever you order books! ***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics! Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

How can I encourage my single friend who desires marriage? What do I say (or not say) to my single friends? Today, Jennifer Hand and I talk about her journey as a forty-year-old single woman. We talk about all the assumptions we make around our friends who are single or in any other situations that are "different" from our cultural norms. "Look what you can do if you're single." "It's a good thing you're single so you can serve God." Jenn's heard all the cringe-worthy but well-meaning sentiments from friends within the church. In today's show, Jenn brings encouragement, real talk, and truth to these questions. If you're single, this will encourage you. If you want to know how to be a better friend to single women, this is a must-listen. This is part two of an episode on fear and faith featuring Jennifer Hand. Today we talk about What to Say to a Single Friend and More Including: How people have told Jenn to "delight herself in the Lord" so she can get married (and how that missed her heart!) How there's no magic formula for marriage. Is God good even when his plan or timing don't match mine? How feeling and knowing we are loved helps us love others better. We talk about fear of success and the pressure of that. How fear paralyzes us but faith propels us. What to do when you feel stuck in the "safe and sane" What it means to give ourselves permission to dream. What to do if you are in a long season of waiting and how to know God is working behind the scenes. Tips for prayer and praying for what you desire in a theologically sound way. How to combat the biggest underlying fear: that God will be good to us and we can trust him. Listen to Heather on Jenn's podcast: Coming Alive here: https://comingaliveministries.libsyn.com/with-heather-creekmore Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Check out Heather's coaching options: Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck?  Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/ Meet Jenn Hand Jenn has a Master's Degree in professional counseling from Richmont University and although not in private practice, loves to apply the things she learned as she helps you come alive. Jenn has been professionally speaking since 2004 and became the Executive Director and founder of Coming Alive Ministries in 2012.  She spent two life-changing years overseas in South Asia as a missionary and has traveled  to 22 countries to share the love of Jesus. Learn more about Jennifer Hand here: https://www.comingaliveministries.com Read Jenn Hand's brand new book, "My Yes is On the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith" on Amazon here.* (Amazon affiliate link.)

You'll be encouraged by today's conversation on the topic of overcoming fear to say "Yes" to what God asks of us! Heather's guest today, Jennifer Hand, is Executive Director of Coming Alive ministries and a missionary who travels the world to minister to people who have just endured a natural disaster. Jenn talks about how she learned to put her "Yes" out there and surrender to God to walk out in faith. Jenn also talks about her journey as a single woman and how she's learned to trust God for her future in all areas. In today's episode about moving from fear to faith we talk about: Surrendering our fear, hopes, dreams, and plans to the Lord. How Jenn literally wrote out her "Yes" to God and put it out there for him. How to "do it" scared, how to keep moving even when you feel fear, and how to show up when you feel burdened with fear! Surrendering our bodies (and our body image-what we think of our bodies) to God. Jenn's struggle with body image and what she learned from having a twin sister. How to listen to God's truth over the lies of fear that shout at us. Finding the "promised land" of what God has planned for us. How we've chased the 'fake' promised land instead of God's dreams for our lives. How to not compare our "promised land" to other's promised lands. What NOT to say to single women! Meet Jenn Hand Jenn has a Master's Degree in professional counseling from Richmont University and although not in private practice, loves to apply the things she learned as she helps you come alive. Jenn has been professionally speaking since 2004 and became the Executive Director and founder of Coming Alive Ministries in 2012.  She spent two life-changing years overseas in South Asia as a missionary and has traveled  to 22 countries to share the love of Jesus. Learn more about Jennifer Hand here: https://www.comingaliveministries.com Read Jenn Hand's brand new book, "My Yes is On the Table: Moving from Fear to Faith" on Amazon here.* (Amazon affiliate link.) Are we email friends yet? Join the 5 Day Body Image Freedom Email Challenge here: https://www.comparedtowho.me Have you read Compared to Who? Check it out and start reading free, here: https://comparedtowho.me/compared-to-who-book-for-christian-women-on-body-image/ Ready for some extra support on your journey to body image freedom? Do you want to believe you are more than a body but still feel stuck? Check out Heather's coaching options. Learn more here: https://comparedtowho.me/christian-body-image-coaching-insecurity-confidence-gospel/

Today's guest and I had so much fun talking about the lie she listened to for so long that caused her to pause when God called her into action. Friend, I would like to introduce you to my friend Trudy Lonesky. Trudy is a dear friend who has a heart for young girls and their mamas. Trudy and I meet at Spark which is a podcaster's conference and hit it off right away. Trudy is a God girl. Wife. Mom of 4. Trudy Lonesky is the author of Reclaim Her Heart, a 30-day devotional for moms raising teen girls, and host of the "Kingdom Mamas" podcast. She tackles subjects few are willing to discuss and is passionate about cultivating authentic faith in the next generation. And for the month of May, we have been celebrating moms by offering different gifts. The first week we offered 25% off the Red Rover Women's conference on June 10- 11th when you use the word MOM, m-o-m. Order your tickets through hooks2crook.com/redrover2022 Plus one of the five digital copies of the 90-day prayer Journal written by Andrea Lende. The second week we gave away a copy of Beth Gukckendberge's newest book Throw the first punch focusing on spiritual warfare. I'm so excited to offer one lucky listener today a copy of Jenn's book My Yes is on the table. For you to win the copy you must fill join our email list at hooks2crook.com and on May 20th our winner will receive an email! Would you like to WIN Trudy's book Reclaim Her Heart? Join our email list at hooks2crook.com and follow us at IG@hooks2crook your membership enters you into our drawing. An email notifying the winner that YOU WON! Do you have questions or thoughts you would like to share with me? email me at info@hooks2crook.com

