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A Collection of Stories Full of Wisdom and Life Experiences

February 21, 2013 in Adult Education with 0 Comments

Lee Anderson Bible PhotoLee Anderson / February 21, 2013
I am writing a story for my niece.  It’s a story based on my personal experiences.  I’m writing it for her because I care about her well-being and the course of her life, and I believe I have some bits of wisdom that will help her along the way.

Stories like mine are written every day.  They have been for centuries.  Storytelling is an age-old means of delivering important information in a memorable, meaningful way.

What if we could collect stories from many people, across many life spans, and put them together in one book?  It would be a collection of wisdom and life experience spanning centuries and personal histories.  If there is a common theme among these stories, ultimately it could become a book that helps people live a better life.  A book of guidance to which people could turn whenever they needed it, but also a book that can be read at any time, so that when the moment arises a person could think “Oh, yes, I remember a story with a similar situation.  I know what to do here.”  Maybe some of the stories impress a person so much that they even help shape his or her character. Continue Reading…

Depression During the Holidays

November 28, 2012 in Care with 0 Comments

Lee Anderson Holiday DepressionLee Anderson / November 28, 2012
There is a word that is linked to the holiday season that you won’t find on a Christmas card, or hear in a song, or see in a sale flyer:  depression. Yet Google the phrase “depression during the holidays” and you’ll find a slew of information.  I’m not talking about major depression; what many experience can be called the blues, and is more of a beneath-the-surface melancholy. It is sometimes present in the background and sometimes front-and-center, and it’s not very clear why it’s there. Continue Reading…

What You Feel is Not Who You Are

September 19, 2012 in Care with 3 Comments

Lee Anderson Lee Anderson / September 19, 2012
Mindfulness seems to be a buzz word these days.  The practice of mindfulness is growing in popularity as a way to overcome difficult emotions, manage stress, and to deepen one’s spiritual connection.  While the concept of mindfulness is most closely associated to Buddhism, the notion that one can focus on and find God in the present moment is a long-standing Christian idea as well.  The ancient Christian practice of Centering Prayer, rekindled by Father Thomas Keating and others, is a reminder of this. Continue Reading…

Precious Life

July 25, 2012 in Care with 4 Comments

Lee Anderson light in darkness imageLee Anderson / July 25, 2012
The world in which I work and move can be a dark and troubling one at times.  As a therapist, a staff person at Trinity, a friend or even stranger, I hear many sad and tragic stories.  My faith is a major part of taking care of myself in the midst of darkness.  I have learned to be intentional about padding my life with laughter, peace and joy – although I sometimes forget to do this!

The world is troubling for many right now.  We are inundated with tragic news such as the Aurora shootings and the Sandusky/Penn State scandal.  It’s hard to escape economic and political woes, and global crises both natural and human-made.  Laughter, peace and joy may seem hard to come by these days. Continue Reading…