About 10 years ago, I wasn't doing any of the things I'm doing now. I wasn't writing books. I wasn't hosting podcasts. I was sitting at home and watching other women go first. A lot of us find someone who is doing what we want to do and we follow them and root for them and listen closely when they speak. I was at home watching Rebekah Lyons. I've loved her from the moment I heard her speak. This might surprise some of you, after hearing this interview, because we couldn't be more different. She is all love, light, kindness and gracefulness.

I've watched her long enough to know that what she speaks she walks. That's all you can ask for. Put people in front of me who are paving the way with truth, candor, and authenticity. She is all of these things. As we wrap up the series on rest, sabbath, pause, uncluttering, slowing down and being intentional we couldn't have found a better guest to end it with.

Rebekah Lyons is a national speaker and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose, You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are and Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning. An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah reveals her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression—and invites others to discover and boldly pursue their God-given purpose from a place of freedom. Finding joy in raising a special needs child—Rebekah wears her heart on her sleeve, a benefit to friends and readers alike.

Show Notes:

• [03:05] Rebekah was one of the first people that Melissa followed on Instagram.
• [04:16] Rebekah and her husband run a non-profit.
• [06:37] The first time Rebekah spoke publicly, she was vulnerable about her journey.
• [08:50] Freefall to Fly was a chronicle of Rebekah's crash and burn. Her family moved from Atlanta to New York City. She tells a lot of stories about this season and how she wanted to run back to the South.
• [12:11] God put her in a place that she wasn't excited about, but those were the transformative times in her life.
• [13:02] Rebekah started experiencing claustrophobia. She would take stairs to avoid elevators and stopped riding the subway.
• [13:31] She was outgoing and energetic but became a shell of who she was because she couldn't go anywhere.
• [14:12] There are different panic attack triggers for different people.
• [15:50] Rebekah had a relapse, but then had to ask if she was a fraud in her next book. Her patterns of chronic stress had to be reformed.
• [17:50] There's renewal happening everyday.
• [18:52] Don't do the same thing over and over and expect it to be different.
• [20:09] We have to do the work. We can't fix patterns of behavior and thinking in one day.
• [23:29] Don't settle for a story someone tries to impose on you. Ask God to remind you of the story that he has already set in motion and that's part of the healing journey.
• [25:11] We're going to talk about the four rhythms or disciplines that Rebekah feels are essential to feeling less anxiety and stress.
• [25:55] They are rest, restore, connect, and create. Rest and restore are the input rhythms that fill you up. Connect and create are the output rhythms.
• [26:09] 77% of society have physical symptoms of stress. As a result, we need to rest.
• [27:37] Life starts in rhythm. Each rhythm is a different part of our health.
• [29:50] Her book has a lot of practical ways on how to slow down.
• [30:50] We don't have to share everything. Whose validation are we seeking?
• [31:31] Our worth isn't attached to what we share with other people. We are worthy of rest and indulgence.
• [34:04] Until you get quiet you can't know what your heart needs to confess.
• [36:26] Rebekah spent two days pulling weeds. She wanted to recover the passion of her vocation. She pulled weeds like distractions.
• [39:06] Sometimes we say yes to things when we shouldn't because they crowd out what we should be doing.
• [40:07] Rebekah and her family took a big risk with their adopted daughter. They moved to Nashville. They then adopted a little girl with down syndrome and her name is Joy.
• [44:29] God was there every step of the way and knew that they were going to adopt this little girl. They have had her for 14 months. \
• [47:46] Rebekah loves Franklin Juice BomBom Acai bowls.
• [49:20] Friendship is where both people are willing to be vulnerable. Both can hear and say things to each other.
• [50:08] Who would play Rebekah in a movie?????

Thanks for joining us on Ordinary People Ordinary Things. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Just like your mother taught you.

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Web Page
• Facebook Page
• @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram
• @msmelissaradke on Twitter
• Sign Up for Insider Access
• Rebekah Lyons
• Rebekah Lyons on Facebook
• Rebekah Lyons on Instagram
• Rebekah Lyons on Twitter
• Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose
• You Are Free: Be Who You Already Are
• Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning
• IF:Gathering
• Who Has Time for Eyeliner?
• Man’s Search for Meaning
• The Book of Waking Up: Experiencing the Divine Love That Reorders a Life
• Annie Downs
• Franklin Juice