Birthday Reflections: Letters to My Younger Self

Show Notes

Episode Description

On the eve of her 59th birthday, Susan shares an intimate and powerful reflection on life's decades, offering words of wisdom to her younger self at ages 8, 18, 28, 38, 48, and 58. This vulnerable and encouraging episode explores themes of spiritual growth, identity, motherhood, healing, and the beautiful realization that it's never too late to become who God designed you to be.

Childhood Wonder (Age 8)

• Early spiritual curiosity and connection with God
• The importance of pressing into questions about faith
• Creative expression as a God-given gift

Young Adult Restlessness (Age 18)

• Understanding the restlessness of youth
• Learning that no one can give you permission to be who God made you to be
• Navigating depression and feeling ungrounded during major life transitions

Building Life (Age 28)

• The "beautiful blur" of raising young children
• Finding truth in overwhelming seasons
• Creating family life against cultural expectations
• The importance of feeling your feelings and talking to God

Growing Stronger (Age 38)

• Learning to say no to controlling voices
• Finding courage to walk out of spaces you were never meant to be in
• The secret strength you already possess

Health and Healing (Age 48)

• Trusting God's timing in healing journeys
• Understanding perseverance through difficult seasons
• Discovering that God's gifts often look different than our expectations
• The blessing of grandchildren during hard times

Coming Home (Age 58)

• Life becoming a natural outflow of what's in your heart
• Feeling more alive and expectant than ever
• Your whole life becoming a song of worship

"You can't mess it up. You can turn away from it, but you can't mess it up."

"God is no respecter of persons, and what he's done for me, he'll do for you."

"When you show up as you are, you image your creator, and you bring him to light."

"It's never too late. No matter which decade you find yourself in... it's never too late."

• God designed you uniquely to be exactly who you are
• Every season of life, even the difficult ones, contributes to who you become
• You're never behind on God's timetable for your life
• The desires of your heart that God placed there will be fulfilled, often in ways you don't expect
• Authenticity with God about your feelings and struggles leads to growth and healing

• Which decade resonated most with your current season?
• How has God shown his faithfulness in your story?
• What would you tell your younger self?
• Where do you need to trust God's timing more deeply?

This episode is perfect for anyone feeling stuck, questioning their path, or wondering if it's too late to pursue God's purposes for their life. Susan's transparency and wisdom offer hope that every season has purpose and beauty in God's greater story.

Hope In The Midst of the Hard

Episode Description

Feeling trapped in what seems like the hardest, most endless season of your life? This episode is specifically for you. While many talk about setting intentions and mapping out 90-day goals, sometimes you're just trying to survive the next 90 days.

In this heartfelt message, we explore the profound truth that while we often pray for God to change our circumstances, the real gift comes when God changes us instead. This isn't the answer we want to hear when we're struggling, but it becomes the most beautiful transformation of our lives.

God's Presence in Your Present Season

• Your God is with you right now, exactly where you are
• Perfect peace and love are available in this very moment
• You don't have to wait for circumstances to change to experience God's goodness

The Gift of Transformation

• Sometimes the answer isn't changed circumstances, but a changed heart
• God knows what we need better than we do
• Becoming whole in the midst of difficulty, not just in spite of it

Hope Renewed

• God has not forgotten about you
• You have plans and purposes through what you're experiencing
• Look for where God is showing up in your story right now

• Where is God showing up in your life right now, in this season?
• How might God be working to transform you through your current circumstances?
• What would it look like to open your heart to change, even if your situation doesn't change?

"God, stir up the hope in my life. Let me see you. Let me see where you are at work in my life."

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with someone who might need to hear this message of hope today.

Summer Journal:

On SusanBeth.com - https://bit.ly/seasonal-journal

On Amazon - https://bit.ly/449b43Z

FREE Gift: "How To Create A Summer Sabbath Rhythm:" https://bit.ly/summer-sabbath

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@sheissusanbeth

Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterest

Seasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7

13 Weeks to Transform Your Life: Why Summer Goals Work Better Than New Year Resolutions

Episode Description

What if instead of forcing fresh starts in the dead of winter, you learned to move with God's natural rhythms? In this episode, we explore how aligning our dreams and goals with the seasons can create supernatural transformation in our lives.

Right now, we're in the first week of summer—and that means we have exactly 13 weeks to let this season transform one area of your life. Discover why seasonal goal-setting is so much more powerful than traditional New Year's resolutions and how you can partner with God's divine rhythm to see real, meaningful change.

