Stuff happens in people’s lives. Some of it is tragic. Sometimes people just can’t catch a break. Many people say, “Things happen for a reason.” Do they? Is that blaming the victim? Are some reasons behind the things that happen outside of a person’s control? The following is a text… Read More »Everything Happens for a Reason?
Some people think that growth is the result of suffering. No pain, no gain. Yes, people can experience growth after difficult experiences. But do we need to suffer to grow? In this video, I’m exploring the ways we grow as well as the fallacy of “no pain, no gain.” Join… Read More »The Secret About Suffering and Growth
To release the hurt, the resentment, or the grudge toward another who has harmed you: that’s the heart of forgiveness. It’s not about forgetting. Nor is it condoning what occurred. It’s not about the other person at all. Instead, forgiveness is letting go of the offense in order to experience… Read More »Forgiveness: Releasing Pain to Restore Wholeness
Most people don’t recognize it, but many of us live with the effects of trauma. Trauma disrupts our lives and our sense of normalcy. Today, I’m discussing both the prevalence of trauma and how spiritual practice can help to bring us to greater healing after traumatic events.
Over the last month, I’ve had video call conversations with over two dozen individuals I’ve never met in person. They are all graduate students enrolled in doctoral programs at the university where I teach. They live throughout North America and have been sheltering at home under various kinds of restrictions. … Read More »Suffering in Our Time
I’m like many other people. I live with physical pain. I’ve not wanted to write about this because I know others have much more serious pain than I do. Also, I’m not looking for remedies. I take appropriate care of myself, but nonetheless, I live with physical pain. I have… Read More »Living With Pain
It’s a stark image, one familiar to Christians who observe the time of Lent and Good Friday. Jesus hangs on a cross. On either side of him are two other criminals who also received a death sentence. As the gospel writer known as Luke conveys, one criminal who shares this… Read More »Pain and Paradise
It was quite unexpected. Her mother fell on a patch of ice the week before Thanksgiving. The broken hip was a concern, but following surgery, she was admitted to rehab. It seemed as though all was well. But then there were complications. She died about a week ago. The family… Read More »So, This Is Christmas …