Ever felt like your therapist understood your words but missed the mark on understanding you? You're not alone. It's not just about intellectual comprehension; it's about feeling safe, seen, and heard. We all crave emotional attunement, especially in therapy. While it's tempting to assume that a therapist who shares our…
In our quest for wholeness, we're called to dive deep, beyond the surface, into the layers of our being. Why embark on this journey? So that we have greater capacity for life. As we embark on the path of healing, let's cultivate a profound capacity to embrace life fully. It's…
In this video, I delve into the journey of personal vocation discernment across different stages of faith, inspired by the book 'The Critical Journey'. I share my insights on how our inner journey and the process of discerning our personal calling evolves from the initial stages of discovering God, moving…
Integration isn't just about bringing things together; it's about recognizing the intricate layers of our existence. Our Outer Layer is where life's events unfold, where relationships bloom, and circumstances shape us. It's the tangible world we navigate daily. Our Inner Layer dicesdeeper into our emotions, thoughts, and sensations. Here, your…
When you've found someone to potentially walk alongside you on your spiritual path, remember: discernment requires action. You need to experience it. So, if you've had a positive encounter — perhaps during a retreat or through a recommendation — take that next step.Ask, inquire if he or she can journey…
Discovering your spiritual path is like navigating through different landscapes, each offering unique insights and challenges. Whether you're just starting or deepening your connection with God, understanding your journey's phase is important. But as we progress, our needs evolve. What once served us might feel stagnant, and we yearn for…
In this video, I share my personal experience with spiritual midlife crisis, something I hadn't known existed until I found myself deeply enveloped in it over the past eight years. I share about the difficult and transformative phases of my journey, including moments of doubt, deep introspection, and the deconstruction…
As we traverse the winding paths of our lives, our needs evolve, our desires shift. It's vital to pause and reflect: What are you truly in need of at this moment? Are you in need of a compassionate listener, who will hold space for your doubts and questions without judgment?…
As we journey alongside spiritual directors or therapists, the evolution of our relationships can sometimes blur boundaries. It's essential to recognize when a shift occurs, ensuring we honor the sanctity of the professional relationship. In therapy, the line between professional and personal is firmly drawn. However, in spiritual direction, nuances…
In this video, I introduce and share reflections from “The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith,' by Janet O. Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich. This remarkable resource opened my eyes to the stages of faith development, reinforcing the crucial role of experiential learning and integrating emotional healing with…
As we journey through life, our paths intertwine with those who guide us spiritually or therapeutically. These individuals bring skills, training, and unique gifts to aid our growth. Yet, they, like us, are limited beings. Your current guide may perfectly align with your needs now, fostering growth in this season…
We often find ourselves grasping tightly, trying to hold it all together. It's ingrained in us, perhaps part of our coping mechanisms. But what if, just for a moment, we let that veil be lifted? In those moments of contemplation, the world expands. Suddenly, we realize we are not meant…
In this video, I share my personal journey from having a disembodied faith, which was largely intellectual and disconnected from my emotional and physical experiences, to developing an embodied faith that integrates my beliefs with all aspects of my life. I delve into what disembodied faith means, why many of…
In the midst of life's chaos and challenges, there are these fleeting moments, imperceptible yet profound. It's as if a veil is lifted, revealing a reality beyond our suffering. In that space, nothing has changed, yet everything feels different. These are the moments of contemplation, where we're held in the…
What does discernment mean to you? It's often about seeking God's will and being open to hearing His voice, right? But why do we sometimes freeze? Why do we feel paralyzed in our decision-making? In this episode, I dive into a personal example of discernment in my personal journey and…
In this episode, I share my deeply personal reflections on what it means to lay down my life in alignment with Christ, but without feeling lesser for it. Growing up in an enmeshed family system with rigid expectations of selflessness, ingrained through my Catholic upbringing, I faced challenges in understanding…
In this video I discuss four distinct and deepening layers of knowing ourselves - Intellectual, Experiential, Affective and Unitive. As interior pilgrims we need to understand why self-knowledge needs to go beyond knowing about ourselves to learning how to attune to our inner selves and knowing how to lead ourselves…
Ever felt paralyzed when trying to make a decision? You're not alone. In this episode of the Becoming Me Podcase, we explore the fear of acknowledging our emotions and how it impacts our ability to discern God's will. Our emotions are the raw data for discernment. But what if acknowledging…
Laws and commands, when rooted in love, resonate from within. When we receive them with open hearts, we realize they are not impositions from external forces but echoes of our own inner wisdom. Do we feel the gentle nudging of love within, guiding us towards forgiveness and compassion? Or do…
The path to integration isn't paved with predetermined outcomes or picture-perfect endings. It's a journey of growth, a process of becoming, guided by our faith and commitment. We may find ourselves captivated by the allure of heroic virtues or the fantasy of perfect love and forgiveness. But let's pause and…
Personalism teaches us that each of us is precious, deserving of love, respect, and honor. It reminds us that our interactions should be guided by love and compassion, just as St. John Paul II emphasized. On the flipside, with Individualism, could our struggles with excessive individualism stem from a deeper…
There's a common belief that self-care falls into two categories: "healthy" and "unhealthy." The former involves discipline and long-term commitment, while the latter is seen as frivolous and indulgent. But here's the thing: making rigid distinctions between these forms of self-care isn't as helpful as we might think. From an…
It's crucial not to downplay the reality of harmful relationships. We're called to love our enemies, yes, but that doesn't mean ignoring the toxicity. Recognize that love in such relationships looks vastly different from healthy ones. When interacting with toxic family members, be aware that you're stepping into a potentially…
Recognizing toxicity and abuse within our families isn't always easy, especially when it's deeply ingrained in our culture. It's often simpler to spot these issues in others' families than in our own. But it's crucial to develop the eyes to see the harm, even if it's normalized. As disciples of…