Can you overcome your upbringing when raising your own kids? Josephine Martinez, came from the Philippines and was a stay-at-home mom all her life. She gave me an enduring sense of God’s goodness, which is ironic since she suffered from severe religious guilt. Fortunately, she didn’t raise us in the same way. Excessive self-blame is […]
Adversity reveals one’s character during these abnormal times. Togetherness, 24/7, as well as solitary confinement, gives rise to creativity and new ways to show love. Then there are the hoarders, the complainers, the blamers. Our country is on a collective timeout and what a collection we are. Each of us is a composite of good […]
PANDEMIC: Overcoming busyness, guilt and helplessness. By Suzette Martinez Standring Are we defined by busyness? The pandemic forces a standstill, making us feel helpless. We Americans multitask: family, career, volunteerism; just cross the next thing off on the to-do list. It’s not in our cultural DNA to navel gaze. Yet time and separation gives unexpected […]
Yesterday, my March 4 surgery to remove a tumor on my left lung lobe was cancelled while I was in the surgery staging area. Today, the first thing I said to David was, “Well, I still have all my lobes.” The good news: that load of laundry in my closet won’t fester for a week […]
Can you be completely unworthy, but also believe you are unconditionally lovable? In Christianity, this is a common underpinning to understanding God’s love. I’ve long struggled with the emotional disconnect between the two. I used to bridge the gap with guilt. Nowadays God and I have a reproach-free relationship. Does that make me arrogant or […]