Jennifer Hand, Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries, wishes she could sit down and have a strong cup of coffee with each of you and ask you what makes you come alive?Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and loves the honor of traveling nationally and internationally, providing the invitation to come alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, written resources and counseling.Jenn has had the joy of serving in over 30 countries and speaking at around 40 events a year.  With her Master's degree in trauma counseling, God has opened a unique door for Jenn to respond after natural disasters around the world, providing trauma counseling and the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering.Jenn would love to keep up with you in her cozy internet corner of the world at www.comingaliveministries.com or on social media @comingalivejenn or Jenn@comingaliveministries on facebook. LISTEN TO THE REAL RAW TRUTH PODCASThttps://www.robbieraugh.com/podcast​https://apple.co/3BXmOGQhttps://bit.ly/3EKU2e6 The Real. Raw. Truth. Podcast was started to engage in insightful, relevant conversations with Keri Spring and Robbie Raugh about the Mind. Body. Soul. Spirit. Each episode will focus on living life intentionally and intersecting God's Word in the real hard places that are a struggle for many. Our featured guests, spanning all areas of life, will provide valuable tools, tips or training within their area of specialty. We hope that regardless of background, fears, age or stage of life, it's something you look forward to listening to each week!

Friend, are you ready to move from "Fear Stops to Faith Steps?" That's the question my guest Jennifer Hand, Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries, would like to ask you. Jennifer wishes she could sit down and have a strong cup of coffee with each of you and ask you what makes you come alive? Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and loves the honor of traveling nationally and internationally, providing the invitation to come alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, written resources, and counseling. Jenn has had the joy of serving in over 30 countries and speaking at around 40 events a year. With her Master's degree in trauma counseling, God has opened a unique door for Jenn to respond after natural disasters around the world, providing trauma counseling and the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering. Jenn would love to connect with you. Here is how you can stay connected with Jennifer: www.comingaliveministries.com, www.myyesisonthetable.com Instagram @comingalivejenn Facebook: Jenn@comingaliveministries e-mail: comingaliveministries@gmail.com This whole month of May, we have been celebrating moms by offering different gifts. The first week we offered 25% off the Red Rover Women's Conference on June 10- 11th when you use the word MOM, m-o-m. Plus one of the five digital copies of the 90-day prayer Journal written by Andrea Lende. The second week we gave away a copy of Beth Gukckendberge's newest book Throw the First Punch focusing on spiritual warfare. Today, today we have another giveaway! Our guest today Jenn Hand wrote My Yes is on the Table. It's a book written from the perspective of Joshua before they claimed their promised land. Ladies, this book is so good. Jenn and I talk about the time she knew God was asking her to place her Yes on the table and how now that is her life's motto. I'm so excited to offer one lucky listener today a copy of Jenn's book My Yes is on the Table. For you to win the copy you must fill join our email list at hooks2crook.com and on May 20th our winner will receive an email!

The Church is called to change the world. Are you answering that call in your everyday life or are you focused only on yourself? ABOUT THE MESSAGEAt every point throughout scripture the mission of God for His people has been to have a global vision to change the entire world. This mission stills stands for us as Children of God today. Tune in as Pastor Mark Stermer shares God's heart for the world and what it means for us to be fully engaged in God's mission to be sold out world changers! ABOUT JESUSIf you want to learn more about who Jesus is and what it means to have a relationship with Him, we would love to help you on that journey:https://www.thechurch.fm/jesusFor a deeper dive into The Word of God on a daily basis check out our Free Ancient Paths Daily Devotional: https://www.thechurch.fm/ancient-paths WHO WE AREWe believe that the goal of every Christian is To Be Conformed Into the Image of Jesus Christ, and a relationship with Jesus as well as being involved in a healthy church community are both important to achieving that goal. Find out more about who we are and all that we do at https://www.thechurch.fm/about.   We would love to meet you in person! Find our locations and service times here https://www.thechurch.fm/campuses and download our smartphone app here https://pushpay.com/get?handle=saintamantcampus&source=external to access video content, daily devotionals, updates on what is going on at The Church, and so much more.  To get connected here at The Church International simply visit us here https://www.thechurch.fm/connect-track and we will walk you through all of the life giving opportunities that we have to connect with you and your family.  We want to give a special thanks to everyone who donates to what God is doing through this ministry. If you would like to partner with us through generosity and giving you can do so at https://www.thechurch.fm/give-online. SOCIAL MEDIAThe Church International:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechurchinter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechurchinternational/Website: https://www.TheChurch.FM Pastor Mark:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkAStermerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_stermer/Pastor Cindy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.stermer.9Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy_stermer/ MESSAGE BREAKDOWN00:00 Kingdom Mindset07:20 WORLD CHANGERS11:13 What We Believe23:05 World Vision29:30 Heart of the Father36:47 Who Will Go?41:31 My Yes

