Center for Pastoral Counseling of Greater Philadelphia

The Desert Times of Our Lives by Donna Liu MS LPC I now see the desert times in my life as an invitation to deepen my relationship with God, my Creator/The Divine/Love, with others and with myself. When I have experienced desert moments; feelings of abandonment, rejection, confusion, deep sadness, loss etc. I initially felt frightened and alone. There was a deep hole within me that I could never imagine being filled. My desert moments would make me feel powerless, they wou...ld scare me and bring me into a darkness that I did not understand. By embracing these moments I have discovered that the darkness is an invitation to healing. It is an invitation to stop, reflect, be still, pray, and wait until I can see the light again. I now see the darkness as a gift of healing and renewal; a time for emotional and spiritual growth. For without the darkness we can not see the light. Our pain always has something to teach us. If we run from it by keeping busy, numbing with addictions (food, alcohol, drugs, etc) we prevent ourselves from healing. Psychotherapy, spiritual direction, choosing a daily contemplative practice, self-care, journaling, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, prayer, and mindfulness all are ways to slow down, let go of the illusion of control, and to begin to trust that the love within us will guide us through the pain. This love will bring us to a new awareness; new experiences, and can open the door to new beginnings. We all want the quick fix, the pain to go away, but it never will, until we choose to Be Still and ask ourselves, What can I learn from this experience? What have I been neglecting in my life? Where am I being called to now? What gifts in my life have I been taking for granted? What truly brings meaning to my life? What habits do I need to break? What negative self-talk do I need to stop? What do I need to let go of? When we are still, the questions we need to answer for ourselves will come. And as we follow the light, step by step, it will get brighter and brighter and we will realize that we have come through the pain with new awareness, new direction and we will have to courage to live again. If you are experiencing a desert period in your life, please feel free to call us at The Center for Pastoral Counseling of Greater Philadelphia. We are here for you. We care and we see it as a privilege to share in this journey of healing with you. Peace, Donna Liu MS LPC 484-442-0064

A great reminder!!

Caregiver Support Group Are you caring for a loved one at home and are feeling drained, frightened, angry, resentful, burned out? If so please contact me via email at [email protected]. I am also putting together a Telehealth Caregiver support group now. Limited to 8-10 participants. Please feel free to click on the link below or call me at 484-442-0064 for more information. You are not alone. Reaching out is the first step to finding support and healing. Peace, Donna Liu MS LPC https://www.psychologytoday.com//therapists/donna-l/98185

Listen, reflect (pause), respond appropriately.

Break the cycle of codependence! I used to spend so much time reacting and responding to everyone else that my life had no direction. Other people's lives, problems, and wants set the course for my life. Once I realized it was okay for me to think about and identify what I wanted, remarkable things began to take place in my life. Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go: Hazelden Meditation Series

https://www.aarp.org///info-2020/face-mask-etiquette.html

In this episode Sonya Renee Taylor and I talk about body shame, radical self-love, and social justice. This conversation was a big unlocking for me especially when it comes to understanding the connection between how we think about our bodies and oppression. "I highly recommend this podcast!" Donna Liu MS LPC

This poem is stunning. Just wanted to share it. It is used in the Reform Jewish liturgy, as an optional reading, before Kaddish Every once in a while, a poem o...r song is so well constructed, so clearly conveys the authors meaning and is so precisely expressive that it becomes something of an anthem. The poem below, Epitaph, was written by Merrit Malloy and as one of those poems, has become a staple of funeral and memorial servicesfor good reason. Epitaph - By Merrit Malloy When I die Give what’s left of me away To children And old men that wait to die. And if you need to cry, Cry for your brother Walking the street beside you. And when you need me, Put your arms Around anyone And give them What you need to give to me. I want to leave you something, Something better Than words Or sounds. Look for me In the people I’ve known Or loved, And if you cannot give me away, At least let me live on in your eyes And not your mind. You can love me most By letting Hands touch hands, By letting bodies touch bodies, And by letting go Of children That need to be free. Love doesn’t die, People do. So, when all that’s left of me Is love, Give me away.