A Faith-Filled Reflection on Neuroscience, Seasons of Change, and Staying Warm in the Waiting
Life has a way of sending us into seasons we never planned for.
Transitions. Moves. Temporary spaces. Rooms that aren’t yours. Rhythms that feel unfamiliar.
I’m walking through one of those seasons right now.
My life is in a bit of an upheaval — not bad, just stretching.
Everything feels temporary.
My routines. My space. Even my sense of normalcy.
And in the middle of this, God keeps whispering one word to me:
Gratitude.
Not the fluffy kind.
Not the “just be thankful” kind.
But the kind that anchors your heart when everything around you feels like shifting sand.
And the beautiful thing?
Both Scripture and neuroscience agree:
Gratitude doesn’t change your circumstances — it changes your sight.
Here’s what I’m learning as I live this out in real time.
🌿
1. Gratitude Literally Rewires the Brain
Studies show that practicing gratitude activates the prefrontal cortex (focus + calm) and reduces activity in the amygdala (fear + stress).
This shift increases dopamine and serotonin — the brain’s “hope chemicals.”
In simple terms:
Gratitude trains your brain to look for God’s faithfulness instead of the enemy’s fear.
Science calls it neuroplasticity.
Scripture calls it renewing your mind.
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
I’m watching this happen inside myself — in a temporary room, sitting on a temporary chair, surrounded by temporary plans.
🌿
2. Gratitude Softens the Nervous System
When we shift from fear to thanks, the vagus nerve activates — the body’s pathway for safety, peace, and healing.
This can support:
✨ lower anxiety
✨ better sleep
✨ steadier breath
✨ reduced inflammation
✨ emotional peace
Gratitude tells your body,
“You’re safe. God’s still here.”
Even when the scenery changes.
Even when the routine shifts.
Even when the future feels foggy.
🌿
3. Gratitude Strengthens Relationships
This part amazes me.
When we express appreciation, the brain releases oxytocin — the hormone of trust, bonding, and connection.
This is why gratitude softens marriages.
Why it deepens friendships.
Why it heals family dynamics.
A grateful heart sees the good in people, not just the gaps.
It warms the space between souls.
🌿
4. Gratitude Changes the Atmosphere of Your Home
Your words set the emotional temperature.
You can walk into a room and see everything that’s wrong…
or one thing that’s good.
Gratitude shifts:
🌤 heaviness → hope
🌤 frustration → perspective
🌤 scarcity → abundance
And friend… you better believe I’m practicing that right now.
In my temporary season.
In my temporary home.
In my temporary routines.
Because even temporary places are holy ground when God is in them.
🌿
5. Faith Meets Function
Gratitude isn’t pretending everything is perfect.
It’s acknowledging God’s goodness in the middle of the imperfect.
It is choosing to trust before the breakthrough.
To praise before the promise is fulfilled.
To see God’s hand before the story is finished.
“Give thanks in all circumstances…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Not for all things…
but in all things.
And I’m choosing to believe that the very areas of my life that feel “up in the air” right now are simply places where God is still building.
I don’t know how the story ends.
But I do know Who is writing it.
And I’m excited to see how He works it all out.
🌿
6. A Simple Daily Gratitude Practice That Changes Everything
Try this for 10 days:
Each morning, write down:
1️⃣ Something God provided
2️⃣ Someone you appreciate
3️⃣ Something you’re learning
Small list.
Big transformation.
This practice warms the mind, the emotions, and the atmosphere around you.
And I’m doing this right along with you — from my temporary corner, building gratitude one brick at a time.
💬
Join Me — Let’s Practice Gratitude Together
I’d love for you to share yours with me.
Drop your 3 gratitude things below:
1️⃣ Something God provided today
2️⃣ Someone you appreciate
3️⃣ Something you’re learning
Your words might be the encouragement someone else desperately needs right now.
Let’s create a ripple of gratitude together, right here.
✨ Tidbits with Tracie
A Fun + Factual Guide to Staying Sane, Nourished, and Organized
Let’s be honest:
The holiday season has a way of convincing us that EVERYTHING is urgent.