Jennifer Hand encourages you to move from fear stops to faith steps as you say yes to God and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Disclosure: Affiliate links are used below. If you choose to purchase through the links, we may be compensated at no additional cost to you. See full disclosure policy. Theme Music: “Found” by Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder Venture3Media/Circle of Friends Show Sponsor: Bring life to your unique purpose and creative projects with the Inspiration Doula's help and encouragement. Today's Guest: Jenn Hand, Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries and author of My Yes is on the Table, loves to take you on her crazy adventures — inviting you to laugh with her and experience the love of Jesus as you do.  Things We Talk About: My Yes is on the Table Join us at Carol Kent's Speak Up Conference Hamilton Musical Episode 23: Is Your Yes on the Table? Joshua 18:3: Possess the land 2 Chronicles 20:10-23: Worshippers went first Joshua 4: Memorial Stones Joshua 6: Battle of Jericho Joshua 10:1-15: Sun stood still Episode 39: Experience the Holy Land Word of the Year: Discipleship Numbers 13: 12 Spies Episode 107 :Telling Your Story with Kate Motaung Baby Ishmael article by Jami Amerine Coming Alive Conversations podcast with Jenn Hand Donate to Coming Alive Ministries Connect with Us: The Martha + Mary Show webpage Podcast Group on Facebook: Martha and Mary Show Sisterhood IG Handles: @leenienhuis @katie_m_reid @comingalivejenn Producer: Jeanna Lesausky Subscribe to the show and leave a rating and review.  

Jenn is welcoming her real-life best friend Michelle Humbert to the show today to celebrate the release of Jenn's new book, My Yes is On The Table.  With Michelle's help, Jenn shares the story behind her new book.  Together they discuss:   What surrender to God can look like How to trust God when surrounded by doubt Advice when facing a crossroad in life   Jenn's new book, My Yes is On The Table Jenn's appearance on The Happy Hour podcast with Jamie Ivey Gaither Music!   Connect with Jenn: Instagram Facebook Website DONATE to Coming Alive Ministries

Episode Summary:  Jenn Hand and I talk about how to move past fear and say yes to God. What does it look like to say yes to God? We cover what it means to put your yes on the table for God and move from fear stops to faith steps. When we say yes to God, we can move past fear to walk in faith into all He has for us to do.  Quotables from the episode: Putting your yes on the table begins with saying, “I want to say yes to God, but ____.” What is it that stops you from saying yes to God? We want to minister the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering. Faith is believing God in the dark for what you heard Him say in the light. Common “fear stops” are fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not being enough, etc. We can get so caught up in watching other peoples' race that we forget to pay attention to the race God has us running. As you put your “yes” on the table for God, consider writing out the word yes on paper, a post-it, even a rock, as a sign and a symbol of your desire to obediently say yes to Him.  Scripture References: Joshua 1:9 ESV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Isaiah 6:8  ESV “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Matthew 28:16 ESV “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Recommended Resources:  Subscribe at www.comingaliveministries.com and receive 4 free beautiful scripture lockscreens to help encourage you in your faith steps anytime you use your phone My Yes is On the Table by Jenn Hand Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety's Grip Free Study Guide  Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety's Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Social Media Links for Guest and Host Connect with Jenn Hand: Website / Facebook / Instagram For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety's Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Jennifer Hand is the Executive director of Coming Alive Ministries. She wishes she could sit down and have a strong cup of coffee with each of you and ask you what makes you come alive? The things that make Jenn come alive are strong coffee (did we mention Jenn loves coffee), Jesus (of course), collecting coffee mugs, missions around the world, and spoiling her nephews and nieces.  Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and loves the honor of traveling nationally and internationally providing the invitation to come alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, written resources and counseling. Jenn has had the joy of serving in over 30 countries and speaking at around 40 ladies events a year. With her Master's degree in trauma counseling, God has opened a unique door for Jenn to respond after natural disasters around the world, providing trauma counseling and the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

Isn't it time you said yes to God?   What's holding you back? The risk? The unknown? The unwillingness to shake up the comfortable status quo?  Do you tie in expectations, requests… or sometimes take that “yes” back?Today's guest, Jenn Hand, talks about her experience saying “yes” to God  in her  new book, “My Yes is on the Table”.  She encourages us to lay it ALL on the table and to truly believe ... read more

Jenn is welcoming Deb Brown back to the show, as Jenn celebrates her 40th birthday!  Deb's greatest passions are being a wife, a mom, and serving as a life coach for women to find freedom in their next brave steps.  She is founder of faithWalk Ministries, a Christian speaker, and Bible teacher.  Today they discuss:   Seeking God in our seasons of life How to be brave in the face of fear The benefits of having a life coach   Deb's previous appearance, Episode 6: Need a Dose of Brave?   Deb's book, Brave as a Girl Can Be   Jenn's new book, with Deb serving as a coach, My Yes is on The Table (use code CELEBRATEJENN for 40% discount, only here at Moody Publishers)   Hebrews 10:35-39   Connect with Deb Brown: Coaching The code for 15% off coaching is JENN15 Facebook Instagram Connect with Jenn: Instagram Facebook Website DONATE to Coming Alive Ministries

If you’re becoming a mom for the first time, it’s okay to feel lost. Rest assured that you are not alone. And while we’re conditioned to believe that once we have children, we should live for them (at the expense of our own identity), I’m here to tell you that you CAN fill multiple roles without feeling guilty about it. But how do you navigate all the feelings that come with having kids? And how can you be a great mom without losing yourself along the way? On this episode of Destined to Be, I explain how my image of who I was changed dramatically when I had kids, describing the physical, mental and emotional shifts that come with childbirth and challenging you to be honest about what you’re feeling through the process. I get real about the disconnection and guilt I felt after having my first baby and share what I did to lift myself out of postpartum depression and get closer to who I was pre-kids. Listen in for insight on how children change you for the better and learn my YES, AND approach to being both a mom and a successful entrepreneur! Key Takeaways   How my image of who I was changed dramatically when I had kids Why it’s dangerous to discredit your own feelings because ‘someone else has it worse’ The physical, mental and emotional shifts your body experiences through childbirth The disconnection and guilt I felt after having my first baby  How we’re conditioned to believe that once we have kids that’s who we are What I did to lift myself out of postpartum depression and get closer to who I was pre-kids Why it’s crucial to be honest about what you’re feeling after giving birth The value in sharing what you’re going through with a close friend, counselor or support group My YES, AND approach to being a mom and a successful entrepreneur Why I intentionally show my kiddos what I do as a business owner How children change us for the better when we own ALL of who we are Connect with Mallory  Destined to Be Podcast Destined to Be on Instagram Mallory on Instagram Level Up Entourage Facebook Group Text LEVEL UP to 586-600-8492 Resources All the Feels for How Far You’ve Come on Destined to Be EP147 Register for Mallory’s Fall Level Up Wait List Mallory’s Level Up VIP Coaching Program

