[00:00:00] Wendi: Hey sis, welcome to Beyond the Military Podcast, where faith led military women overcome burnout and create more balance. Just imagine having enough time to focus on your faith family, and have more fun while also serving as a woman leader. In this podcast, you’ll walk away with the tools to help you navigate the busy life of a military woman, organize your mind, overcome overwhelm, create a prioritization playbook, and a balance blueprint for integrating faith, family, and career.

[00:00:28] Wendi: Yeses in that order. Hi, I’m Wendi Wray , woman of God wife, mama of two army veteran and certified life coach, and I’m here to help you create a life of meaning outside of the military, a life of laughter, joy, and intentional free time. If you are ready to overcome burnout and create balance as a faith led military woman, sis, this podcast is for you.

[00:00:50] Wendi: So loosen up your laces and grab your coffee because it’s time to step into freedom and peace.

[00:00:55] Wendi: Hello ladies. And welcome to episode [00:01:00] 177. So before I actually get into the, the topic today, I want to warn you that I’m still drinking my iced coffee. I should say my espresso. And I tend to speak a lot quicker and faster when I get this caffeine going in my system. So you may need to slow down the speed of this episode, just wanting to throw it out there.

[00:01:22] Wendi: Also, when did ask you, are you in my faith led military woman community on Facebook. If not, I want to invite you right now. Policies episodes, stop what you’re doing. And I want you to head over to Facebook and just search faith led military woman community, or when you’re not driving, you could also go to Bitly https://bit.ly/beyondthemilitarygrp it’s also in the show notes. So I highly encourage it. You get in there because my goal for this upcoming month and really the rest of the year is to be as active as I [00:02:00] can in the Facebook group to help you and engage with you regarding either the podcast episode, any questions that you might have.

[00:02:07] Wendi: Anything that you, um, maybe is struggling with, that you want to share and, you know, possibly even coach you through just a simple, um, response to comment. So I want to invite you, go over there right now, and I cannot wait to meet you and learn more about what you are struggling with. And how I can possibly help you and even like more so to just connect with other military women that are not only interested in coaching, but want to really apply these tools and be serious about getting into how do we improve our mental and emotional health and how do we not only take action, but also.

[00:02:39] Wendi: Get to the next step on being more organized and having a system in place so that we can continue to compound on the, on those results that we’re wanting to. And so I want to invite you to go there. And one last thing, if you haven’t already followed me on LinkedIn, I also want to invite you there again, my goal is to be more [00:03:00] active.

[00:03:00] Wendi: Um, not only in August, but the rest of the year on social media. And I just want to connect with as many women as possible. That’s one of my goals for this year, and I just am creating this process, the system for me to not only be active on there, but also. To really just to learn along the way from, from others, from other leaders, from other influencers, from other podcasters, I am.

[00:03:25] Wendi: Just in a season where I am wanting and willing and excited and just looking forward to connecting with other humans, it’s honestly been a while now, and I’m just really excited to do so. So if you want to connect with me and that you want to ask me a question, or if there’s anything on your mind that you’d like to discuss that of course has to do with coaching, um, the transition, um, relationships, career, corporate America, really?

[00:03:51] Wendi: Anything kids, I mean, Let’s talk about kids. I need to do an episode about kids because it’s [00:04:00] so much that I’m learning just as summer of what’s happening with my kids, which again, it’s going to be a whole nother episode, but anything, any topic about coffee? Which, by the way, I want to share this and I need to share this eventually, um, across the platforms. So I am now getting into the kombucha. So I had started like two years ago. I tried them.

[00:04:22] Wendi: Kind of enjoyed them. But now I’m like hooked. I found this brand, which now I can’t think. What the name is, but it’s something mermaid. And, um, It’s just, I mean, it’s delicious. So if you’re not into kombucha is highly recommend that you get that one. Because it is. Oh, it’s called a rowdy mermaid. It’s delicious. My favorite one is pineapple. It’s amazing. I’m trying the lavender.

