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Fully licensed Faith-Based Clinical Counseling
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Illinois)
Licensed Professional Counselor (Pennsylvania)
My Blog
Blog
Suffering Unleashes Love
Posted on March 26, 2018 at 12:22 PM |
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The Question. Often while sitting in the psychological
counselor’s chair a very common question emerges: “Why does God allow these
bad things to happen?" There are many similar takes on this question such as: “Why does this happen to such an innocent child?” “If we have such a
good God, then why is there so much suffering in this world?” “If God was on the
Cross for so many hours, then why
has my relative been afflicted with this or that ailment for so many years?” The Dilemma: These questions always stop me in my
tracks and I even find myself getting tongue tied in trying to come up with a compact
soothing succinct answer. After all, in
my work, I want to help bring comfort to people’s lives and to teach them how
to face challenges and trials. But ultimately suffering is a sacred mystery of God ---much
like the Eucharist and the concept of the Holy Trinity. No matter how we slice it, we cannot wrap our
minds around it. Much of the challenge
stems from the realization that suffering is a fact of our existence. We all suffer in some form or fashion. People suffer in a variety of ways: physically, psychologically, spiritually, socially, and culturally. We all have a Cross or even Crosses to bear whether
we want to accept the situation or not. Truthfully,
none of us are left unscathed. And ultimately,
we can benefit from our trials. But how? I have heard it said that suffering is actually the twin
sister of love. Just like sorrow and joy
can be twins. It is with great joy I
discovered St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter “Salvifici Doloris” which was
released to the faithful on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1984. From that great work three words resonant: “Suffering
unleashes love.” “Suffering Unleashes Love.”
The Crosses in our lives are those occasions for love to blossom, by
interior acts of love, exterior acts, and cultural acts. We have a choice. We cannot choose our type of suffering or
calamity, but we do have control over how we are going to react to it. Out of an act of our own free will, we can
decide to become bitter, lash out at God, refuse to go to Church, blame others,
call everyone hypocrites, and curse the day we were born. Or we can choose to
cooperate with the Grace of God. Through prayer and discernment, we can look
for the good that can stem from a situation and look for the expressions of
kindness and love from others that inevitably abound. Psalm 27 states: “I believe that I shall see
the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.” Look for the little acts of love such as the get-well
card, the kind word, the sharing of resources, the bouquet of flowers in a
hospital room, the new and old relationships that are forged. Don’t see anything good happening? Sure, we can also see the negative
fruits. But look hard enough and there
are inevitable acts of love abounding. Jesus Chose His
Cross. If still nothing good seems to emerge, one can become that beacon of love oneself, just as Jesus Christ himself did.
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross
(Philippians 2:8).” Unlike us, Jesus
suffered voluntarily and innocently to unleash love in a profound
sacred mysterious way. He chose to
suffer when he didn’t have to do it. Most of us are not taught the value of suffering. An old Catholic cliché is to “offer it up”
and we can choose to become prayer warriors at the foot of the Cross, sharing
in the Passion of Jesus Christ. We can
take every smidgen of difficulty in our life and transform it into something
that has redemptive value for ourselves and others. The Way Over it is
Through It. In psychology, a common
phrase that I often repeat to my clients is: “The way over it is through it.” This is extremely true for anxiety, fears, trauma,
and grief. Avoidance only intensifies
the suffering. For example, being able
to stay with the feelings of a panic attack actually helps one to get over it,
as counterintuitive as this may sound. So, stop wasting that good suffering that inevitably emerges
in life. One doesn’t have to look far. One doesn't even need to create it (none of us likes to be around those that
create their own sufferings!). It is all
around us naturally. Go forth and unleash some love! |
Tips for Life’s Journey: Along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela
Posted on August 23, 2015 at 3:48 PM |
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My
husband, my daughter, and I embarked upon the journey of a lifetime early this
summer from June 13 through June 23, 2015. In celebration of our 30th wedding
anniversary, we set out to walk the last leg of the Portuguese Way of the
Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The route began in Tui, Spain with its