I am so honored to create this content! I went through the physical storm here in Texas, snow overwhelmed the state causing water and electric outages all over. I wanted to share with you how God used the natural events and revealed the spiritual awareness to three specific areas for us to catch before going any further into 2021. 1. Recognize familiar storms and how you can not respond. 2. Gain understand of what listening is and how to be still, 3. Let you yes be YES! Distraction don't come to distract you, they come to destroy you from achieving your purpose God has called for you. Let me share with you how YES was revealed to me. After not saying and living yes , I came back to God and I said Yes. I will release and Yes I need to obey. Let NOTHING stop you from coming back to God. My YES, Your YES has to be a move of faith, a process of letting go of control and a willing to return to God. Super excited for you to hear, enjoy! Edited by VeryBossyLLC. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jgsgodlypod/message

My Yes is On the Table:  Moving from Fear Stops to Faith Steps First yes saying Yes to Jesus Every day saying I'm yours Guest: Jenn Hand Show Notes:  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My YES to Service | How to Echo | Paul McGovern by

What do you desire? What is it that you would like to create? To have? What are you lusting after? Asking for? This is your YES! My YES has been on my list for years and years now, and it is just NOW coming to fruition! I can’t wait to share with you what my YES is, but right now let’s talk about the journey from ASKING for your YES to RECEIVING your yes, and even greater if you will allow it. Ask and receive is a real thing! Did you know? Ask and receive can absolutely be instantaneous, however there are times when the universe has to move some things around to gift you what you are asking for. Don’t worry, the universe WILL deliver, but you have to STAY in your yes, STAY in your ask. Lower your barriers and just say YES to your YES! If you stay in the energy of the desire for what you are asking for, in the lust and joy of what you are asking for, you can absolutely bring it towards you. And while you are staying present with your ask the next step is to let the universe show you what choices to make so that you can have what you're asking for. How amazing and fun is that?! Allow yourself to receive. Allowing yourself to receive what you are asking for or greater! Allowing yourself to have a YES, for YOUR yes! Check out the video for more on this here: What Stops Us from Receiving Our YES? OUR MINDS! Our minds, oh do they love to play little tricks on us. They like to tell us things that are NOT productive. Things like: My ask is too grand, it's not possible for it to come to me Maybe I am crazy for desiring and asking for this There is no way it will ever be the way you are asking Be aware and READY for those thoughts to come up that are counter to what you are asking for. They will show up. It is your job to recognize them and know that they aren’t real; know that they are coming up to keep your life as it is, to stop you. I’m going to give you an inside SECRET. Are you ready? There is nothing that can stop you, except, well, YOU. How Can I Tell If I am Stopping Myself? Notice if you start making excuses. If we start making excuses, we are stopping ourselves. If we are putting ourselves down we are stopping ourselves. If we are thinking we are not enough, we are stopping ourselves. Putting energy towards those things, instead of being PRESENT with your ask, PRESENT with your YES, and you can feel it even as you read it, this is halting receiving and actually moving in the opposite direction, away from all you’re asking for. Are you saying any of the following to yourself? Oh I asked for this yesterday and it’s not here today, there’s something wrong with me, or the Universe doesn’t respond to me and my asks. Oh I asked for this a month ago and nothing has changed, it’s never going to show up for me I’m not good enough to receive what I’m asking for. Why do I think that I deserve something like this Don’t worry, I’ve done this too and I really get it! AND there’s another choice. What Can I Choose Instead of Listening to These Negative Thoughts? Don’t listen! If it doesn’t light you up, your body, your face, your very being, don’t focus on it! Instead choose to realign your focus ON your ASK, your YES! The energy of all you are asking for and what it will change and create in your life. Play with those energies. The energies of what it will be like and feel like to receive your ask. Being so present and clear and aware with what you are asking for that when these negative thoughts, feelings, or emotions arise that are counter to your YES you recognize them right away and keep going! You recognize them right away as the distractions they are, the distractions that are designed to stop you, and flick them off you like the piece of dirt they are! Can I Exponentialize My Ask and the Process? YES! Now you are probably wondering how? Let me tell you! Allow yourself to EMBODY your yes! Embody your YES fully, in your whole entire body! If you embody it,

It's time to drop the man made year of Jan to Dec and start your year of YES. My "year of YES" in 2018 changed my life forever, it was actually 2017-2018 but now 2019 has brought me a year of creating life on my terms. My YES year gave me clarity on exactly what I wanted and what I didn't want when building my business, relationships, and life!  I hope you all enjoy this 15 min Friday episode as much as I do!

My YES colleague Sarah Kustok who is killing it as our lead analyst on Nets basketball joins me to talk about the upcoming season and break down the opening loss to the Pistons.

