Have you ever woken up already exhausted, wondering how you’ll make it through a day that feels heavier than the one before? Have you ever felt like you’re walking in the shadows, carrying more than your soul can handle, and wondered if God even sees you there?

Dr. Phyllis shares a deeply personal message about walking through the valleys of life and leaning on God’s presence when the weight feels unbearable. Drawing from her experience as a healthcare leader during the height of the pandemic, balancing unexpected caregiving responsibilities for her mother, and navigating the emotional fallout of personal and professional challenges, she opens up about what it truly means to hold on when life feels overwhelming.

Through this story, Dr. Phyllis reflects on the autopilot mindset many of us fall into—reacting to life instead of being fully present—and the moment she realized she couldn’t carry everything alone. Psalm 23:4 became a guiding light.

If you’ve ever felt overburdened, isolated, or unsure of how to move forward, this episode is a reminder that you are not forsaken. You’ll hear honest, heartfelt encouragement to pause, release the weight you’ve been holding, and lean fully into God’s guidance—even in the seasons that feel darkest.

She introduces the “HOLD” approach for getting through tough seasons:

• Honor the weight you feel
• Open your heart to God's presence
• Lean on small steps of faith
• Declare the valley as temporary

Whether you’re juggling multiple roles, navigating personal loss, or simply need hope in a difficult season, this conversation will inspire you to keep moving forward, one step at a time, with faith that you are seen, held, and supported.

Quotes from Today's Episode:

“God's presence makes the difference in your life. And so I want you to remember that you may be feeling burdened, but you're not forsaken. It's just a season.”

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​​In this episode, Dr. Phyllis opens up about navigating a season of life that looks very different from what she once imagined—balancing the care of a loved one, managing her household, stepping into retirement after decades in medical practice, and tending to her own personal and spiritual growth. With so many demands pulling her in different directions, she’s faced the reality of an ever-growing to-do list.

Dr. Phyllis shares how she’s learning to shift her perspective: rather than measuring her worth by what gets done, she’s embracing “grace for the gaps”—the space between what we plan and what actually happens. She encourages listeners to be fully present, release unrealistic expectations, and allow God’s timing to shape their days instead of living on autopilot.

Dr. Phyllis reminds us that showing up with love, embracing interruptions, and serving others is deeply fulfilling and aligns with God’s rhythm.

Practical guidance in this episode includes her FLOW method:

F: Filter the frustration – acknowledge it, but don’t let it control your day.

L: Let go of the list – your worth isn’t determined by unchecked boxes; release them to God.

O: Open to the opportunity – notice what did happen and the ways God might be working through unexpected moments.

W: Walk in grace – reset your day according to God’s rhythm, not resentment.

Dr. Phyllis encourages listeners to journal one thing they need to release and one unexpected blessing they can be thankful for. She closes with Proverbs 16:3, a reminder that trusting God with our plans brings peace and purpose.

This episode is a heartfelt reminder to give yourself grace, stay present, and trust that God fills the gaps with His perfect timing.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"It's so easy says to measure our worth by what got checked off instead of how present we were with what really mattered."

"When we measure the day only by what didn't get done, we stay stuck in resentment and frustration. But when we shift into God's rhythm, we can reset, release the gaps, and recognize the grace and flow of life."

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00:00 Unexpected Retirement Challenges

04:35 "Finding Home and Presence"

09:59 Embrace God's Rhythm for Fulfillment

14:52 "Staying Joyful and Fulfilled"

18:04 "Commit to the Lord's Guidance"

Ever feel like a past season of life was wasted? On this episode of the Own Your Yes Podcast, Dr. Phyllis reminds listeners that nothing is ever wasted when a yes is placed in God’s hands. What felt like a detour, delay, or dead end may actually have been preparation for a future breakthrough.

Dr. Phyllis shares a story about a dying key fob battery that became a powerful example of how past “failures” or missteps can equip us for the present. Every skill, lesson, and challenge contributes to growth and readiness for what comes next, even when it isn’t obvious at the time.

Listeners will learn the PREP approach—Perspective, Remember, Equip, Purpose—to reframe past seasons as seed time rather than wasted time. This episode encourages journaling, reflection, and reclaiming the value in past experiences.

Romans 8:28 reminds believers that all things work together for good. Through this episode, Dr. Phyllis emphasizes that every yes, every effort, and every season in life has meaning and purpose.

Quotes from Today’s Episode:

"Practice speaking life into your past by affirming that season equipped me for today and the future."

Let’s Connect:

http://drphyllishayesreams.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drphyllishayesreams/

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00:00 "Embrace Life's Purposeful Seasons"

05:01 "Revise Frustration: Embrace Preparation"

08:49 "Nothing Wasted: Trust Your Journey"