Why Seasonal Goal-Setting Works:

• 13 weeks is long enough to create meaningful change but short enough to see the finish line
• You're partnering with the natural energy of growth and expansion that's already flowing in creation
• Working with God's rhythm instead of against it creates supernatural support

The Summer Transformation Process:

1. Get quiet and ask: "What is one area of my life that God is inviting me to focus on this summer?"
2. Envision where you want to be when autumn arrives—how would it feel and what would be different?
3. Identify one small step you can take this week to move toward that vision

Remember: The goal isn't perfection—it's intention. Even if you don't reach exactly where you hoped to be, the act of showing up and moving forward with purpose will transform you on a cellular level.

• What area of your life is God whispering for you to focus on this summer?
• Where do you want to be when autumn arrives?
• What's one small step you can take this week to move forward?

• Seasonal Journals (with 90-day intention tracking)
• Weekly reflection questions and prompts
• Free resources available in show notes

Share your summer intentions! Email Susan at Susan@SusanBeth.com or leave a comment—we'd love to hear what's on your heart for these next 13 weeks.

The earth is showing us exactly how to grow—not through force or pressure, but by aligning with the divine rhythm our Creator set in motion. What if this summer you said yes to abundance?

FREE Gift: "How To Create A Summer Sabbath Rhythm:" https://bit.ly/summer-sabbath

Summer Journal:

On SusanBeth.com - https://bit.ly/seasonal-journal

On Amazon - https://bit.ly/449b43Z

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@sheissusanbeth

Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterest

Seasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7

How to Create a Summer Sabbath - Episode Show Notes

Episode Summary

After taking time away to listen for God's direction, Susan Beth returns to share a powerful invitation: how to create a summer sabbath rhythm that helps you live "freely and lightly" as Jesus promised in Matthew. This episode offers practical steps to release what's weighing you down and embrace wonder, rest, and deeper connection with God during the summer season.

Opening Your Hands to God's Leading

• Walking into the new year with heart and hands open
• The courage to release and receive what God has for each season
• Trusting the Holy Spirit's work even when we don't understand it initially

The Heart Behind Seasonal Rhythms

• Why spiritual practices aren't one-size-fits-all
• The importance of connecting with the God who designed and created you
• How rhythms serve as testimony, not rules

Creating Your Summer Sabbath: A 5-Step Guide

Reflection Questions:

• What am I carrying that feels too heavy for this season?
• Where do I feel pressure to prove my worth through productivity?
• What would I release if I truly believed God's love isn't based on my performance?

Common Things to Release:

Anchor Practice Options:

Summer Sabbath Boundaries to Consider:

"Wonder is the gateway to worship, but you have to slow down enough to see it."

Daily Wonder Practices:

Wonder Journal Prompts:

A prayer for guidance in creating rhythms that draw us closer to God's heart, experiencing freedom, joy, and wonder as we keep company with Him throughout the summer season.

• Subscribe to email updates for the most current information
• Order your Summer Seasonal Journal
• Listen to She is Awakening podcast episodes every Sunday

Remember: The goal isn't to overhaul your entire spiritual life, but to choose practices that feel like coming home to yourself and to God.

Key Topics Covered

Step 1: Identify What Needs to Be Released

Step 2: Choose One Simple Spiritual Practice

Step 3: Set Gentle Boundaries with Busyness

Step 4: Create Space for Wonder

Step 5: Practice Grace with Yourself

Spring Journal:

On SusanBeth.com - https://bit.ly/seasonal-journal

On Amazon - https://amzn.to/4kwYkvx

FREE Gift 25 Ways To Bloom This Spring: https://bit.ly/25waystobloom

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@sheissusanbeth

Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterest

Seasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7

Show Notes: Episode Highlights

• Susan Beth shares a heartwarming spring tea experience with her grandchildren
• Explores the theme of unique personal purpose and divine design
• Reflects on the innocence of children and the struggle adults face with self-comparison

• Each person is uniquely created by God with specific purposes and gifts
• Comparison can hinder our ability to appreciate our individual design
• The importance of maintaining childlike faith and trust in one's inherent worth

During a spring tea with her grandchildren, Susan had a profound moment of connection. While discussing how each person is uniquely designed by God, she locked eyes with one of her younger granddaughters and was struck by the pure, unquestioning belief in her eyes.