The holiday season has a way of convincing us that EVERYTHING is urgent.
The cookies are urgent.
The gifts are urgent.
The outfits are urgent.
The “Pinterest-perfect” moments are urgent.
Suddenly even the dog needs a Christmas sweater and the lights must be hung at the exact 23° angle for family photos.
The gifts are urgent.
The outfits are urgent.
The “Pinterest-perfect” moments are urgent.
Suddenly even the dog needs a Christmas sweater and the lights must be hung at the exact 23° angle for family photos.
But here’s the truth — and it’s freeing:
Most of it is not urgent.
Most of it is simply noise.
Most of it is not urgent.
Most of it is simply noise.
And the older I get (and the more grands I have running around), the more I realize that the holidays are less about the hustle…
and more about the holy moments in between the hustle.
and more about the holy moments in between the hustle.
So let’s break this down in a way that makes your nervous system exhale
🌿 First: The Perspective Shift
(aka: How to stay out of holiday overwhelm)
The “tyranny of the urgent” tricks you into thinking that EVERYTHING has to be done right now, perfectly, and preferably by you.
But research shows that when we operate in constant urgency, our bodies pump out cortisol like it’s going out of style — which leads to:
- brain fog
- irritability
- poor decision-making
- emotional overwhelm
- stress eating (hello Christmas fudge)
Your body isn’t meant to live at Level 10 stress for eight straight weeks.
Perspective is your holiday superpower.
Slow down the pace → your mind, hormones, digestion, and sleep.
Slow down the pace → your mind, hormones, digestion, and sleep.
🎁 Second: The Fun Part
(aka: Tracie’s Holiday Sanity Tips That Actually Work)
These are the things I’ve learned through years of parenting, grandparenting, caregiving, theater seasons, moving chaos, and living a naturopathic lifestyle.
✨ 1. Choose your “Big Three.”
Not everything needs to happen.
So pick three things that matter most to you:
So pick three things that matter most to you:
- meaningful memories
- faith traditions
- simple meals
- family time
- gift-giving with intention
- staying nourished
Then let the rest be optional.
✨ 2. Batch your errands.
Your brain loves batching — it reduces stress and saves time.
Try grouping:
- grocery store + gift store
- post office + coffee stop
- returns + grocery pickup
Your nervous system will feel the difference.
✨ 3. Keep your body nourished.
A few simple supports go a long way:
- minerals (your adrenals will love you)
- NingXia Red
- peppermint + citrus oils for energy and mood
- protein-rich snacks in your bag
- deep breathing & vagus nerve resets need help with this? Be looking to my next blog post.
Holiday peace is physical and spiritual.
✨ 4. Protect your “quiet pockets.”
Even 10 minutes changes everything.
Sit in the car.
Step outside.
Turn on worship.
Pray.
Diffuse something grounding.
Reset your mind before you re-enter the noise.
Step outside.
Turn on worship.
Pray.
Diffuse something grounding.
Reset your mind before you re-enter the noise.
Quiet pockets = miracle workers.
✨ 5. Pre-prep three meals each week.
Whether it’s a pot of soup, roasted veggies, chicken, or a big salad — future-you will throw confetti in your honor.
Hungry + overwhelmed = meltdown.
Fed + supported = peace.
Fed + supported = peace.
✨ 6. Make memories, not performances.
Kids and grands don’t care about perfect tablescapes.
They care about:
They care about:
- hugs
- cookies with too many sprinkles
- pajamas
- reading the Christmas story
- being with you
Presence > presentation.
🌟 A Final Word
The holidays don’t have to boss you around.
You get to choose:
- your pace
- your priorities
- your peace
- your presence
- your joy
- your rhythms
When you release the “urgent,” you make room for the important.
The moments that matter.
The small miracles.
The people you love.
The faith that grounds you.
And the memories you’ll carry long after the ornaments are packed away.
The small miracles.
The people you love.
The faith that grounds you.
And the memories you’ll carry long after the ornaments are packed away.
Here’s to a season that feels nourishing, organized, joyful, and rooted in what truly matters.
