My brain’s default mode is to wander, aimlessly, luxuriously, into a daydream. In fact, I think this came up once or twice on an early elementary school report card: “tends to daydream”. I think I got a check instead of a plus in one of the columns because of that. Someone about that same time called me lazy, [...]
You watch as your sweet baby readies herself to take her first tentative steps in your direction. She wants so much to get to you, and she’s been almost ready to walk for several days. She holds on to the edge of the couch, looks at you with eyes shining and a big grin on her face. You wait a [...]
Joe’s Story: Joe (not his real name) came to me a couple of years ago. His complaint was anxiety that showed up as stomach problems, aches and pains, poor sleep and constant worry. He explained that he retired six months prior and it was not what he thought it would be. He felt lost and hopeless. We dug a little [...]
Every year in some churches, during Lent, many pray a form of prayer called “The Stations of the Cross.” The Stations of the Cross are usually a walking journey to 14 different “stations,” representing the steps Jesus took on his journey to crucifixion, death and ultimately resurrection. Those who have grown up Catholic may recognize this prayer as the “Via Dolorosa” a commemoration [...]
At Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Arlington, this refrain can be heard over and over on certain Wednesday evenings during Lent. Led by music minister Monica Perz-Waddington and a small group of musicians, everyone present has the opportunity to pray the Stations of the Cross through song. Accompanied by guitar, drum, and a sign language interpreter, the musicians [...]
Happy New Year! Wishing you peace, joy, comfort, and good health! Now that the hustle bustle of the holidays is over; we are all returning to our routines. Hopefully we are all rested, relaxed, and refreshed as we face the New Year. This is a time to reflect on what good things occurred, what challenges were faced from the [...]
Advent, for Christians, is often referred to as the season of watching and waiting. Spiritually, we are waiting for the renewal of our hope in the celebration, and remembrance, of the gift of grace for this world in the form of the baby Jesus. As we wait to celebrate this, we are watching for the signs and wonders that [...]
November is often considered the month of Gratitude. It’s a natural time to reflect on those things for which we are thankful as we gather with friends and family. If you are like my household, we seem to rush through November thankful for a few days off before we are launched into the busyness of December. November is a [...]
"I think we should give Fatima an office." My ears perked up when I heard my colleague suggest this. "My own office??" I thought, "Wow, that would be so nice." I stayed silent as the conversation progressed and the group settled on the empty office in our McLean location. My mind spun with possibilities of what I could do [...]
How Seasons Can Affect Our Moods and Our Lives Every year at this time, when the break from summer ends and the school year starts, I feel a shift in both myself and the environment around me. It has been this way since I was a child. There is this anticipation of increased activity and responsibility; an anticipation that [...]
