Novena for Peace: Day 3 Shattered Lives

Shattered lives, prayers for peace Yesterday in Connecticut violence ripped through 27 families, a community, and the whole nation. Numb disbelief settles on us as we imagine the horror of mothers and fathers who wailed through the night for their little ones sent off to school to never return home again. Words are so inadequate. What comfort … Read more

Novena Day 2: Forgiveness & Right Action

Two great modern teachers speak to us today and help us understand that the power to create peace truly resides within our own souls. When we can act in accordance with our principles and forgive our frailties and the frailties of others, peace will settle in us. And when it does, we will have an abundance to share. Forgiveness … Read more

Would You Trade 10 Minutes of Your Time for Peace?

Over a decade ago, sparked by my distress over the United States starting two wars in the Middle East, I began inviting friends and family to pray with me a Novena for Peace during the holiday season. Some might—and some have—called this a naïve gesture that won’t make a difference. Given the social unrest at … Read more

What to Do When A Friend is Grieving

  The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing. . . not healing, not curing. . . that is a friend who cares.” ~ Henri Nouwen A number of years ago, I … Read more

Smile & Live Longer

When our eldest daughter was a senior in high school, we got two pieces of news two days before Easter. My daughter’s financial package for the college of her choice arrived with scholarship awards included (yeah!) and my husband was fired from his job as second in command of a mid-sized manufacturing company (ouch!). It … Read more

Body Language & Power: How Mimicking Power Postures Makes You Powerful

Can you fake it ‘til you make it? According to Amy Cuddy, not only can you fake it ‘til you make it, you can fake it until you BELIEVE it and BECOME it. Our ability to communicate non-verbally with ourselves is so powerful that it can it can change our thoughts, our physiology, and even our … Read more

Writer’s Block in Graduate School

I’ve recently had the honor of coaching a few graduate students who were struggling with writing their dissertations. They were smart, accomplished students in competitive schools who were completely stalled with major cases of writers block – which I know from personal experience has its origins in fear. In my case, I recognized that procrastination … Read more