Reflections on the healing journey
In this quote, Anne Lamott invites us to sit with our questions and the mess. We do not need to deny our doubts or fear curiosity. We can deconstruct what was given to us, and go on the lifelong journey of deconstruction and transformation. A lot of this can happen …
Why have we in the church made some people outcasts? In recent weeks, I have had conversations with friends pondering why we have felt the need, certainly in conservative Christianity, to outcast LGBTQ people and to make women inferior? We have been asking the question, was this what we signed …
Several folk have asked me how I went on the journey from the beliefs I was given, in a conservative Evangelical setting, to where I am on the journey now. I liken this process to entering an Autumn Season in life. It actually began when I was still living in …
Are emotions such as happiness important? What happens when emotions are suppressed? How is “God’s glory” sometimes used to control and abuse other people? I read the following meme on Facebook, and want to highlight how this can be used to spiritually abuse others, as was my experience as a …
Whether we want to recognise if someone is a safe listener, or whether we desire to be a good listener for others, understanding pity, sympathy, empathy and compassion is crucial. Telling our stories is an integral part of our healing. The response we receive makes a huge difference to whether …
This is a treasure trove full of nuggets of wisdom on emotions. It will help you name them correctly, and express them in your day to day living. It has the potential to enhance your connection with others, your listening skills, compassion and empathy. Based on Brene’s 20 year of …
She was 6 years old. Lessons in the classroom were interesting, and she found the schoolwork easy. Breaktimes, however, were torture. Obliged to go out into the playground, she walked slowly, reluctant to join the older girls who taunted her. For safety, she sought out the hand of the lady …
The Stigma of Estrangement There is a stigma attached to being estranged from a family member. Historically, many cultures emphasized duty, obligations and responsibilities. People were very interdependent, and it was hard to cut yourself off from the support of your family. Elderly people relied on their children to provide …
This is the story of a survivor of Auschwitz. She tells her own story with great poignancy and reflection. She then goes on to weave the stories of other trauma survivors into her own, as she finds healing for herself and works as a psychotherapist. This is a book filled …
This book is a thoughtful, practical guide to the path to forgiveness. Born out of apartheid, the Truth and reconciliation Project in South Africa, and personal experience, it does not give easy answers, but rather invites the reader to face reality and our common humanity. The book leads the reader …
