In Andrew A. Lubusko’s 2006 dissertation on self-control and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, he notes that fatigue, emotional stress, and cognitive overload are primary factors in self-control failure. When we are tired, we become less aware of ourselves and what we are doing. When we are anxious, we are too worried about the future to be concerned with controlling ourselves in the present. When we are depressed, we are often so wrapped up in our past failures that present goals, such ... [Read more]

We’ve all seen it happen in the grocery store parking lot. The back door of the minivan is open and a mom is leaning in, battling her toddler in an attempt to get her into a car seat. The little girl is too young to do it herself, and she doesn’t have the capacity to understand that it’s for her own good. So she balks and cries and carries on, stiffening herself into a board that will not bend to sit and be buckled in to safety. There are times when a child will settle down and fall asleep ... [Read more]

Do you know the story of St. Peter when he sees Jesus walking on the stormy Sea of Galilee? St. Peter boldly asks if he can walk to Him on the waves. The rest of the disciples are all sitting in the boat rather content to stay there and wait for Jesus to come to them. But St. Peter is an exuberant soul. He is courageous and willing to take a chance. He asks Jesus if he could walk toward him on the waves. And Jesus allows this with His hand outstretched toward St. Peter. If you are familiar with ... [Read more]

“A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench” Having experienced the deaths of my parents and in the aftermath dealing with their personal possessions, I know all too well the oscillation between tedium—what do I do with all of these rubber bands?—and fresh feelings of heartache—such as finding a dusty photo of myself with my dad when I was a baby. One day two decades ago while I was mourning my mother’s untimely death, I set out to clean her desk not knowing what ... [Read more]