[00:04:51] Wendi: Um, today or tomorrow, um, and also have the ginger one available. So I’m excited. Y’all anyhow. So, if you want to connect with me, ask me any questions. [00:05:00] Come follow me on LinkedIn. Um, and also come check us out in our military winning women community group on Facebook. My goal, honestly, you guys is to have a lot of women in there that are just excited to grow, excited to improve on personal development. And that’s what all my hear about. And I just want to continue to serve and want to continue to put everything that I know on there are. Right. Well, let’s get into today’s topic.

[00:05:25] Wendi: Today, we’re talking all about choices, the power of choosing the power to choose. And we sometimes take this for granted. Excuse me. We sometimes forget that we. Have the power to choose. And I think that that is so powerful. I’m going through a couple of challenges right now in my life and my personal life.

[00:05:49] Wendi: Obviously personally life, but. Excuse me. I don’t know what’s going on here. I’m going to drink some water, but.

[00:05:57] Wendi: What I’ve. Really. Um, [00:06:00] come to figure out. And also. What’s helping me move along and really take a moment to just. Um, They just process everything that’s happening or has happened in the last year. It’s really helping me see that. Every single moment. I still have the power to choose.

[00:06:26] Wendi: And for me, that’s a blessing for you. It may also be a blessing or you may be thinking like it’s too much. I don’t want to choose. I want somebody to choose for me and trust me. I sometimes feel that way too. But I want to emphasize today. That the power to choose is not only something that is. Um, powerful in a sense where you’re making decisions, right? Because if you have choices,

[00:06:50] Wendi: And when you choose. You’re making a decision, which by the way, I need to share with you the definition as always, I tend to look up definitions just because [00:07:00] it helps me understand them better in a way or in a different way, possibly that I haven’t thought about it before. And so an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities is the way Google is defining choice.

[00:07:15] Wendi: An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. So, I don’t know about you, but I, most of the times I get super overwhelmed. When I’m looking for an exact item brand in the store, grocery store to be exact. And I get like a thousand different options, right? Like just with eggs within itself with cereal. What’s another thing.

[00:07:39] Wendi: Even the kombucha is right. Like I was literally, um, and the reason I started drinking kombucha is because I know it kind of helps you with, you know, the probiotics, prebiotics, gut health, and all that other stuff. So I’m like, let me try it out instead of reaching for tea or soda, let me go ahead and go the healthy way.

[00:07:53] Wendi: Right? Like I’m also on that journey. But when I went to whole foods to be exact. There were at [00:08:00] least. 10 different choices of cappuccinos. 10. Like, why are there so many choices? For me to choose from. And so thankfully my beautiful, healthy vegan sister-in-law was with me. And she’s like, Hey, I recommend that you try this out. And I’m like, oh, okay, great. I’m on the other brand. But this brand sounds delicious too.

[00:08:21] Wendi: Which by the way, I also want to highlight. Because I’m learning that. I shouldn’t just be throwing it. You know, brands, company names out here. No one sponsors me on here. Not yet. So I am just recommending it’s my personal favorite. As of now, as I mentioned earlier. But going back to the choices that I had.

[00:08:42] Wendi: I just want somebody to sometimes just say, Hey, Wendy. Choose a, B and C and go on about your business, right? Because there’s so many choices. So sometimes it becomes overwhelming. I don’t know about you, but I love sometimes to have choices, right? Like I love it, but then I [00:09:00] hate it. So I’m like, where can I meet in the middle? Where can I meet in the middle with having.

[00:09:05] Wendi: Thousands of choices. And of course, you know, there’s always, you know, a factor, right. That comes into play for me. When I go to the grocery store, it goes into like, okay, is it healthier? Great. Which one is going to be less expensive? Okay. Now I can make my decision. Right. And so. It sometimes becomes overwhelming and it’s sometimes an amazing.