destination ending in Santiago de Compostela, traditionally the location of the
crypt and remains of St. James, the Apostle. This segment of the Camino is approximately
100 kilometers. The
history of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela dates back well over 1000 years
with Christians making this pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. Today pilgrims can walk, bike, or take to the
path on horseback with a variety of objectives in mind, particularly spiritual. A minimum of 100 kilometers by is required to
obtain a “compostela” or certificate
in Santiago. Proof is obtained by having
a credencial stamped along the way. My
reasons for undertaking this journey were largely spiritual but also for enjoyment
and celebration of my marriage. Some of
my own personal insights gained along “The
Way” include: The key to
accomplishing anything is perseverance. It is not about being the best, the fastest, the
smartest, the nicest looking, or even good enough; the key to success is simply
not giving up. The fastest person doesn't always finish the race. A slow and steady pace is particularly relevant
for the long haul. One can quickly lose
steam along the first few kilometers and deplete reserves needed to last the
entire 100 kilometers. Drinking up all
of the water and eating all of the granola at the first leg doesn’t get one very
far. I have often heard of individuals
in counseling say to me that it took them “a long time” to accomplish
something. I am always quick to add, “But
you did it!” So if it
takes several years to get a bachelor's degree or even a doctorate; so if it takes
a long time to get a promotion at the job; so if it takes forever to clean
through your living space; so if it seems like it is takes forever to find a
soul mate. Whatever the situation might be--
don't give up--persevere. I always say,
if at first you don’t succeed: Pray, cry,
and try again! Don’t fret falling down but more importantly learn
to get back up and carry on. Don't get discouraged at the prospect of a fall,
but be encouraged at being able to get back up again. I didn't actually fall on
the Camino but the fear of falling definitely slowed me down. There were many slick surfaces, rocks to
climb, and paths to maneuver. Life in
itself has its series of slippery slopes that need to be conquered. The classic mark of a procrastinator is the
fear of failure. These types often do not even get past the starting line. But
the fall isn’t the problem nor the worst part of it. Remaining face down in the mud is. The
challenge with most addictions is being able to stay the course even after a
relapse. A cupcake binge should not get
one permanently derailed from a diet. Get
back up, shake the dust off, and then proceed the course. And if it happens to be an issue of a sinful
nature, Catholic Christians have recourse to starting anew through
participation in the Sacrament of Confession.
The old saying goes that Christians are definitely not perfect, but they
are forgiven. Isaiah 40:31: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength. They shall walk and not be weary. They shall run and not faint. It’s just as hard
going downhill. The hills on the
Camino were definitely challenging. Some
went on for a couple of miles or so. Climbing a hill can be extremely exhausting
especially when the temptation to turn back presents itself. But just as in life, there is no turning
back. One thing I quickly discovered is
that no matter how tough it was going up, going downhill was not any easier. It is a joy to arrive at the mountaintop. But
all roads do not end at the summit. What
goes up must inevitably come down. I
quickly discovered that a different set of leg and knee muscles were required
to make the descent. Life has its peaks
and valleys. We are presented with
unique challenges in each scenario.
Perhaps there are many uphill battles.
But it’s never all uphill. And we don’t necessary gain momentum going
downhill. Some of the worse crashes
occur at the foot of a mountain. Lives
can sometimes snowball when we don’t know how and when to put on the brakes. I remember in my days traveling in the Smokey
Mountains of Tennessee there would be sand banks along the side of the road for
runaway tractor trailers. The descent
must be made at a slow and steady pace. It’s not only all
about me. One principle taught in running a business as
well as learned in walking the Camino is that any group is only as fast and
efficient as its slowest member. In our
little walking trio-- the holdup would be me. My 52-year-old pace served as a
ball and chain for my 17-year-old and even my husband. However later on in the journey another’s
upset stomach or someone else’s toe blisters became concerns and affected our
progress in other ways. One has to learn
to be concerned with the disabilities and shortcomings of each other on the
same journey. If one of the members of
the group only has the capability to walk 10 kilometers a day, then the maximum
for that group is only 10 kilometers a day.