We don’t need perfect — we need peace. 💛
We don’t need perfect — we need peace. 💛
We are in a temporary space no big traditional decorations, but closer to family because that is what matters!
A free copy of my Stay Well Guide Here
If the last few months had a title, mine would be:
“Plot Twist: God Is Still Faithful Even When Life Makes Zero Sense.”
Because y’all… it’s been a season.
Moving across two states, back and forth, car packed to the brim (again), dogs in the backseat, my favorite mugs wrapped in towels, and whatever could squeeze into the last inch of space. Trying to decide what goes where — Greenwood, Mt. Pleasant, Josie’s — has become its own Olympic event.
And somehow, in the middle of all this, God keeps giving me little pockets of grace.
💛 The Last Hurrah in Greenwood
Finishing my final production at Greenwood Little Theatre while packing up a house at the same time?
A moment.
A bittersweet swirl of gratitude and grief.
A moment.
A bittersweet swirl of gratitude and grief.
Being in a show with my grandson Justice — what a gift.
Having my daughter drive all the way in to help load Phase One of the move and see my last play — priceless.
My church family, my friends, the cozy home I loved, the coffee shop moments with Josie… every piece mattered.
Having my daughter drive all the way in to help load Phase One of the move and see my last play — priceless.
My church family, my friends, the cozy home I loved, the coffee shop moments with Josie… every piece mattered.
Leaving was not easy. But it was right.
💛 The Caregiving Chapter
Many of you know my mother-in-law Josie’s needs have shaped this season. Every plan has had to bend around her care, her energy, her stability.
Some days I roll up with a car full of stuff for the new chapter…
Other days I’m rolling back to sit beside her, pray with her, or help her navigate a rough moment.
Other days I’m rolling back to sit beside her, pray with her, or help her navigate a rough moment.
It’s ministry. It’s messy. It’s holy.
💛 The Temporary Space Life
If you’ve ever lived in a temporary space, you get it.
You live out of boxes.
You forget where your socks are.
You use one pan and three plates and call it gourmet.
And every night you pray, “Lord, give me peace until the true rhythm comes.”
You forget where your socks are.
You use one pan and three plates and call it gourmet.
And every night you pray, “Lord, give me peace until the true rhythm comes.”
It’s not glamorous, but it’s honest.
💛 The Body Keeps the Score
All this back-and-forth caught up with me.
The lack of sleep, the physical load of boxes, the emotional whiplash — it all hit at once.
The lack of sleep, the physical load of boxes, the emotional whiplash — it all hit at once.
One night I tried to roll over and my hip seized up like it was 2023 all over again after the accident.
That kind of deep, sharp pain that reminds you your body has a history.
That kind of deep, sharp pain that reminds you your body has a history.
So I slowed down.
Made my mineral drink.
Layered on my oils.
Filled my NingXia Red pack.
And chose nourishment over push-through.
Made my mineral drink.
Layered on my oils.
Filled my NingXia Red pack.
And chose nourishment over push-through.
Natural tools don’t remove the hard — they help the body stay steady enough to walk through it.
💛 The God-Moment in the Grocery Store
Right in the middle of this transition, I ran into a sweet woman from Bible study. She shared something heavy on her heart.
So we prayed.
Right there in the store.
Between the produce and the paper towels.
Right there in the store.
Between the produce and the paper towels.
And I was reminded:
Even in transition, God still plants us where someone needs encouragement.
Even in transition, God still plants us where someone needs encouragement.
💛 What’s Sustained Me
A few things have been my anchors:
- NingXia Red — keeping my energy and mood from bottoming out
- Raindrop oils on my feet — simple, daily grounding
- Orange & Peppermint oils — my emotional pick-me-ups
- Big cups of mineral-rich water — my nervous system thanks me
- Prayer — the kind that says, “Lord, I’m tired. But I trust You.”
Truthfully, these are the things that have kept me functional during situations that could have flattened me years ago.
💛 What I Know For Sure
God is moving even when I feel scattered.
Healing is still happening even when progress feels slow.
New chapters often begin with a holy upheaval.