[00:09:27] Wendi: Opportunity to have. Right. And so. Again, understanding that the power to choose is available to us. I think it’s, what’s going to make it even better. Right? And it’s not that big of a deal when we’re just looking for stuff at the grocery store. Unless, you know, there’s like an allergy or, you know, something that your child can have, and it’s crucial, right.

[00:09:53] Wendi: But thankfully in our household, we’re not allergic to. Really anything so we could literally pay, pick either. By price we [00:10:00] could pick by. Um, health, we can pick by calories, whatever it may be. So we have a ton of choices, right? So it could be great. Vast majority, or we can narrow it down. To be in simplistic.

[00:10:13] Wendi: And so I want to ask you today. You know, Is there something. That you may be putting off that. You’re like, okay. You’re, you’re not sure if that’s actually a choice that you can make. Or are you choosing. To look at it. As if you don’t have the power to choose. Because those are two separate things. So I’m going to say this again. So are you.

[00:10:41] Wendi: Looking at that circumstance, whatever it may be. Maybe it’s a challenge, something you’re facing, right. But you’re like, okay. I have a choice. Or two choices. And they both suck.

[00:10:58] Wendi: And so now, [00:11:00] because they both suck or you’re not happy with it because of what the choices are now, you’re thinking like, okay, I don’t have a choice. So you’re making it as if you don’t have the power to choose. And so I sometimes. You know the culture this right first I’m like, oh, I’m so grateful. There’s like thousands of cereals out there.

[00:11:19] Wendi: Or there, you know, more than two options, two choices that I can make. But then when I look at the choices, I’m like, none of them are going to work for me. Or none of them are going to serve me. So I’m just going to like, not choose at the moment. So not make a decision. And then here comes the worst part.

[00:11:38] Wendi: And then I’m going to complain about it. And then I’m like, oh my gosh, I can’t. You know, go this route because. I don’t have any money or, you know, those options are not what I had expected for my solution, whatever it may be. Right. And so then. You go into like taking that power away from the [00:12:00] choice that you could’ve been making.

[00:12:01] Wendi: So instead of empowering yourself for having choices available, you’re disempowering. The choice that you could make. And so. Again, the power to choose is not only something that we have been given that God has given us. You know, freedom of, well, he’s like, you know what? I’m going to give you. The ability to choose whatever you want to do.

[00:12:29] Wendi: Because that’s how good I am. And so other than the holy spirit in our lives, our greatest power. The greatest power that we possess is to choose. So I want to ask you today. What are you choosing to do? And what are you not choosing to do? Is this something that you maybe need to start? Deciding on.

[00:12:56] Wendi: Right. You have a choice. You have a choice to have a great day. [00:13:00] And I know there are circumstances that are happening, right? Like I’m going through it right now. There are circumstances that are, that I’m faced with that I didn’t decide on. At first I didn’t initiate. But I still have a choice. I still have a choice every single day to show up.

[00:13:19] Wendi: As who I am. Because of who I serve. Who I want to serve, and that is God. So I show up. Every single day with the intention. Of making a choice to one. Show up as myself to. Enjoy the day, as much as I can three. Do it in a way where it’s going to be a path of least resistance. Right? So, meaning I am not going to make my day even more difficult.

[00:13:50] Wendi: If I don’t have to. So that’s what I want you to ask yourself today. Is there something. That maybe you need to choose better on, right? Maybe you need to choose [00:14:00] two. You know, not have the argument or. Go about the conversation or the discussion or the disagreement in a different way. You get to decide, you get to choose you. Choose.

[00:14:14] Wendi: What’s best for you. And also if you’re a believer, if you are a woman of faith and a woman of God, In a Jesus follower. You have a choice to make every single moment. Trust me. The flesh is working all the time or the flesh is actually. Really asking all the time for my attention to go the other way. Right. Not the godly way, but the flesh lead desire way.

