Why God Cares About Self Care - Encouragements for Pursuing Wellness

Empty Spaces #5 - The Unanswered Question

This podcast episode is for the one who feels swept away by the current of uncertainty. Are the unanswered questions keeping you awake at night? Are you trying to solve life's equations, but coming up empty? Hi friend, welcome to Chronicles of a Healing Soul, where I share my own holistic healing journey to hopefully encourage you on yours!  Today, I share how I've faced a lot of uncertainty in my life recently. Enter chronic injury that forces me on disability as well as a different life trajectory than I expected. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions. Questions I still don't have answers to. Join me as I wrestle through these questions and find my grounding in something even better than knowing all the answers! Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi [https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi] Subscribe to my Substack [https://elizabethhayashi.substack.com/]! ... My Reading: "Mystery - Embracing the Unanswered Questions" by Elizabeth Hayashi Scripture Reference: John 1:5 Research Reference: Bible Hub [https://biblehub.com/lexicon/john/1-5.htm] Music Credit: Kate Kody, "Butterfly; [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kate-kody/prosecco-cafe-1/butterfly-1/]" all rights protected under the Creative Commons License; [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] minor changes made to the length of the track.

Empty Spaces #4 - Finding Worth in Unproductivity

This podcast is for the one who never feels productive enough. For the one who always wants to do more than his or her chronic pain allows. Who wants to show people how successful he/she is, but at the end of the day secretly feels like a failure... Hi friend, welcome to my 'Chronicles of a Healing Soul.' Join me as we discuss the empty space of unproductivity. Perhaps there is more value here than meets the eye. Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi [https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi] Subscribe to my Substack [https://elizabethhayashi.substack.com/]! ... My Reading: Psalm 23; "A series of diary entries" by Elizabeth Hayashi; and "'Hey Sis' - A Letter" by Elizabeth Hayashi

Empty Spaces #3 - Solitude vs Lonliness

I recorded this episode for anyone who has felt isolated due to chronic pain or illness. In fact, the invitation extends to anyone feeling lonely at all. Hello friend! I know. I get it. I've been there. And today, I am exploring the idea of loneliness. What is it? What is the core need behind loneliness? Is it possible that solitude can actually be a tool to combat loneliness? It might sound like a far reach. But hey, it's worth exploring, right? Join me today as I share some from my story and also share a poem about someone in the Bible who also felt lonely and unseen. Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi [https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi] Subscribe to my Substack [https://elizabethhayashi.substack.com/]! ... My Reading: "Woman in the Desert" by Elizabeth Hayashi References: * Here is the quote by my Substack friend who helped inspire today's conversation: "Solitude is a spiritual discipline, an intentional separating from people with the purpose of being free from the ‘need’ for people and our dependence on receiving their affirmation. Solitude also sets aside time to be alone with our Father. Loneliness is a manifestation of our dependence on the affirmations of people. Almost like a withdrawal symptom. Of course, affirmation isn’t bad in itself, but to depend on it for our peace is out of balance. Solitude counters the overbalance." (by Scott Boley; here's his Substack [http://substack.com/@scottyjim]) * Song reference: "I'll Be Here" by Joel Ansett Scriptures: * "He has also set eternity in their hearts..." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) * Psalm 139 * Genesis 16 Music Credit: Kate Kody, "Butterfly; [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kate-kody/prosecco-cafe-1/butterfly-1/]" all rights protected under the Creative Commons License; [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] minor changes made to the length of the track.

Empty Spaces #2 - Stillness asks for Surrender

Tense. Clutching tightly. Always running. Do you relate to any of these descriptions? I know I often do. I have historically preferred control over letting go. And to be fair, it's a hard thing to do! But I'm here to say that surrender is so safe. And so needed. Last episode, I explored the need for stillness. And today, I explore the heart posture behind stillness. Namely, surrender. I share a story of learned surrender in my own life. And then, I illustrate a picture of surrender through a parable of a lamb and its Shepherd.  May you know that you are not alone in clutching so tightly. May you be freed to open your hands. Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi [https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi] Subscribe to my Substack [https://elizabethhayashi.substack.com/]! ... My Reading: "Where the Wolves Stopped - A Parable" by Elizabeth Hayashi Scripture Reference: "Whom have I in heaven but you... (Psalm 73:25) Music Credit: Kate Kody, "Butterfly; [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kate-kody/prosecco-cafe-1/butterfly-1/]" all rights protected under the Creative Commons License; [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] minor changes made to the length of the track.

Empty Spaces #1 - Found in Stillness

It's funny. In this current moment, as I'm typing these words, I'm doing about four different things at once. That is the kind of person I tend to be. And maybe you can relate. I have noticed that in an attempt to 'make things okay,' we tend to slip into anxiety loops. Or we slip into denial, using noise to drown things out. Either way, it's worth leaning into the stillness and silence.  Join me, as I dive into this topic, facing the discomfort of stillness and how it just might open our minds to something better: A truth that says, "God is God. And I'm okay."   Support my Work: https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi [https://buymeacoffee.com/elizabethhayashi] Subscribe to my Substack [https://elizabethhayashi.substack.com/]! ... My Reading: "Diary Entry: January 28, 2023" by Elizabeth Hayashi; and "A Necessary Discomfort" by Elizabeth Hayashi Scripture References: * "Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10 * God's voice described as a 'still small voice': 1 Kings 19:11-13 * Verse about 'losing your life for Christ': Matthew 16:25 * My poem, "A Necessary Discomfort" is based on this verse: Isaiah 30:15 * Closing Scripture reading: Lamentations 3:24-26, 28 Music Credit: Kate Kody, "Butterfly; [https://freemusicarchive.org/music/kate-kody/prosecco-cafe-1/butterfly-1/]" all rights protected under the Creative Commons License; [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/] minor changes made to the length of the track.