If sharing your feelings in a friendship - or any close relationship - is hard, you're not alone. In this episode, I share what I learned after a difficult conversation led to a friendship explosion. But it was where I go to find peace that I hope will encourage you when life and love don't go as planned.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• what I did wrong in sharing my feelings with a friend
• what "tip" I learned about starting hard conversations from author Danielle Bayard Jackson in her book "It's Not You" about why adult friendship is so hard.
• the source of healing that is life-giving and always accessible

The Brilliant Pause is for busy humans, reminding you to slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so you can love your life. Every season hones in on something new. In season 4, we're exploring how to be more ATTENTIVE - especially to our spiritual lives and the whispers of God.

If you've ever wondered if your faith or "God" is relevant, this season is a must-listen. After taking a "pause" from this pod, I feel compelled to share what God's teaching me as I run into His loving presence with all my failures, flaws and fears. Life is hard. So it's what I sense God say that I'll share here - 'cuz it leads me to peace.

About your host: Jessie Elenbaas, is a writer, speaker, yoga teacher and marketing professional at Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. After leaving her career in 2018, Jessie experienced an identity crisis that led to a transformative faith journey - discovering a refreshing intimacy with God through a daily "brilliant pause" of meditation, strong coffee, prayer and listening. It's that peace that she hopes you'll experience as you listen and give yourself BRILLIANT PAUSES throughout the day. Because...you are worth it!

Are you tired? Weary? Burned out on religion? Tune in. Thirst can be more than a physical thing. What is the thing you resort to when boredom strikes, when dreams die, when life feels out of control? In this episode - we look at the thirsts of the soul and what Jesus offers to meet us right where we are and address what can quench our deepest longings. The void is real. Numbing is the go-to. And if its hard to quiet your mind and clear anxious thoughts, I share a vision that might help you. The goal? Is to experience peace and understand where to go for true fulfillment and sweet release. Join me for a brilliant pause - to slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so you can love this life you live.

Do you ever feel like your faith has flatlined? You believe in God, but something is missing? In this episode, you'll discover a metaphor that will help you see your spiritual life in a new way. And I'll share 5 ways to activate the Holy Spirit life inside of you.

This podcast is for busy humans who need a reminder to slow down, take a break and shift focus to what matters. In season 4, we're exploring the attentive life, which includes paying attention to your spirit - your soul - and God. It also includes paying attention to the people around you (instead of your phone - oh snap!). But you already knew that. Take a deep breath and dive in for your brilliant pause today. Hopefully, it will be the first of many.

Your host, Jessie Elenbaas, is a writer, speaker, and passionate spiritual leader in her church. She is the Associate Director at Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. And she's been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Presence and listening have become more important to her lately, and it's the gift she longs to share here.

Whether this is a season of joy or sorrow for you, light is needed to see, celebrate and get through trying times. No matter your current circumstances, there's a calling to remember - a calling that will carry you when life feels heavy and give HOPE to those who are suffering.

This is a podcast about slowing down to love life more, and this season we're paying attention to your life rhythms and soul. May the METAPHOR I share in this episode bless YOU as much as it's blessed me. Merry Christmas! From your Brilliant Pause host, Jessie.

Living attentively includes paying attention to your soul - llstening for God's Spirit to speak. In this episode, learn what awareness of God's Kingdom has to do with living freely. And discover how Adam and Eve triggered the first self-help strategy. Learn from Jesus why suffering is necessary for finding your true self and living into the freedom that God meant for you to enjoy.

Finally, what can an old fashioned donut teach you about living restored and whole, enjoying the free life in God? This and so much more awaits you in this episode.

The Brilliant Pause podcast helps you slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so you can love this life you live. Your host, Jessie Elenbaas, is a writer, speaker, and someone who has experienced radical transformation in her faith by falling apart in the midst of uncertainty only to lean in closer to God and learn the mystics' way of being still to listen and hear God speak. Welcome. I'm so glad you're here. Find more spiritual encouragement at www.jessierelenbaas.com.

You stand at a crossroads. Neither choice looks good, easy, or like what you expected? What do you do?

In today's Jedi training, we'll explore 3 voices you can listen to - each influencing the decision you make in a different way. We'll also talk about why your DISAPPOINTMENT is a teacher.

As I stood at a crossroads recently, I received a Spirit-inspired story that helped me take a step in a direction I didn't expect. To learn more, read my my latest blog post - "When at a crossroads, remember this" - at www.jessierelenbaas.com.

The Brilliant Pause podcast reminds you to slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so you can love your life. ake time for YOU, my friend. You are worth it.

Has life lost its fervor? Do you feel like something's missing, but you aren't sure what it is? Do you feel disconnected from what brings you joy?

In season 4, become a Jedi of Attentiveness. In this episode, you'll learn a mindset that cultivates awareness for where you spend your time, showing its direct impact on how you experience joy.

It's time to consider: Are you sleepwalking through life or are you truly living? Or as William Wallace in Braveheart said, "Every man dies. Not every man really lives."

Subscribe to The Brilliant Pause podcast for reminders to slow down, take a breath and shift your focus to what matters so YOU CAN LOVE THIS LIFE YOU LIVE.

In Season 4, we'll focus on becoming Jedis of Attentiveness so we can experience more freedom and joy, greater connection with ourselves, those around us and with the life force known as God.

Our Jedi training today hones in on a strategy that will help you in times of waiting. It'll also shake-up what you might be waiting to see or experience this Christmas.

In this podcast, every season is different, reflecting what I (your host, Jessie) have been learning through five years of practicing morning meditation and understanding what it truly means to be still and know myself and God.

So remember to pause, breathe and BE HERE. 'Cuz YOU. ARE. WORTH IT.