Before Yael Shy wrote What Now: Meditation For Your Twenties and Beyond, she founded MindfulNYU, the largest campus-wide mindfulness initiative in the country. It's hard to imagine a time when Shy struggled with meditation, but to hear her tell the story of accomplishing this big goal, being mindful wasn't always easy. Shy had reservations about meditation when she was first introduced to the practice in college. But a few factors during Shy's years at NYU led her to feel she was lacking the tools to cope with her stress; anxiety from 9/11, a break-up and her parents' divorce made Shy hunt for a solution. Everything changed when she decided to go on a meditation retreat. "It transformed my life," Shy explains. "It helped me see the roots of a lot of what my anxiety was built on." From that retreat, Shy grew her own practice. In 2009, she co-launched MindfulNYU as a small group that met to meditate. Every week, that group's numbers increased and today it's become something special. Mindful NYU offers classes every day of the week, offers sub-groups, retreats, workshops and yoga twice a day every day. I've never really committed to a regular meditation practice. Sure, I enjoy five minutes of meditation at the end of a yoga class, but I'm not one to throw down a meditation pillow on my own. The growth of this community at NYU makes me wonder - What don't I know about this practice that seems to be so eye-opening for everyone who makes it a habit? The biggest misconception about meditation, Yael says, is that it's about being Zen. "It can be excruciatingly difficult to be with what is, even if you don't like it," Shy said. "Even if you want to escape with all of your mind, it's a commitment to come back. Because that's where there's a chance for healing and freedom." The analogy Shy uses is one in the gym setting. In the same way the gym doesn't always feel great when you're there - we've all had those workouts that level us or make us think we're weak and over-exhausted - you know that you're ultimately getting stronger with every workout. Although meditation can be difficult when you're doing it, you're strengthening a different muscle by making the commitment to sit through the tough stuff, notice your thoughts and when your thoughts stray, set the intention to come back. Practically speaking, she also knows how hard it is to show up for meditation. A regular practice can easily be interrupted by life, but Shy offered a two tips to establish the habit for yourself. 1. Create a checklist: Because we're wired to want to see the fruits of our effort - and meditation doesn't easily lend itself to that kind of sense of accomplishment - create checklists for yourself that help you feel accomplished. That comes down to the logistics of meditation (i.e. where you sit, when you'll sit, how you build your schedule in a way that gives you time for it every day). 2. Understand why you're meditating before you start The second piece of the equation is to write down why you think it's important to meditate. Write that down on a piece of paper when you're invested in spending the time. That way, when the thought comes to mind that something else is more worth your time, you'll have your handwriting ready to help you remember why you're committing to the practice. Listen to the episode of #WeGotGoals and redefine how you see meditation for yourself. And if you like what you hear, be sure to rate it and leave a review (then hop on over to Amazon and grab a copy of Yael Shy's book). --- JAC: Welcome to #WeGotGoals, a podcast by aSweatLife.com on which we talk to high achievers about their goals. I'm Jeana Anderson Cohen; with me, I have Maggie Umberger and Kristen Geil. MU: Good morning Jeana. JAC: Good morning KG: Hi, Jeana. JAC: Hello Kristen. JAC: Maggie. You talk to Yael Shy. MU: I did. I got to speak with Yael Shy, who is the author of What Now: Meditation for your 20s and beyond. And she's also the founder of Mindful NYU, which just happens to be the largest campus wide mindfulness initiative in the country. And we got to talking about what is mindfulness and how do we define that in this day and age where it really is important, but we talked about like the should of feeling like you should meditate and what are those expectations and really what you can get out of making a commitment to do it. KG: I know I'm not alone when I say this but in theory I would love to have a meditation practice, it sounds very relaxing. But in reality I always find that I want to do something else. I want to be more active. And it just seems a little boring to be honest. And I know that’s something that Yael has dealt with when trying to bring this to campuses because sometimes it just seems like I don't want to do it task. Can you talk a little bit about how Yael views meditation and how she's sort of reconciled that to make it more accessible to everybody? MU: She came up with this really cool analogy for me to hear where you go to the gym all the time because you know you're doing something good for you but you don't always have a good time when you're at the gym. Sometimes you really hate that five minute plank that the instructor asks you to hold. And it can get really uncomfortable and really agitating and frustrating. And she equated meditation, like the actual time that you're sitting down to do it, as that potentially agitating and frustrating. But you have to have this belief and this understanding within you that you're doing something good for you that will benefit you down the line. And so that put it in perspective for me is because I think I have this really not so realistic perspective of what meditation is, that it's a Zen environment and everyone who does it is incredibly happy and just calm. But that was a cool point for us to talk and sort of jump off talking about goals with, because she did mention saying like just because you meditate doesn't mean you are Zen and calm and have no direction and goals. It's just a mindset and frame of how you approach those goals which which she then continue to talk about in the podcast. JAC: And she had one key piece of advice for people who want to start a meditation practice. Can you talk a little bit about that. MU: She gave some really sound advice about lots of steps within our interview to take to make sure that you can hold yourself accountable. But the one piece that really stuck out to me was something I've never thought to do before, which is to write down for yourself why you're doing this. So in the moments when you aren't sure that it's worth your time or that you know there's something more fun to do. You can look at that piece of paper and you can read what you wrote about what that meditation practice, and why you're setting that as a goal for yourself to stick with it. JAC: And here is Maggie with Yael. MU: Great, so Yael, thank you so much for joining me on the #WeGotGoals podcast. It is so wonderful to get to talk to you. YS: I’m so happy to be here. Thanks for having me Maggie. MU: Absolutely. So Yael,  you are about to launch a book called What Now: Meditation for your 20s and beyond. And you're also the founder and director of mindful NYU which is the largest campus wide mindfulness initiative in the country. That’s huge. I'm very interested how you came upon mindfulness and how it started