Healing is still happening even when progress feels slow.
New chapters often begin with a holy upheaval.
I’m not fully settled yet.
I’m not fully unpacked.
I’m not even finished moving.
I’m not fully unpacked.
I’m not even finished moving.
But I am held.
I am guided.
I am growing.
And every little piece of this journey — even the inconvenient, uncomfortable, exhausting parts — has purpose.
I am guided.
I am growing.
And every little piece of this journey — even the inconvenient, uncomfortable, exhausting parts — has purpose.
If you’re walking through transition right now, I’m with you.
God wastes nothing. Not a move, not a tear, not a long drive with a packed car and two dogs
God wastes nothing. Not a move, not a tear, not a long drive with a packed car and two dogs
.
He is writing something good.
Even here. Especially here.
Even here. Especially here.
— Tracie
Tidbits with Tracie 🌿✨
Tidbits with Tracie 🌿✨
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle — busy schedules, full calendars, and running on fumes as a badge of honor.
But burnout isn’t a sign of strength. It’s a sign we’ve been carrying more than we were meant to.
God never designed us to run endlessly. From the very beginning, He built rest into creation itself.
On the seventh day, He rested — not because He was tired, but because the work was complete.
And He called that rest holy.
And on the seventh day God ended His
Rest isn’t laziness.
It’s worship.
It’s trust.
It’s saying, “God, I know You’re still working even when I’m not.”
Here are 7 kinds of rest your body, mind, and spirit might be craving right now ⬇️
🕊️ 1. Physical Rest —
Be still and recover
This is the most obvious kind — sleep, stillness, stretching, slowing.
When you rest your body, you’re saying, “Lord, I receive Your design.”
Try magnesium soaks, deep breathing, or just lying in the grass for ten minutes.
Sometimes, healing begins when you stop doing.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are
💭 2. Mental Rest —
Quiet the noise
Our minds rarely stop running. But mental rest invites us to pause the processing.
Turn off the constant stream of news, lists, and worries.
Let your thoughts breathe.
Journaling, silence, and gratitude practices can help you renew your mind.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
🤍 3. Emotional Rest —
Lay your burdens down
Emotional rest is when you stop holding it all together.
You let the tears fall. You stop explaining. You let God comfort you.
It’s allowing your nervous system to exhale after holding so much for so long.
Essential oils like Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, or Bergamot can help support that emotional release.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spiri.” — Psalm 34:18
🪞 4. Spiritual Rest —
Resting in His Presence
This isn’t about checking a devotion off your list. It’s about being with God, not performing for Him.
Worship, Scripture reading, or simply sitting in silence with Him counts as holy rest.
When you stop striving to prove your worth, you start to feel your belovedness.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” — Isaiah 30:15
🕯️ 5. Sensory Rest —
Reduce the overwhelm
Our world is loud — lights, phones, clutter, and constant alerts.
Sensory rest means dimming the noise so your nervous system can find peace again.
Try candlelight dinners, quiet music, or a day without screens.
Peace often lives in simplicity.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” — Psalm 37:7
🌿 6. Social Rest —
Replenish, don’t perform
Some people drain us. Others restore us. Social rest means choosing connection that fills your soul, not depletes it.
It’s okay to step back and let God recalibrate your circle.
Rest sometimes looks like solitude. Other times, it’s time with people who see you clearly.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
🎨 7. Creative Rest —
Make space for wonder
Creative rest happens when you stop forcing output and start receiving inspiration again.
Play. Garden. Paint. Cook something beautiful.
You are made in the image of a Creator — creating is worship.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11
🌤️ A Closing Thought
Rest isn’t optional. It’s sacred.
It’s where your body heals, your mind resets, and your spirit reconnects with the One who restores all things.
So if you’ve been feeling burnt out or weary — this is your permission slip to slow down.
To breathe deeply.
To let go of what you were never meant to carry.
Because the same God who created the sun to set also created you to rest.
“23:2-
💫 Reflection Questions
- Which type of rest do I resist the most — and why?
- What rhythms or habits could I add to invite more true rest into my week?