[00:14:41] Wendi: And so every single moment, every thought that I have, I have to make a choice that comes in. Like, okay. Yeah, this sucks, but how am I being grateful right now? How am I going to make this work? I have choices to make. I get to decide. How my attitude is [00:15:00] going to be for the rest of the day. I get to choose how I communicate with my team. I get to choose how I communicate with my kids. I get to choose how I communicate with my friends, with my family.

[00:15:13] Wendi: I get to choose. What shrinks I choose. I mean, I drink. I get to choose out of the 30 options out there of kombucha is and lattes. I get to choose one. And that’s the power.

[00:15:29] Wendi: To choose like you. Could literally. Have a completely different day. Based on the choices that you make today, and that means making decisions, right. Which that will be a whole nother episode. On maybe not making decisions because you only have choices that are limited and maybe are not the ones that you want, but you have choices. You have a choice to make.

[00:15:53] Wendi: So I want to offer you today to make a choice. Of one. How you’re going to show up, [00:16:00] continue to show up to. How are you going to consistently. Choose. Options that you have in a way that are going to serve you. And others around you. Instead of putting them off or instead of dismissing them. Right. Like we choose to be healthy every day. We choose to go to the gym.

[00:16:22] Wendi: We choose. To actually make a decision. You don’t have to make a decision. And you don’t have to show up to go to work. You choose to, and I know you’re going to say, well, no, I have to because I committed to this and there’s a contract and whatever, whatever, whatever. You could go AWOL, you could go Mia. You could break that contract, whatever it may be, but you’re choosing to show up maybe because there’s a paycheck at the end.

[00:16:48] Wendi: You know, as a result, maybe because you have to feed your kids. Maybe because you have to show up as a mom, right? Well, you don’t have to, you want to the, maybe it’s because you want to show up in that way. [00:17:00] You want to show up as. The mom, the wife, the leader. The one that’s, you know, wanting to pursue the side, hustle, this business, invest. You’re choosing to do that.

[00:17:14] Wendi: We have so many choices to make, right? So many, so, so many, but I want to offer you today to make.

[00:17:22] Wendi: Um, a decision based on the choices that you have, whatever it may be. Maybe a challenge that you’re going through, maybe there’s an obstacle. And you’re like, okay, now these are the choices that I have.

[00:17:33] Wendi: And it could be as simple as. Here’s choice a. And choice B. I have the option to choose one of them. Or I choose to prolong this decision. So there’s always a choice to make, right? So which one. We’re not only be more powerful. But also be more impactful. All right, ladies. I hope that this episode encourages you [00:18:00] to just continue to choose based on what’s not only going to serve God, but also serve others around you.

[00:18:06] Wendi: And be the best that will create the result. Um, that you’re looking for. Even though it may not be something that you’re looking forward to. Or as exciting as I should say.

[00:18:16] Wendi: And listen, if this episode resonated with you. And you’re like, I’m feeling stuck right now. There’s so many choices that I have to make, and I just need someone to help me make this plan. I need accountability. I want to invite you to schedule a free consultation. Call with me where you’ll spend a 45 minutes with me not only going over what you’re stuck with, or maybe the choices that you need to make decisions or the indecision.

[00:18:39] Wendi: That you’re in. And I will walk you through a step-by-step plan of exactly what’s going to help you move forward. Right. And uncover a limited beliefs that you have there. So again, I want to invite you to schedule a free consultation with me. All you have to do. Is going to www.wendiwray.com/consult also in the show notes so that you can schedule a [00:19:00] call with me. All right. Have a great rest of your week. Talk to you soon bye

[00:19:05] Wendi: hey lady. If this podcast helped you, challenged you or inspired you in some way, please leave me a written review for the show on Apple Podcast and share it with another military sister. Helping you integrate balance, prioritization and growth in your relationship with God is my ultimate calling. I’m so blessed that you are here, and please join us in the faith led military women community on Facebook at bit.ly/beyondthemilitarygrp

[00:19:31] Wendi: again, it is bit.ly/beyondthemilitarygrp all right. Talk to you soon. Bye.