• You are intentionally created with a specific purpose
• Your unique qualities are valuable and needed in the world
• God's love and faithfulness continue to nurture your growth

Susan encourages listeners to:

• Reflect on how God has wired them
• Rediscover their natural desires and personality
• Allow space for spiritual awakening and personal growth

Resources Mentioned:She Is Awakening Spring Journal: A 13-week journey of reflection and transformation perfectly timed with the season of renewal - On Susan Beth Website: - https://bit.ly/seasonal-journalOn Amazon - https://amzn.to/4kwYkvxFREE GUIDE: "20 Ways to Bloom This Spring" - Your Journey to Growth and Renewal - https://bit.ly/25waystobloomConnect With Me:Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterestListen to PodcastListen on Apple: https://apple.co/3XPeiasListen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Fu1sYVSeasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7Episode Highlights:Your voice contains over 100 physical and behavioral characteristics that make it uniquely yours [06:51]How vulnerability in sharing creates powerful connections with others [19:16]Why our testimonies transform both the teller and the listener [25:46]The impact of your voice in creating ripples of possibility for others [27:27]How our voices carry emotional and spiritual energy that shapes our world [32:30]Embracing your story, even if it's not one you would have chosen [36:54]_______________________Discover the Power of Your Unique VoiceIn this episode, I explore the profound importance of using your voice to share your story with the world. We all have a unique sound we were created to make—your voice is like a vocal fingerprint, containing over 100 physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish it from others! I share personal reflections on how my expression has shifted from singing to speaking over the years, and why your testimony has the power to transform both yourself and others.I discuss four powerful ways our stories create impact:Authenticity resonates truthVulnerability creates connectionTestimony transforms the tellerOur stories create ripples of possibilityYour voice matters more than you know. It carries emotional and spiritual energy that shapes your world and influences others. Even if your story isn't one you would have chosen, God can use it to create beauty and purpose.

Spring Journal:

On SusanBeth.com - https://bit.ly/seasonal-journal

On Amazon - https://amzn.to/4kwYkvx

FREE Gift 25 Ways To Bloom This Spring: https://susanbeth.myflodesk.com/25-ways-to-bloom

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@sheissusanbeth

Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterest

Seasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7

In this episode of the Susan Beth Podcast, Susan returns after a brief hiatus to share reflections from her winter season. She discusses her journey of intentional surrender and the surprising challenges she faced when trying to step back from social media and coffee - revealing the deeper spiritual lessons about our attachments and the nature of our flesh.

Susan shares a humorous yet profound story about her coffee "detox" during a speaking engagement in North Carolina, where she surprisingly lost her taste for coffee, only to deliberately retrain herself to enjoy it again once home. She draws parallels between this experience and her relationship with social media, uncovering insights about our human tendency to return to comfortable habits even when we've been freed from them.

The winter season brought moments of joy, including welcoming her sixth grandchild, Magnolia Ruth (named partly after Susan's late mother), and celebrating her son-in-law's birthday. Susan reflects on the deeper connection she feels with her mother since her passing, experiencing a relationship that transcends the physical realm.

Throughout the episode, Susan explores themes from the Winter Journal, particularly focusing on humility, surrender, and the courage to be vulnerable. She invites listeners to reflect on their own winter seasons and the wisdom they've gained before rushing into spring.

The She Is Awakening Spring Journal is now available! This 13-week journey of reflection and transformation is perfectly timed with the season of renewal. Each week guides you through thoughtful prompts that invite you to connect more deeply with yourself and your Creator. Check the link in the description to start your journey of renewal!

Also, grab your FREE guide "25 Ways to Bloom This Spring" - a soul-centered collection of practical ways to connect with God during this season of new beginnings. Link in description!

#SusanBethPodcast #SheIsAwakening #SeasonalLiving #SpiritualGrowth #SpringRenewal

In this episode of the Susan Beth Podcast, Susan discusses the importance of living intentionally and embracing our feelings as part of personal growth. She reflects on her journey of navigating life's detours and the significance of stillness and solitude in connecting with God. Susan emphasizes the value of recognizing the seasons of life and how they shape our spiritual journey, inviting listeners to seek a deeper connection with God and to be present in their lives.

FREE Journal Chapter Download: https://susanbeth.myflodesk.com/winter-journal

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@sheissusanbeth

Winter Journal: - https://amzn.to/3OXv42t

Instagram: https://bit.ly/SusanBethInstagram

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/SusanBethPinterest

Seasonal Journal Podcast: https://bit.ly/3XUdMr7

Intro & Outro Music Credit:

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com - License Free

Background Music Credit: Alexander Blu

https://www.facebook.com/AlexanderBluMusic/