How Mindfulness Can Enrich Advent

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mindfulness-imageAdvent is here.

Traditionally this is a season of waiting and preparation.  Waiting with Mary as the infant grows in her womb.  Preparing for the wonderful birth of the Christ child.

Yet sometimes all our many preparations preclude any real waiting.

There is so much to do.  My family’s schedule is full of Christmas gatherings.  Meals must be planned and made, babysitters contacted or the children prepared for travel.  Gifts are being imagined, and sales are pursued (quite vigorously at times).  Even planning for the way we intend to live Advent with the kids becomes an item on the to-do list.  Waiting can seem wasteful when there are so many preparations to be made.

It is easy to be so caught in the future, getting ready, that we miss the present. Read More →

Psychology for a Catholic – Why I Write

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Ed

“We can explain factors that influence drug abuse, abusing others….even murder.  But if there is a God that offers peace, joy and love, immoral acts never make sense.  There is a mysterious problem within all of us that steers us toward sin.  That problem needs addressed with love.  It must be a passionate Christ-like love that forgives, nurtures, and raises up.  It is not always a feel good or warm fuzzy love.  It’s usually self-sacrificing, but sometimes it can be wonderful and rewarding.  Any lesser solution than love is just a patch or gimmick.”

I read that quote this morning in a letter from Clark Massey on behalf of A Simple House.  It immediately made me think about the role of psychology in addressing that “mysterious problem” and the painful effects it has in our lives.

I believe in the power of self-sacrificial, Christ-like love to change the world.  I was raised believing in a God who offers peace, joy and love.  I witnessed others who gave their best to meet pain with love.  Their example showed me there is nothing better or more healing.

But I have also found that, flawed human that I am, the intention to be loving is not enough. Read More →