The Gift of Presence: Finding Joy Beyond the Noise

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Well, hello, my valued listeners, and welcome back to another episode of Living in Your Power.
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I'm your host, Dr. Marlene Greenleaf, and this month we are unwrapping something
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truly special in our December series,
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The Gift of Presence, Finding Joy, Faith, and Focus in the Season.
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Now last week we talked about reclaiming stillness Slowing down enough to actually feel God's presence,
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And today we're talking about something just as powerful It's finding joy beyond
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a noise Because while the world gets louder Joy invites us to listen deeper,
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So our episode today is entitled, The Gift of Presence,
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Finding Joy Beyond the Noise.
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Now let's start here. Happiness and joy are not the same thing. No.
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Happiness is an emotion. It's reactive, fleeting, and tied to circumstances.
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Whereas joy, on the other hand, is a decision It's rooted in something greater
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than what's happening around you,
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You know, while happiness says I'll smile when everything goes right,
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Joy says Even when it doesn't I'll trust that God is still good,
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Now Nehemiah 8.10 reminds us, Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
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Now that means joy isn't just a feeling. It's fuel.
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It's what carries you through challenges, keeps you steady when others lose
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balance, and reminds you that no matter what's going on,
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Externally, something divine is holding you internally.
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Now we live in a world that confuses noise with significance, in my opinion.
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I mean, we think the more we do, the louder we speak, the fuller our schedule,
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the more valuable we are.
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But noise often numbs us it distracts us from gratitude from peace from presence,
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and if you ever felt yourself losing joy it might not be because life is bad,
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it might be because life is too loud i mean sometimes the noise it isn't even
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external It's our own inner critic It's the voice that says You should be free
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along You're not doing enough You're failing,
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That imposter syndrome But God's joy silences that noise It reminds us that
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we are loved Chosen And already enough.
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So how do you reclaim your joy, you may ask? Well, I'm glad you did.
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Here are three ways to align your life with lasting joy.
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First, guard your inputs. And what I mean by that is what you consume on social
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media, the news, conversations, they affect your spirit.
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So ask yourself, does this feed my peace or my presence?
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And if it doesn't, then you know that this is not the direction of what you should be listening to.
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So feed your faith instead.
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Second, practice gratitude daily. Daily.
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Joy and gratitude are inseparable. So every night, write down three moments,
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big or small, that made you smile or breathe easier that day.
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And third, serve from a full cup.
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Joy grows when you pour into others from overflow. Remember we talked about that? Not exhaustion.
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Ask God to fill you first so that you can give to others and what you give can
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be life-giving and not draining,
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so I'm going to repeat these first,
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guard your inputs practice gratitude daily and serve from a full cup.
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Now, I believe joy in leadership and life.
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Now, as women leaders, as visionaries, nurturers, and change-makers,
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we sometimes believe that strength means pushing through everything.
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But true leadership is about leading with joy, not burnout.
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Joy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've learned to find beauty
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in the imperfect, to choose gratitude over grumbling,
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peace over panic, and laughter over limitation.
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Now, when people encounter you, they should feel that joy.
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Not because life is easy, remember, but because your spirit is anchored.
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Anchored in joy, gratitude, thankfulness.
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So here's your empowerment prompts for this week. I want you to take a joy inventory.
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Ask yourself, what currently steals my joy?
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What restores it? And where is God inviting me to create space for laughter, rest, or renewal? will.
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Then pray the simple affirmation each morning this week.
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Say, God, today I choose joy, not because everything is perfect, but because you are.
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And let that prayer guide how you show up in every space this week.
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In your home, your workplace, and your heart.
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So in closing dear listeners, understand that joy isn't something you chase.
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It's something you cultivate. It's a sacred reminder that even in chaos you
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can still dance with peace. So this week, find your rhythm again.
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I want you to laugh more, breathe deeper, and let gratitude lead.
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Because joy, real joy, is not found in the noise of the season,
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but in the stillness of His presence.
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So thank you for joining me today on another episode of Living in Your Power.
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And I will see or hear from you next week for our third episode.
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Fate over Frenzy, Keeping Christ at the Center.
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I want to thank you again for listening in.
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And I want you to remember until next time to live boldly in your power.
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And if it gets tough just breathe,
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you've still got the strength to rise so until next time dear listeners I want
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you to continue to live in your power,
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and find your joy find your joy remember it isn't something you chase.