We are worlds apart, my fellow human being, though we share the same nationality. We are worlds apart, my fellow American, though we live in the same part of the country. We are worlds apart, my coworker, though we work for the same company doing basically the same things. We are worlds apart, my neighbor, though we walk the same sidewalks, and our kids play on the same sports teams. We seem to be worlds apart, my fellow believer, though... Read more
If you want to be a bridge, be prepared to be stepped on by people on both sides. Be prepared that some will not notice the bridge. Be prepared that some may notice the bridge but not think twice of its value or function. Be prepared that some may resent or feel threatened by the presence of a bridge. Be prepared that some may regret having crossed the bridge. Be prepared that some, having crossed over, may still choose to... Read more
I recently had a chance to reconnect with my high school English and History teachers. They have been teaching at Polytechnic School in Pasadena for over 30 years! It was nice to hear from them what I was like when I was younger. I also got the chance to talk with the Admissions Director, who in 1987, had admitted me to the freshman class at this college preparatory private school. Mrs. Rodriguez is now retired but came back to campus to... Read more
Well, it’s been almost 4 weeks since Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, 2 weeks since Irma visited Florida, followed by lots of bad news around the world about deaths and destruction caused by flooding, earthquakes, and terrorist acts/war in other countries. For my fellow Americans, our news outlets are stressing us out with story after story of ongoing political tensions and protests, whether the issue is about immigration, ethnicity/race, or religious freedom. Then if you are a parent, you’ve no doubt... Read more
It looks like someone else beat me to the punch! Actually, she beat my friend and fellow therapist, Cindy Hammonds, LPC, who had just yesterday volunteered to help me write about survivor’s guilt. I was going to also blog about compassion fatigue in the midst of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Well, y’all, I’m grateful that this fellow mom wrote an excellent, funny, very readable piece on such an important topic. She even shared my sentiment that many parents struggle when their young... Read more
This week, Hurricane Harvey has proven to be quite a force to reckon with. He is both fierce and ferocious in his ability to cause major damage to an entire coastal region. What a dangerous and destructive storm, both unprecedented and historic in several ways. But raising kids can also put us in similar turmoil physically, emotionally, and mentally. Raising kids well requires a lot of sacrifice. We need to spend money, time, and resources on our kids. It’s commonly... Read more
As soon as the title of this blog came to me, I sadly thought, when has this world ever not been controversial? Maybe the only answer is when we were kids and were innocent, so unaware. Sure, today’s news headlines involve various names, incidents, and issues that are different than fifty years ago, or a hundred years ago, but the fact that we live with controversies is not new. Jesus, who walked the Earth over two thousand years ago, was himself... Read more
Thank. you! A much needed word of wisdom. Read more
This morning, while my husband went for his daily walk, accompanied by our middle son, the other two stayed home and played a game of chess. I had woken up quite late, so I was doing my quiet time late, which was not the best thing since I was very much distracted by the loud sounds of two boys arguing and fussing over the chess moves. Both are so smart and so competitive. Whatever happened to meek and mild? I’m... Read more
East Meets West Social Worker
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