A New Way to Summer: 10 Ways to Slow Down This Year Episode Description

What if this summer doesn't have to be another season of cramming in as much activity and productivity as possible? In this vulnerable and transformative episode, host Cherisse shares her heart about choosing a different way to summer - one that prioritizes rest, restoration, and the health of our souls.

With shaky hands and an open heart, Cherisse announces she's taking her first sabbatical in 26 years of business, and invites you to join her in discovering what it looks like to summer slowly, restfully, and with intention. Drawing wisdom from Abraham Joshua Heschel's "The Sabbath" and insights from recent guest conversations, this episode offers both inspiration and practical guidance for creating sacred rhythms this summer.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

10 Practical Ways to Slow Down This Summer:

1. Release the Summer Performance Pressure - Stop trying to make your life Instagram-worthy and start living fully in each moment
2. Embrace Morning Sacred Solitude - Create a daily rhythm of meeting with the Lord before the chaos begins
3. Practice Holy Leisure in Nature - Discover "thin places" where heaven feels close to earth
4. Create Rhythms of Preparation and Rest - Learn how preparation makes true rest possible
5. Redefine Summer Success - Measure success by the state of your soul, not activities completed
6. Practice the Discipline of Saying No - Guard your "palace in time" from invasions of busyness
7. Embrace Contemplative Practices in Ordinary Moments - Transform daily tasks into opportunities for prayer
8. Create Space for Holy Boredom - Let creativity and wonder emerge naturally
9. Honor Your Body's Summer Rhythm - Treat your body as a temple to be honored, not a machine to be optimized
10. Practice Sabbatical Thinking - Ask "What do you have for me today, Lord?" instead of demanding your agenda be blessed

Key Scripture & Quotes Featured:

Isaiah 30:15: "In quietness and trust shall be your strength. In returning and rest you shall be saved."

Ruth Haley Barton: "We cannot give what we do not have."

Abraham Joshua Heschel: "Sabbath is not for the sake of weekdays, but weekdays are for the sake of the Sabbath."

John Ortberg: "Hurry is not of the devil. Hurry IS the devil."

Special Announcement: Summer Soul Care Series

While Cherisse steps into her sabbatical this summer, she's prepared a special gift for listeners - a Summer Soul Care series based on John Ortberg's book "Soul Keeping" that will release every Thursday in June. This series requires no prep work - simply press play and receive the soul care you need.

How to Go Deeper:

• Order "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg on Amazon or grab it on Audible/Spotify
• Invite friends to join you for intentional summer soul care
• Gather virtually or in person to discuss what God is stirring in your hearts
• Create your own summer soul care community right where you are

A Personal Prayer for Your Summer

The episode closes with a beautiful prayer for opening clenched fists, embracing rest as a gift rather than a challenge to conquer, and finding courage to keep our souls intact even if it means disappointing others. This prayer reminds us that our worth isn't measured by productivity, but by whose we are.

Connect with Cherisse & Join the Journey

🌿 Stay Connected:

• Visit www.cherissehixson.com for resources and inspiration
• Sign up for our Weekly Rhythms Email to receive encouragement and support throughout your rest and renewal journey
• Get exclusive content and behind-the-scenes updates

📧 Join Our Summer Soul Care Community: Sign up at www.cherissehixson.com to receive:

• Weekly encouragement emails to accompany the Summer Soul Care series
• Discussion guides and reflection questions
• Community support as we journey together through soul care practices
• Updates from Cherisse during her sabbatical season

📱 Follow on Social Media: While Cherisse will be stepping away from social media during her sabbatical, you can still connect through email and share how the Summer Soul Care series is ministering to your soul.

Resources Mentioned:

• "The Sabbath" by Abraham Joshua Heschel - Available on Amazon
• "Soul Keeping" by John Ortberg - Available on Amazon, Audible, and Spotify
• Previous episodes featuring Allison Bradsher, Pam Shaw, Betsy Pendergrass, Linda Toupin, K.T Martin, Nancy Holcomb, Mollie Walker, Danielle Bowlen, and Camille Brantley

Perfect for Listeners Who:

• Feel weary from the constant pace and pull of life
• Want to break free from the pressure to optimize every moment
• Are seeking practical ways to rest and restore their souls
• Desire to model healthy rhythms for their families
• Want to discover what sacred summer rhythms can look like
• Are ready to prioritize being over achieving
• Need permission to slow down and embrace rest

Episode Reflection Questions:

1. What would it look like for you to "summer slowly" this year?
2. Which of the 10 ways to slow down resonates most with your current season?
3. How can you release the pressure to make your summer "Instagram-worthy"?
4. What is your soul asking for that you've been pushing down?
5. How might God be inviting you to open your clenched fists this summer?

Remember, friends: You are not a human doing, but a human being. Beloved, known, and held by the God who rested on the seventh day not because He was tired, but because rest is sacred.

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