Paradox is holding two opposites as true at the same time. We live in paradoxical times that have polarized relationships and our nation. We tend to paint other people with harsh, broad brush strokes of black or white. Living with paradox requires empathy and invites reconciliation, seeking to unde

Growing up, it was always about them: 19 signs you may have been raised by a narcissistic mother or father. Learn to recognize the patterns!

Ohhh, I have been feeling totes emosh this week. On a rollercoaster. A few years ago, I would have judged all these intense emotional wobbles and asked: “WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME?!” But now I know it’s OK to go with the flow. More on that here…

Ideas for implementing your word of the year into your life once you've chosen it.

A relationship is like sailing in a sea – sometimes you go up with the high tides, and sometimes the same tides will bring you down. When you are at the peak

The morning is vital. It's the foundation from which the day is built. And that's why we should be mindful of how we speak to ourselves when we first wake up. What we tell ourselves first thing in the morning is a big part of what we hear for the rest of the day.

People have heard of and can recall the seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices and cardinal sins. But, so often we cannot name the virtues which help us overcome these sins! Rather than focusing on the sins which bog down our spiritual life, turn your eyes to the virtues which can help break the bonds of sin. The Catholic Church has distinctive categories of virtues. The 7 heavenly virtues, also called the Capital virtues, contrary virtues, heavenly virtues, are the virtues which overcome the 7 deadly sins: lust, greed, envy, anger, pride, and sloth. Chastity overcomes the sin of lust. Everyone could use more chastity in a world that is constantly displaying sexual images. The Catholic Bible tells us that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. The virtue of Chastity can help calm our lustful desire for sexual acts and restrain our wandering eyes. Generosity overcomes the sin of greed. Our lives can be filled with a yearning for material goods. Material objects can block our vision of Christ who told us to give to the poor. This means not only do we give what we have in “excess” but to surrender all of our time, money, and spiritual gifts to those in need. Temperance overcomes the sin of gluttony. Gluttony wants us to give into our self gratification for eating and drinking, among other things. Temperance is our ability to control ourselves and these desires. We may fall into the trap of self indulgence but during these times we can call upon the virtue of moderation. Kindness overcomes the sin of envy. Our love for someone should be without bias or spite. God blesses each of us in different ways. Envy will cause a rift in your relationship with God and others. Look upon your life with positivity rather than counting the ways God “hasn’t” blessed you. Meekness overcomes the sin of anger. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the world”. When He was confronted by angry crowds who wanted to torture and kill him, he prayed for them. How often do we become upset and consumed by trivial matters? Use Christ as your model, control your anger and resentment and cultivate patience through this virtue. Humility overcomes the sin of pride. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble! Pride is the devil’s sin, and just like him Satan wants us to hold ourselves up as gods. Everything we have is from God, and everything we do is derived from the gifts he has given us. By being modest we can turn outwards and lift up those around us. Diligence overcomes the sin of sloth. The virtue of diligence aids us in fulfilling our duties and cultivating a strong work ethic. Sloth draws us in to be lazy in all aspects of our life, physical and spiritual. We should develop our talents and gifts rather than keeping them wrapped up in sloth All other sins stem from 1 or more of these deadly sins. By praying for these 7 heavenly virtues we can keep each of these sins from creeping into our lives. Start praying for these virtues daily to help defeat Satan and these vices. Swap out your 7 deadly sins for these 7 heavenly virtues! For more information on the virtues and vices refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

I hope you have had an amazing first week back with your students. Our district calendar allowed for a full two weeks of winter break and it proved to be

Everything hurts.

Rude, Mean, VS Bullying Poster to help students differentiate between the 3 words/situations. You can use this poster as a beginning of the year lesson or as a reminder to students throughout the school year. This poster is included in my What is Bullying Lesson. PDF includes color and BW printabl...

This is good to remember.

18-year-old Harry Hambley is the artist behind Ketnipz comics. The UK-based artist chose a simple fun style to present his ideas. The main character of his webcomics is a unique but still relatable pink bean-shaped persona.

Abuse hurts, no matter the type or source. It damages the soul of the individual and leaves one feeling vulnerable, worthless, and hopeless.

Don't let the man get you down. These quotes prove we're all rebels at heart.

Have you heard phrases such as: You're too sensitive. I never said that. I was just joking. You're confused. I didn't do that. You're overreacting. Quit being so dramatic. If so, you might be experiencing gaslighting, an intentional twisting of the truth. Learn what gaslighting is and 5 tips for how

A person with narcissistic personality disorder cannot turn it off. It is not like you live with this person for years and have a wonderful relationship with them and all of a sudden their behavior…

Homesickness Quotes. "Maybe you had to leave in order to really miss a place; maybe you had to travel to figure out how beloved your starting point was."

Complex PTSD is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) caused by longstanding trauma, often from childhood by abusive families, rather than an isolated traumatic incident, such as rape or war. Compl…

Overthinking is common among anxious, perfectionists. It is obsessive thinking or ruminating. I recently wrote

Surround yourself with people who talk about visions and ideas, not other people. – Akin Olokun

So much Twitter love from my post about my walls this year. Y’all know how to make a girl feel good! I don’t have my lesson plans ready, and am not entirely sure what I’m doing on…

In the staff bathroom at my school something like this hung on the wall. I should have taken a picture but I was too caught up in it to think that far ahead. It kind of looked like this except a …

I put up a wall to keep you out … because I am wounded and fragile and afraid you will hurt me. You see my wall and feel rejected. You perceive my wall as a judgment or criticism of you. The space …