- How might rest become an act of worship, not guilt?
- How are you anointing your mind spirit and body for Good rest?
- What oils are you using for rest of all areas of life ?
What I’ve Learned About Biblical Friendship
I used to think friendship was about common interests. Shared seasons. Someone you could grab coffee with, laugh with, cry with… and yes, those things are beautiful.
But over time—and through the valleys—I’ve come to see that biblical friendship is something deeper.
It’s not just connection.
It’s covenant.
It’s not just presence.
It’s purpose.
It’s not just someone who hears your heart.
It’s someone who helps guard it.
God doesn’t just call us into relationships. He calls us to build friendships that sharpen, stretch, and sanctify us. And His Word is filled with women who model exactly that.
Let me share with you 5 women who’ve reshaped the way I think about friendship—and why I’m praying for more women like them in my life… and becoming more like them myself.
👣 Ruth: The Loyal Companion
“Where you go, I will go… your people will be my people.” – Ruth 1:16
Ruth stayed. When it would’ve been easier to walk away, she chose to walk with Naomi—through grief, through uncertainty, through change.
Friendship like Ruth’s doesn’t ghost when life gets messy. It doesn’t retreat when you’re hard to be around. It sticks. It walks with. It clings.
We need Ruths in our lives—and we need to be Ruths for the women walking through their own dark seasons.
🔥 Deborah: The Wise Encourager
“She arose as a mother in Israel.” – Judges 5:7
Deborah didn’t just lead—she lifted. She used her wisdom and influence to call others into battle, into purpose, into courage.
Every woman needs a Deborah in her life. Someone who doesn’t flatter you with comfort, but who challenges you with truth. Someone who says, “You were made for more—now rise.”
May we be the kind of friend who speaks truth, not just kindness. Who encourages from a place of spiritual authority.
🌸 Mary: The Faithful Heart
“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
Mary’s strength wasn’t in her words—it was in her stillness. She didn’t blast her calling across the world. She quietly carried it in obedience.
I’ve come to treasure friendships like this more and more. Friends who don’t need attention to feel significant. Friends who pray more than they post. Friends who hold sacred space in the silence.
Sometimes the most powerful friend you have is the one who just sits with you and brings the presence of peace.
📖 Priscilla: The Discipling Friend
“They took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately.” – Acts 18:26
Priscilla and her husband discipled Apollos and helped shape his understanding of the faith. She wasn’t flashy—but she was foundational.
We need friends who help us grow in the Word. Who ask, “What’s the Lord showing you lately?” and then listen, challenge, encourage, and sharpen.
Discipleship isn’t just something for a platform—it’s something for the living room. Over tea. On the phone. In real friendship.
💛 Elizabeth: The Joy-Filled Confirmer
“The baby in my womb leaped for joy.” – Luke 1:44
Elizabeth could’ve been bitter. She could’ve compared her calling to Mary’s. But instead—she blessed it. She recognized what God was doing in someone else and rejoiced.
Y’all, we need Elizabeths so badly in today’s world.
Friends who aren’t threatened by your calling. Who celebrate your growth. Who speak blessing over your dreams. Who confirm what God is doing in you.
Let’s be the friend who claps loudly, not competes silently.
🤍 Final Thoughts: Becoming the Friend You Need
This is what I’ve been learning…
I don’t just want to find these women.
I want to become one of them.
Friendship isn’t built on shared personality types or aesthetic lifestyles. It’s built on shared values, shared truth, and a shared pursuit of Jesus.
So today I’m praying:
- God, send me Ruths. Loyal hearts.
- Send me Deborahs. Bold encouragers.
- Send me Marys. Quiet strength.
- Send me Priscillas. Word-filled guides.
- Send me Elizabeths. Joyful sisters.
…And Lord, make me one, too.
💬 Reflection Questions:
- Which woman in this list do you most relate to?
- Which one challenges you?
- Is there a friend you need to thank, encourage, or bless today?
📖 Scriptures to Meditate On:
- Ruth 1:16
- Judges 5:7
- Luke 2:19
- Acts 18:26
- Luke 1:44