Productivity becomes a team effort. If one wins, we all win. If one is incapacitated, we all become
incapacitated. It’s in everyone’s best
interest to look out for each other. Be open to the
kindness and advice of others. One
encounters a lot of strangers along the Camino that become friends along the
way. Fortunately these days it is much
safer than back in the Middle Ages where pilgrims were often attacked, robbed,
and left for dead (thus necessitating the building of the Reyes Catolicos centuries
ago in Santiago which began as a hospice to help those who had been injured). Over the course of several days we encountered
many familiar peregrines. It’s important to be willing to accept help
from others, to be willing to ask for directions, and to be willing to give
assistance. But there is one caveat: Be careful about asking directions from a
cross-eyed person in a foreign country who doesn’t speak your native
tongue. We were trying to locate the
birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua when in Portugal and almost became lost
trying to find the patron saint of lost things!
Something got mixed up and lost
in the translation and we found ourselves going in the opposite direction. So the lesson here is to exercise prudence in
discerning good advice. On the other
hand, when we were in need of a taxi on another afternoon and asked a restaurateur
to call one for us, he volunteered to take us himself and he even tripped on
the pavement on the way to his vehicle.
Upon completion of the journey he refused to accept any form of payment. We were very grateful for his generosity. We heard
all sorts of advice about preparing and going on the Camino. My advice: it is all relevant and helpful. Just like in life those who have gone before have
something to say to us to help along the journey. It is prudent and wise to take their insights
into consideration. Small things
matter. For instance see
how long one can walk with a tiny rock in a shoe. Paying attention to detail is very important
along the journey: the weight of one’s
daypack is can make a significant difference.
Someone I know on the journey decided to bring three books along the
daily walk. After a day of lugging all
of that extra weight, that same person decided that only one book would suffice.
Be prepared but
also be willing to embrace the unexpected.
Getting lost once in a while is part of the journey. The best laid plans can run amuck. Fortunately most of our journey was under
sunny skies and the paths were well marked.
But we did have to contend with a heat wave that hit throughout that
part of Spain and dealt with temperatures that approached near 100 degrees F. We carried extra rain ponchos in our packs
but never had to use them along the Camino.
Most of our meals and lodging were planned ahead of time but we did have
occasions when it was difficult to find a place to have a bite for lunch and
dinner was often past 9 pm when we were used to eating at 5 or 6 pm at
home. I have often heard that the most
successful people in life are those who are willing to roll and adapt to the
curves and changes in life. Don’t expect to
lose in 7 days what accumulated over 7 years.