at NYU which is in the middle of the biggest craziest busiest city in the world. YS: Yes, so I came to mindfulness meditation from I was actually a student at NYU many years ago and I was feeling the stress and the crazy of the city. I was in a very difficult place in my life. I was in college and it felt like the first major time in my life I was asking a lot of questions like, what is important in this life? If everybody dies then why am I alive? And it was this  really formative moment. And at the same time I was just broken up with my parents were getting a divorce. It was around September 11th and I had some you know PTSD from 9/11 that was happening like, in my neighborhood. And it was just like a very difficult time, a lot of suffering a lot of anxiety. And I just felt like I didn't have any tools to work with any of it. And so I ended up going on a meditation retreat that really transformed my life and helped me to see a lot of the roots of what my anxiety was built on. And a lot of the roots of my suffering. And it certainly didn't solve everything in one retreat but it led me down a path where meditation and mindfulness have really completely transformed my life. And so now at the Center at NYU, which we created in 2009—a student named Elizabeth and myself basically got it going as just a little sitting group that grew and grew, and now has meditation every single day of the week and it has advanced practice, it has sub groups for our LGBTQ community and our people of color community. It has retreats and workshops and yoga twice a day every day and just a lot going on. So it’s really blossomed into a really thriving place. MU: Incredible. That's amazing to have done in not a lot of time because meditation is a buzzword and I think people have certain reservations about it. And I think that it's pretty incredible that you sort of cut through that clutter and just made a statement like this is important and people are getting on board. MU: Yes well, and I kind of get it. I've had a lot of the same reservations. I did have when I first started meditating I had no connection to it at all. When I went on my first meditation retreat I had no idea what I was getting into and I thought meditation was boring and I thought yoga even was like pretty boring. It was not in my frame of reference. And over the years it's just really to me it's a buzz word for meaning, learning to open up to life to be with what is and to be with oneself and in a way that helps me to really experience life in a richer way and to have more compassion for myself and for others and that connects me to this larger vitality that is life. Whereas like the everyday can sometimes feel dry or meaningless or just disconnected. Meditation to me feels like a way to connect in. So that's really how we teach it and what it means to me. MU: And I I want to say that I get that but I am also like in that camp of I know I say I should meditate more but I don't do it. It's like I want to roll out my mat and do it and then I don't. One thing that really sticks out to me that that you say is that essentially what meditation is is being here in the present and happy or just content with what is which is really interesting in the context of this conversation around goals because it almost is counterintuitive because goals is all about not where you are but where you're going. So I'm I'm interested in your take on goals in general. 08:16 YS: Yes. It’s such a good question and such a good insight. I wouldn’t say that meditation is about being happy or even—others might say this, but I'm not sure I would say it's about being content with what is because sometimes what is, what's going on in the present moment, is extremely painful or really difficult to be with. And in meditation, like, we make the commitment and we make the effort to be there anyway to bring our attention there to breathe through it to soften with whatever is going on, and you know it could be emotional pain it could be physical pain it could just be like a really scary moment. And to really try and drop into what is happening but it might be excruciatingly difficult. And so I guess I would just kind of readjust that to just say, to be with what is even if you don't like it and if it's like I want to escape this with all of my mind and all of my being. It's a commitment to keep trying to come back because there in the present moment, being with whatever is happening, is I think our chance for healing and our chance for freedom in that in that moment. But then to go to the question of goals and kind of connect it to goals. For a lot of people I think their kind of resistance to meditation—and I have this as well—is, oh, it’s going to make me be kind of like a lump like a lazy happy with what is kind of person. And I'm never going to accomplish the things I want to accomplish. I'm never going to amount to anything if I just like sat there and breathed and was happy all the time. **And I don't mean to be flippant about it it's a real struggle of like how much do we need to push ourselves and drive ourselves forward and how much do we just need to be still and to not be doing any action and to just be rather than to do? And on the one hand I do think that it's a slightly false split because the goals that I've been able to accomplish like I would say starting the meditation center or like writing my book, I had to actually create this idea in my mind before actually doing it so I had a goal or a kind of direction I wanted to go in and I thought about it and I shaped it and I dreamed about it. And all of the stuff that one does with goals that you're excited about and at the same time I think what the meditation practice has helped me do—and I’m definitely not always successful at this but it's helped me to hold that end result with a loose hand so that if my goal was to finish this book by January, which it was originally last January, and it did not get finished by January. It's not like a tragedy of epic proportions. It’s not like frustrating and painful it might be for a minute but it's the idea is that once you set the goal, if things come in that change and the world has a role to play in sending you deviations or sending obstacles and those obstacles and deviations might be exactly what you needed to produce something even more beautiful than you had originally thought. And the only way you can know that is if you're holding your goals with kind of flexibility and looseness and remaining light on your feet. And so that's sort of how I operate in relation to goals, like it's almost like, you know you you set an intention in your mind I'm going to go to the store today and you're walking in the direction of the store and you know what you want to buy when you get to the store. And then somebody stops you on the way to the store and you can just you know be angry or try and get away from the person to get to your goal or let's say that person stopping you would tell you that there's a much better store in a different direction and that's the way you need to go. MU: That's super interesting for me to hear because I definitely resonate with that line that you walk between being too flippant about just not caring about your choices and then being ok with what happens and unfolds and just being with what unfolds. I