Whenever I see someone lash out at another person, I've grown to ask myself, "What are they hurting from?" You see, pain is perpetuating. Hurt (adjective) people hurt (verb) people. This is why I make love a priority every day I'm blessed with another one to live. Won't you join me to make love aContinue reading "Hurt (adjective) People Hurt (verb) People"

DETROIT - FEBRUARY 05: Willie Parker #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, runs for a Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) When you hear the name Willie Parker, what doContinue reading "Get Your Mind Right"

The human tongue is the most dangerous weapon in the world. So small, yet so powerful. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word outContinue reading "Walk the (Good) Talk"

Having a mother who is 100% Syrian, and a grandfather who immigrated from Damascus, Syria, I knew there was a high probability my dominant ethnicity would originate from the Arab world. My father, who has a very Italian last name, would certainly contribute some Italian to my DNA makeup too. Well, the verdict is in.Continue reading "I’m a Gracist American"

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up,Continue reading "Teaching & Learning"

The late, great Fred Rogers treated everyone like a neighbor. When Mister Rogers extended the invitation, “Won’t you be my neighbor?” he was genuinely humanizing each of us and modeling the behavior of a loving neighbor. It was the same model of love the Good Samaritan offered in the Bible. This standard of behavior isContinue reading "Won’t You Help Me Grow Neighborly Love?"

And though this world, with devils filled,should threaten to undo us,we will not fear, for God hath willedhis truth to triumph through us.The Prince of Darkness grim,we tremble not for him;his rage we can endure,for lo, his doom is sure;one little word shall fell him.Martin Luther, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," translated by FrederickContinue reading "One Little Word: Forgiveness"

If you're like me, then you've learned attempting to control external circumstances is futile. Even if you kid yourself into believing you're in control, eventually you'll find out you're not. That "eventually" could be a very long time, even years. And that "eventually" could be a big wake-up call. You can figuratively (and perhaps literally)Continue reading "Self-Control is Really the Only Control We Have"