One hope
in walking 100 km was that I would lose a lot of weight. But the Camino is like in life. A temporary change in one’s physical activity
might cause a temporary weight change but permanent results don’t occur unless
there are permanent changes. This can
apply to whatever changes one wants to make in life. We have to be committed for the long haul. Have a goal. Figure out what motivates you. Having a goal and dividing it up into smaller
accomplishable tasks is helpful. We
would walk so far in the morning and then have a pre-determined amount of
distance to go in the afternoon. Often
as the morning dragged into the day, I looked forward to stopping along the way
to have a cappuccino or charcuterie at a certain milestone. Taking small breaks along the journey is
important. We often would pop into
Churches to cool down, admire the architecture of the buildings along the way, take
in a breathtaking view, or engage in a water break under a shady old bridge. But finally don’t
forget that the process of the journey is just as important as the destination. For some reason the Camino brought back
memories of my pregnancies. I carried
two healthy children to term. Although
each pregnancy was not easy and was full of challenges, I enjoyed each moment
of the process. Thanks be to God, at the end of those two pregnancies I experienced
the full joy of giving birth to my beautiful children. But at the same time I experienced some nostalgia
at the remembrance of the precious time of carrying them in my womb. I felt the same way about the Camino. With my Compostela
in hand, I was excited to have reached the final destination but simultaneously
was a little bummed that the journey had come to a conclusion. There were so many sites, experiences, and
friends that were encountered along the way. I actually wouldn’t mind going on
another Camino! The Good
Walk. There is a manner in which Pilgrims
greet each other along the Camino: “Buen
Camino!” Which in Galacian translates
as” have a good walk” or can even take on deeper meaning in signifying, “follow
the right path.” Fortunately it was a
very good Camino indeed! Much can be said about discerning the good path and following God's will in our lives! |
Going from Point A to Point B
Posted on January 14, 2015 at 5:51 PM |
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The Best Laid Plans… We’ve all experienced it. We
make plans and nothing seems to go the way that we anticipated. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go
awry,” is an often repeated quote from the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Wiktionary states that it is an “expression used to signify the futility of
making detailed plans when the outcome is uncertain.” The truth of the matter is that nothing is
certain. Sacred Scripture states that
the “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot
tell where it comes from or where it is going.” (John 3:8, NIV). With all of this in mind some might
conclude: “Why even get out of bed?” I often encounter clients who
are hesitant about undertaking new endeavors for fear of failure and/or rejection. There are those who recoil at the idea of being
a trailblazer. I have heard many a young
person who are not willing to take on college courses because “no one in their
family has ever done it before” and that they lack having anyone to “encourage
them to do so.” I have had clients who
are anxious about entering into relationships.
Some even excessively labor over not only the decision to marry but to
date or even ask someone to an event. There are also those who are textbook perfectionists. They don’t want to make a mistake. They
conclude, “If I can’t do it perfectly then I don’t want to do it at all.” Some refuse to take on any type of risk. But unfortunately, doing nothing is also a
decision and has its own inherent risks and shortcomings. The Joy of the Process The misfortune is what is
being overlooked about the process and what can be gained from it. The journey can actually be just as important
as the outcome. The insights, things learned,
and the experiences along the way help us to grow and to develop in ways that
we not have otherwise. Many insights can be gained on that first day of
entering into a college class. Even in relationships
that turn sour one can learn a lot about oneself and others. We can create
memories. Roadblocks in our paths can
cause us to look around and to even sometimes take time to smell the roses. Some things can also draw us closer and into
a deeper relationship with God. On Being Overwhelmed Sometimes people get overwhelmed from the prospects of opportunities. They have difficulty envisioning a plan from
start to finish. They can’t see the trees for the forest or the forest for the
trees. However, it is important to
remember that many baby steps can make up one giant step. Often it is all about one step at a time and perseverance. Often the first step, point A, is the hardest. Anyone who has ever tried to write a paper or
a book can tell you that the first sentences are the most difficult. Fortunately, unless we are stone masons, most
of the time, the first step isn’t “written in stone”. Changes can be made. The paragraphs can be revised. We can even start over. When God intervenes “Man proposes, God disposes” is a quote from Thomas A Kempis in his classic
Christian work, The Imitation of Christ. When going from Point A to B, a very vital part
of the journey is to allow God to be involved by seeking out His will. I was once telling my sister that “God can
draw a straight path through our squiggly lines” when my 6-year-old niece
interrupted and said, “No Aunt Nat, actually He draws a Cross.” I have been pondering this thought. From the mouth of a babe she is correct. If “Man proposes, God disposes” then often
the proposal comes in the form of a Cross. Sometimes we find ourselves taking
many right turns along the straight and narrow path. Rather than ranting and
raving about the wrench in our craftily designed plans, we can choose to accept
the obstacles as opportunities to grow in ways that we would not have otherwise. The Cross in our roadblock is something that can
actually make us much stronger and even more humble. In the overall analysis, the squiggly lines
that we create with our mistakes actually can take on characteristics more
beautiful than just a straight plain sketch.