think that is something that I learned or that I was conditioned in college to go after a big goal and to have huge aspirations and to work really hard and stay up really late. So I think that you working in the realm of a university has probably lots lots of rich territory to explore. Would you agree? YS: Yes absolutely. My students constantly are in various stages of both the excitement of that realm, and being like, you know I'm chasing my dreams or working towards my dreams and I'm exploring new territory and it's all there, that like pregnancy of possibility. And I think just like you know anyone else I think it's a time of like a lot of pressure and a lot of stress and some people don't exactly know what they want to be doing and that’s its own sort of suffering just not knowing what your should be. And or just feeling like, I have a student that's on them premed track and it is just one crushing week after another. He's struggling to make these grades better, just working so hard and still struggling so much. And so it's really both sides of the equation, it’s everything at that time when you're really in a university setting, I think, trying to really figure out who you are and what your future is going to look like. MU: Can you speak a little bit about all of the different types of students that come in that maybe have the really stressful tracks versus the less stressful tracks. Because it runs the gamut I'm sure. And how do you speak differently to people that have it in their head that they're going to go through med school and law school and it’s, the odds are against them versus those who are already open and primed for meditation. YS: Well it's interesting. I think the Buddha had a line that said meditation is sort of like playing a stringed instrument. If the strings are too tight on the instrument and you start to play it the strings are going to snap. If they're too loose and you try and play it, there's going to be no music that can come out. You know, you can't play anything. So what you want is to exactly tighten the strings to just the right level that you can play music and it's sort of the same with ourselves in our bodies. It can be true in each person just like it's true, different types of people that were sometimes going too hard and clutching too tightly to a world that we can't control and we have to learn to loosen or we're going to snap. We might have already snapped. And so it’s just this practice of like constantly practicing letting go, constantly practicing softening and easing and being kind to ourselves and relaxing. And then the other side is the other place where we've all I'm sure been to some degree or another where you're just too loose and you're not—you really need to tighten up a little bit of a discipline so that you can go to a place that you know is better for you. Like the equivalency would be to people—I’m like this constantly where a couple of weeks will go by and I'll be like I haven't been to the gym in like a month and I know I feel better after going to the gym. I know it's so good for my health. I just, am too, I've loosened up to a degree that it's not good for me and I know I can do better. And then it's time to not beat myself up about it but just tighten the strings a little, to build it into the schedule and to follow that path. So I think the teaching changes based on the person but it also is based on the moment that that person has been at that time. So you started this meditation center, you started Mindful NYU and you have now written a book. These are all really big goals would you say that these are the big goals that you would really want to say aloud that you're proud of? Is there anything maybe more personal or something different that is something that’s happened for you because of or through meditation? YS: Well to be totally honest with you these things are wonderful and I do feel like they're the fruits of the practice for sure. But I actually think maybe the biggest goal that I had that was even bigger than like a goal it was like the biggest dream of my life was to meet a partner actually and to like be with someone like a life partner. And for years—I got married very late. I met my now husband. You know not very late but a little later in life. I was 33 and I just never thought it was possible. For so many years I didn't date anyone. I was so closed and scared and carrying just so many blocks to love and to intimacy and then that I believe is like a direct correlation to meditation and to therapy that I could work with those blocks and work with all of that pain and fear around dating and all of that and then to find someone and someone I love so much that I'm currently married to and that we have one baby and another baby on the way. And so I think like that was probably, if I had to point to one piece of evidence, like if you had met me ten years ago and met me now that that would be the most major thing that has changed, that I think I've let love into my life in a bigger way. MU: That is so awesome that simply doing less can lead to so much more. YS: Yeah, well, and the process is not easy and I want to kind of like support people that like you mentioned people that they like oh I want to meditate. And I just haven’t, or I’ve tried. And it's so hard. I feel like it's just a failure because I was really in that boat and I know that it is really difficult process and takes a lot of like continually coming back and learning to really forgive yourself over and over again. But it really bears fruit at least it has for me and for a lot of the people that I know. MU: You bring up a very good point because when I think about how I say this in my head and I know a lot of people do because there is more focus around your whole health and wellness. Today the people that do say I should meditate and I want to meditate more but because I believe we are pretty goal focused people in terms of tangibility—what can we say we've done and see that we've accomplished. Mindfulness isn't something you can really see and check off the list. And so people that maybe meditating regularly is a goal or mindfulness is a goal that almost flips it on its head, like how do you accomplish that versus even how do you use that to accomplish your goals? And so in your experience what are the things that people get tripped up on or where can people practice and sort of start to feel the success? And I'm sure it's different for everybody. So that's a hard question YS:  But it's a really good question and a fair question because we're wired to want to see the fruits of our action. It makes perfect sense. And so I think that the where people get tripped up, it is different for everybody but I think it seems to fall into two main categories. One is the logistics of it, the feeling like I have no time when am I going to do this. And that is really a question of how can you build it into your schedule and into your life that will make sense and that will fit as much as you can into your day. So for instance when I had lapsed on my meditation my regular meditation for a while I said to myself, okay where can I put it, actually physically put it into my calendar as if it was a meeting so that it would pop up and I had to go, and it is isn't meeting it's like a meeting with me and the world that