Our Current Burnout Culture
We are living in a culture that has become remarkably good at doing more while becoming disconnected from ourselves. Hurry, productivity, constant availability, digital noise, financial pressure, caregiving, and the expectation that we should continually optimize our lives have left many people exhausted in ways that a weekend away cannot repair. Burnout is more than simply being tired. It can become a loss of rhythm–a life in which there is little room left to notice beauty, create, rest, wonder, or simply be present with God.
Jubilee Seasons was shaped as a response to that kind of life. We believe human beings were never designed to live as machines of endless productivity. We flourish when we embrace seasons and rhythms, work and rest, giving and receiving, solitude and community, creativity and contemplation. Healing often begins when we learn to listen again–to our bodies, to the natural world, to the quiet movements in our own hearts, and ultimately to the voice of Christ who invites us to abide in Him rather than perform.
That is why everything at Jubilee Seasons–from a cup of herbal tea to a magazine article or a creative practice–is meant to offer a small doorway back into a different way of living. We aren't interested in helping people become better at enduring an unsustainable life. We want to help cultivate lives marked by creativity, wonder, wholeness and freedom–because sometimes, renewal begins simply by remembering that there is another way to live.
About Our Family
Hello! We are Mike and Kristene O’Dell. We’ve been married for over 33 years and have six adult children (with the oldest 2 married as well). We also have 4 talented grandchildren, so far…
Our youngest 3 sons, Pierce, Judah, and Gregory help with Jubilee Seasons in various ways… with each one bringing a creative element to the table.
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We love to vacation together, and our favorite vacation spot is the Alabama Coastline.
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We enjoy playing card games and the winner gets bragging rights to the “Grand Poobah” hat until the next game night commences.
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We are all animal lovers except for our youngest, who is allergic to anything with fur.
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Most of us love outdoor activities. Mike, Kristene, and the youngest 2 specifically like hiking at national parks. And on occasion, we can get the grandkids to go hiking as well.
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Our son-in-law is a ping pong shark. He kept that a secret until we all played.
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All the grandkids are athletic. One just got involved in competitive skating, and the other 3 play various sports including basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
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Our oldest is in her 40’s and our youngest is 20. There is a twelve year gap between the oldest 4 and the youngest 2. We have had kids in all stages of life.
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We have dreams of moving near the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, staying active, growing a garden, and maybe even building a stained-glass green house. But ultimately, we would like to create a retreat space that incorporates quiet peacefulness and rejuvenation through the beautiful nature in that part of the world. As well as, open a tea room on the town square where we can host creativity workshops and other community events.