A profound hopelessness. A feeling of helplessness. The experience of powerlessness. A pessimistic outlook for the future. These are various aspects of despair. Despair is a common human experience. When things are going poorly, really poorly, when it seems like the bottom is falling out of life and we don’t… Read More »The Way Out Is Through
It’s the middle of February. A couple of weeks ago, on February 2, a welcome messenger delivered good news: Punxsutawney Phil, a weather predicting groundhog, emerged from his burrow and didn’t see his shadow. This legendary sign is a prediction that there will be an early spring This past week,… Read More »Faith and Hope that There Will Be Spring
About a dozen of us sat in the classroom. Chairs had been moved around, not as a neat circle but turned so we could see each other. As psychologists-in-training, we were talking about clients — well, not about specific clients but types of clients and their problems. Who did we… Read More »The Soul Wound of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The following is a brief excerpt from my book, The Integrated Self: A Holistic Approach to Spirituality and Mental Health Practice. In this passage, I explain that the commonly used distinction between religion and spirituality is very narrow and prevents us from appreciating that spirituality is a dimension of all… Read More »Spirituality: A Dimension of Human Experience
In a few days, we in the United States will mark a national holiday commemorating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. As we approach this commemoration, many people will participate in volunteer events to improve their communities through activities ranging from cleaning up neighborhoods, repairing homes for senior neighbors,… Read More »Can We Have a Dream?
Sometimes I attend services in an Episcopal Church. Before people share the bread and wine known as communion, the priest makes a dramatic gesture. Holding the circular bread-wafer so that all can see, the priest exclaims: “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” In unison, the response comes from the… Read More »A Progressive Christian Minister Reconsiders Atonement
At night, I’d slip out to the backyard of my family’s home to watch the night sky. Growing up in the country, I’d often see a lot of stars. In my youth, I didn’t know one from another. Yet, on those nights in the backyard, I felt a deep connection… Read More »Starry Connections
We sat at my dining room table having morning coffee. My friend came over to work on a project with me. Our conversation drifted from our work. He asked if I had plans for the New Year. I laughed and said, “We’re doing it! It’s this project.” He shook his… Read More »Our Best Selves for the New Year