is my time to say hello to myself and to open up to the world. And so first I started there. Then I asked myself, what can I do to make that time the most easy. So I place my meditation cushion in exactly the place where I needed it to be every day at that morning for meditation the night before. And I would get my slippers next to the bed, so all I had to do was put my feet in there and walk over to try to make the situation as easy as possible to make this thing happen and then I had to write out and articulate for myself, why do I think this is important? So that I can hold that really close because those times when it was I was so tired or just felt like there’s a million other things I could be doing. I had to look at that and say I believe this is important because it leads to greater wellbeing and greater happiness in general. I know that is true and therefore I'm going to go do it. So I sort of had to do this a lot of this work and that's what I really recommend doing, just to logistically build it into your schedule and build a habit out of it. Then the other place where I think people including myself get tripped up or resist meditating is that it feel I want to say hard. But the reason why it feels hard is often because the voice that comes up in our minds when we're trying to pay attention to our breath or pay attention to our emotions and we, our minds wander away which they naturally do. The kind of judgmental and cruel voice that comes in can be really really harsh and can say like you're failing you're not good at this, you're not a good meditator. Fill in the blank of how your own critical voice sounds. You know you'll always fail at everything whatever it is. And that for a long time prevented me—I just couldn't handle it because I could only stay present for let's say a few seconds out of an hourlong meditation and then I just felt like such a failure afterwards. And not only do I feel like a failure, I felt like I had to sit with this voice that was like yelling at me about it and I just didn't want to do it anymore. And so from that side I think really trying to redefine meditation that it is not about clearing away your thoughts and it's not about going, you know, staying focused on your breath which is a nearly impossible task to do because we're not in charge of our minds our minds wander. And so instead of that, to really redefined meditation as it is this process of the mind wandering away and us waking up to look at the contents of our mind. Oh it's interesting. I'm thinking a lot about you know this thing I'm planning I must care a lot about that. OK that's what I'm thinking about coming back. I’m thinking about what that person said to me and I'm really hurt by it. Come back and feel the hurt. You know whatever it is that you're thinking about, these are not, your thoughts are not the enemy. It’s a matter of continually bringing your attention back now and that’s the practice. Going away and coming back going away and coming back and really strengthening that muscle of being with what is there, what’s there in the present. So those are sort of my two big tips. There's a lot more in the book to help surmount a lot of the obstacles because I'm telling you I was never like a star meditator. I've never gotten to a place where my mind is completely cleared and so I try to write the book from that place from the place like fidgety anxiety difficult stress place and still sitting through it. MU: I like hearing the exercise of it being like a muscle to exercise because I can relate to, the more pushups I do the stronger my arms get. And then I have to take the time to get through some of the the bad workouts to get to some of the more fruitful ones. YS: Exactly. And I think it's sort of we've sort of done a disservice in the public way of talking about meditation as just this like really relaxing activity. It can be relaxing but in my experience it can also be extremely agitating and just understanding that the same way the gym does not always feel good when you're doing it, sometimes meditation can really be difficult and agitating and just really believing, same thing with therapy that that going through this process will bring more healing more love more connection. MY: Yes absolutely. So one last question I guess then it's even though we talk about holding goals with a loose hand if you're looking ahead after the launch of your book or beyond that, what do you have in your mind that you'd like to go after? YS: Well my next baby is due in March. So I think from now till March I kind of have a shorter term goal of working hard to try and get the book out there and to let people know about it and to talk about it and write about it so that it can get out there and help as many people as possible and sort of has its own life and after March I think I'm setting my goals on just like keeping the kids alive just keeping myself and my husband like as sane as possible in this crazy crazy process. And beyond that, I’m not really sure. I’m kind of I'm waiting to see him opening up to what feels like the right next step the right next project to be working on. But I'm not really sure yet. So have to stay tuned for that. MU: Well we will be looking forward to hearing what you do next. And people can buy What Now: Meditation for your 20s and beyond, starting now. YS: Yeah, it’s out there, it’s on Amazon it's anywhere your books are sold. So definitely check it out. MU: Awesome thank you so much Yael for joining me and for talking about meditation in a very accessible way. It's been it's been a treat. YS: Thank you so much, thanks for having me. CK: This podcast is produced by me Cindy Kuzma and it's another thing that's better with friends. So please share it with yours. You can subscribe where ever you get your podcasts. And if you get a chance leave us a rating or a view on Apple podcast we would be so grateful. Special thanks to J. Mano for our theme music; to our guest this week, Yael Shy; and to Tech Nexus for the recording studio.

This morning we talk deeply with Anthony B about the mainstream Dancehall and the reasons why Reggae bonds people worldwide as a pop-genre of the century. We agree with Anthony that reggae is like good slow cooked food and bonds people from many different cultures. Many don't get a chance to be an 'artist' and educate the world about Jamaica as the voice of the working class but he makes use of his 'instrument of influence' to make a significance social stance. Anthony B talks about his image in the public eye, how his current single, a lyrical love song, 'My Yes and My No'. In his song, 'Headline' we touch the topic how everybody wants to make the news, 'yet so many artists put out so many lyrics and content but don't take the time to listen and we know', because 'words to an artist is not a joke'. At the end you're gonna wanna hear the 'No bun fi bun' stance he takes in 'Statement' and salute our families in Ghana, Kenya and Gambia.   Sweet Jamaica My Yes and My No Full Anthony B Interview Headlines Statement Teaser   Sunsplash Mix Show is 10am-1pm (EST) Mornings on www.DaFlavaRadio.com/index.php Reggae + Dancehall + Interviews #Atlanta #TheGambia #RadioWestIndies #Connecticut sponsored by: Caribbean International Shipping Services CY Clothing Inc. • Startime Computers & www.JayForce.com