Most importantly it is not that we fall down, but that we learn to find
the grace to get back up. It is not such
a terrible thing that we make a mistake.
In spite of the circumstances, we have to be willing get back up, to get
out of bed, go to confession, back to the Sacraments, or do whatever needed to keep
on going in whatever direction God has pointed.
It is also important to realize that we are never completely alone--
that God can have our back and direct our way.
Even though at times we may think that in going from A to B we are “walking
through the valley of the shadow of death.” |
When There is a Decision to be Made: Tips for Discerning God's Will
Posted on January 25, 2014 at 5:58 PM |
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Encountering a decision whether big or small can often bring about a
great amount of anxiety. At times
indecision can destroy inner peace and can even have a major crippling effect
on one’s spiritual welfare as well as psychological progress. Procrastination is often caused by inability
to make a decision for fear of failure.
Perfectionists are known to be diagnostically the worst procrastinators
simply because of the fear of making a mistake. These persons are experts at catastrophizing and often imagine the
worst case scenarios. On the other hand,
there are others who might be very impulsive and do things without a thought or
a prayer beforehand. Such persons could even
be viewed as being ruled by their passions. Making a decision can truly be
difficult. Must it be done alone? Does our soul
sing the ballad of “I did it my way”
or is there a deep desire to do things according to the will of God? Do we want to completely abandon ourselves to
God’s will? Or do we want His help only
when it is convenient? Or are we so
clever, modern, and wise that we can handle things just fine without any help whatsoever
from the Divine? In the first step of
making a decision, we might need to decide once and for all if we sincerely do
want to follow God’s will. Some of us might
do this unconsciously. But most of us at some level truly do want God’s will for our lives but
are afraid of what that might entail, especially if we believe it means giving
up something or losing control. Giving
into God’s direction for our life requires humility. Humility is not about being a doormat, but rather
is about being aware of our place in relationship to God. In fact it is a very uplifting and liberating
position to be humble. This involves the
realization that we are created in the image and likeness of God and are
uniquely and unconditionally loved by Him.
In this respect He wills the utmost best for us. It is acknowledging that God is all good, all
powerful, and all knowing. Let’s just get this straight: God doesn't cause the tragedies but rather He
is here to help us get through them. So then, once set on following
God’s will how does one go about determining what it is? First get in contact with God. How can we hear and receive from Him when we
are truly out of touch? Obviously
spending time in prayer is important. There
are different types and approaches to prayer.
The most effective prayer is the one that comes from a sincere and pure
heart. Prayer can be done in one’s own
home, in a car, or even in a closet. But
it can also be done in a Church. If one
wants to truly pray where Jesus is physically present, find a Catholic Church
that offers adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. This is where a consecrated Host is placed in
a monstrance on an altar. One can also
pray to God present in the Tabernacle in the Catholic Church. Participate in the Sacraments of the Church.
This involves going to Mass and receiving the graces from the Sacraments
such as Holy Communion. Also if one has
not been to Confession in a while and is aware of any mortal sins, it is a good
idea to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. These are great sources of strength for the
journey and aid in the discernment process.
This also frees the soul from any junk that might be obstructing the
working of God’s grace. Listen to God working in your heart and life. In addition to speaking to God, a
person must also learn to listen, and to be open to God’s voice. Most of us wish for God to flash before us a
billboard with the all the answers. But most likely the answers come in more
subtle ways. Sometimes the message is
sent through others and in the circumstances in our lives. A person must be in touch with their intuition
and any tugs of the heart. This is
especially true in determining one’s vocation.
However, there is a danger in following one’s unbridled passions. One must apply virtue when making a decision. St. Thomas of Aquinas defines virtue as the
habit of doing good and that it is the “golden mean” between excess and defect.
“The
virtuous act is one that is neither excessive nor deficient. So for example courage is neither foolhardy
nor cowardly, and temperance is neither total abstinence nor gluttony. Humility is neither arrogance nor
subservience. Perseverance is neither obstinacy
nor capitulation. One might understand this ‘golden mean’ as balancing our
desires with reason ” (Bennett, A & L.
