Day Forty-Four of 365 – Adolescent Grief Observed
Losing a loved one or friend to death is one of life’s most devastating experiences. When adolescents lose a peer to death, the outcome can be particularly devastating. One of the hallmarks of adolescence is a relative feeling of invincibility. They tend to believe that death cannot touch them personally. When that bubble bursts, adolescents […]
Day Twenty One of 365 – Your Presence, A Gift
Loss is a Universal Experience. Everyone everywhere loses someone or something of value at some point in life. In fact, we actually deal with multiple losses of various kinds rather routinely. In a broad sense, loss may be defined as any absence of, deprivation of, removal of a person/place/thing that is a part of one’s routine. […]
A Man Out of Place
I recall in the first couple of months following the 9/11 attack in NYC that Collin College in Plano held a public forum/meeting to address issues and concerns in the aftermath. There were several “experts” invited to share seats on a panel to talk about responses to the.event. There was a counter-terrorism expert from UNT […]
Into and Out of the Darkness, Part 1
Darkness affects all of us – sometimes for the better and other times for the worse! The natural flow of nighttime darkness invites us to engage in restful, restorative sleep. The unnatural, oft times chaotic flow of darkness hatched in the spirit ensnares us in battles to salvage sanity and sometimes, life itself. None of us […]
A Mysterious Curiosity
Things like this have happened to me pretty much all my life! I have no real explanation for them . . . they just happen! As common as these occurrences are, the most recent one caused me to pause and reflect at a deeper level than ever before. To what do I refer? Well, it […]
The Lesser Lights!
The Lesser Lights! You know what they are! Stars and the moon on a celestial level are examples. Candles, flashlights, camp fires and the like are examples on a terrestrial level. During the day we rarely pay attention to candles or flashlights! And I can’t think of a time when I have seen a star […]
What is "Awaken to Good Mourning" Anyway?
I often field the following question as I work with individuals and groups: “So Mark, what is Awaken to Good Mourning anyway?” Every time I receive that question I gladly share the details. Awaken to Good Mourning is a book read by over 40,000 people; given as gifts to the bereaved by faith organizations; shared […]
Divorce! A Point of Redemption!
Divorce is NOT the Sin! Here are a few Random Thoughts from a Bald Headed Texas Cowboy and Recovering Bapticostal Minister Turned Therapist Type . . . Many years ago when I was 15 years of age, my parents divorced – at a time when divorce still carried sets of moral, religious and social labels […]
Five Wonderful Gifts That Cost Nothing – Well Almost!
I don’t know about you but I almost refuse to go out to the mall or outlet center or super store to shop this year! The noise and crowds and chaos just about push me over the edge! Besides, most people on my list either already have what I’m considering purchasing or have already purchased […]
Children – Grief – The Holidays
The Holidays are upon us! Whether you celebrate Christmas, observe Hanukkah or engage in Kwanza festivities, the Holidays are here! Elements of celebration, remembrance, reflection and rejuvenation abound in each Holiday observance. For those who have lost loved ones to death within the past three years or so, the Holidays can be brutal! The death […]