What your neighbor needs now is love but they often encounter indifference. We need to find a way to listen to them and tell them they are loved. I wonder at times that under depression and anxiety, there is a deep unmet need for love. That many are love-starved and […]
Relationships
Many women don’t think they are beautiful. A tarnish is over their soul. But underneath, there is a beauty that can change a world, a delight that needs to be listened for and affirmed. There was a beauty there, and I wanted to affirm it. I could see it in […]
The heart of a man dries up without words of encouragement. But the gift of respect can flood his life with hope. Let’s listen well. All he wanted was some whispers of thankfulness. Some acknowledgment that what he did mattered. He had worked hard all day, fought his battles, and […]
Often life can feel like it’s one step forward and two steps back, but with a few words of affirmation, another step can be taken. Affirm the small footprints of the struggle and evoke the good to grow. He knew many people didn’t like him. He had made commitments then […]
When we are loyal to our lies, we are like an emperor in undies. Delusions believed as truth will destroy. We need to be open to others gently telling us when we have been conned. One of my favorite stories from Hans Christian Andersen is “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Here […]
Life’s not fair, and there is mystery involved. When we know there is a bigger story going on then perhaps grace can heal the wounds. It was always the same conversation. Life’s not fair. They didn’t just carry a chip on their shoulder, it was a gigantic log, and it […]
To ‘Walk the extra mile’ is not about being generous, or servanthood. It’s about flipping the power dynamics and creating a sense of fear and uncertainty. Have you ever heard someone say ‘They walked the extra mile’? We link this little phrase with the idea that this person did more […]
Giving the ‘shirt off your back’ is not an invitation to more abuse. It is a subtle expression of self-worth and can confuse and shame the bully. Have you ever tried to challenge someone’s behavior, and it just gets thrown back at you? You may feel like you are being […]
You think you have forgiven, but now and then anger bubbles up. You try and stuff it back in its box, but you know that its whisper is still fuming around your heart. Perhaps you need to discover compassion. A step that is unusual and not what you naturally want […]
Confession can take the pressure off ourselves and give an opportunity for harmony to come into our relationships. Six things we need to learn about confession for our Mental Health. ‘I need help with my husband, wife, child, friend.’ The thought of living in harmony with others sounds idealistic and […]