The Emotions that God Gave You. 2011, pg 83). Discernment must be
done with prudence and measured against God’s 10 Commandments. Make sure the decision does not violate any of the 10 Commandments. A good way to determine if a decision is
part of God’s will is to measure it against the 10 Commandments. For example if someone is contemplating having an abortion,
putting it up against the 10 Commandments will inevitably reveal that such would not be according to God’s will because He would not have us
violate His own laws. Also consulting
with the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great source of
help. Ask for help and respect those in authority. Seek out spiritual direction and/or
counseling. God can often speak His
message through others, especially those who have been given authority or put
in a role of guidance over us. Asking for
the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying a rosary and looking to
the examples in the lives of the Saints can also help. The lives of the Saints provide excellent
templates in how to live holy lives and how to make decisions according to the
will of God. St. Faustina once said, “When
I do not know what to do, I question love, for love is the best counselor!” St. Augustine is known to have said, “Love
and do whatever you want.” What do I do if I am still
clueless? It is not uncommon that we do all of the right things in trying to seek
out God’s will and we are still in the dark.
For whatever reason we cannot seem to see God’s message clearly or God
is simply silent. Rather than losing our
internal peace, there is a solution according to Fr. Jacque Philippe: “But it may happen that the Lord
does not respond to us. And this is
completely normal. Sometimes, He simply
leaves us free and sometimes, for reasons of His own, He does not manifest
Himself. It is good to know this,
because it often happens that people for fear of making a mistake, of not doing
the will of God, seek at any price to have an answer. They increase their reflections, their
prayers, they open the Bible ten times looking for a text in order to obtain a
desired enlightenment. And all this is
troubling and disquieting more than anything else. When the Lord leaves us thus in incertitude,
we must quietly accept it…In effect, this capacity to decide in incertitude, in
doing that which seems to us best…there is an attitude of confidence and
abandonment: ‘Lord, I have thought about
it and prayed to know Your will. I do
not see it clearly, but I am not going to trouble myself any further… I am
deciding such and such a thing because , all things carefully considered, it
seems to me the best thing to do. And I
leave everything in Your hands. I know
that , even if I have made a mistake, You will
not be displeased with me, for I have acted with good intentions. And if I have made a mistake, I know that You
are able to draw good from this error” (Searching for an Maintaining Peace, pp
72, 74). Most of us know that sometimes the best laid plans can initially lead
to some terrible disasters. But It is
good to know that no matter what happens God can make something good out of
even out of our worst case scenarios. |
Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes Brings a Big Announcement
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:39 AM |
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Categories
- Year of Faith, Jesus Knocking (1)
- Almsgiving (1)
- Charity (4)
- Lent (1)
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1)
- Following God's Will (7)
- Procrastination (2)
- Living in the present moment (1)
- Decision making (2)
- Divine Mercy (1)
- St. Faustina (1)
- Aging, birthdays, Sacred Heart of Jesus (1)
- Saints (3)
- St. Rita (1)
- Cousneling (4)
- Thomas A Kempis (1)
- Pilgrimage (1)
- Pope Benedict XVI resignation (1)
- Our Lady of Lourdes (1)
- Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Where's God?, Crucifixion (2)
- Forgiveness (4)
- Know oneself (1)
- You are loved (2)
- Padre Pio, Stigma, Bilocation, St. John Cantius Church (1)
- Hope, God's Promises (2)
- St. Teresa of Avila, Prayer (1)
- Thriving, coping skills, fight or flight, abundant life (8)
- Bartimaeus (1)
- Persistence (2)
- Seeking help (6)
- Christmas, Holidays, Advent (2)
- Parenting skills (1)
- Feast of the Holy Innocents (1)
- Suffering (4)
- Change and transitions (5)
- Sleep (1)
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