It was like getting punched in the stomach. I heard the words coming from my supervisor’s mouth and watched as she relayed the news of our company’s layoff, but it still felt surreal. After hearing the terms of departure, I was met by a security guard at my office where I was to immediately clear out. I was…
When the pandemic started here last Spring, I knew we were in for some changes. But I also thought by summertime we would surely be on our way back to “normal.” Well, we see that hasn’t happened, and it may not be like we were used to for a while longer. So, these days of confinement…
The pandemic we’re living through has brought on a lot of dark days for many individuals, including kids. But think back a few weeks ago, just prior to this worldwide dilemma. How were your children feeling at that time? Did you notice any ongoing behavior or attitudes in them that just didn’t seem quite right?…
Downpours of rain are one thing to endure, but storms of life are not always such a quick fix. Sometimes days turn into years when waves of hardship keep knocking us down. It feels as though the skies will never clear again. Find Shelter Last summer I went on an evening walk up a trail that would…
Darkness is great when we’re trying to sleep at night! But when nightfall starts crawling through our windows before 5:00 PM—as often happens during winter months—it can be rather depressive for many of us. Embrace the sunshine Normally, I enjoy walking on paths close to my home during evening hours after supper. But this time of year…
Suicide is on the rise.” I heard the somber statement again on this morning’s news. Recently, several cases of well-known, successful celebrities suddenly ending their lives have been mentioned over media outlets. We hear about them with shock and sadness—and so do our children! We may think about these headlines as sad or unfortunate. Kids,…
Meet one of our fabulous counselors—Lorraine Looney, LMSW. Lorraine joined the BabbCenter for Counseling team at the end of 2017. She provides counseling for children, adolescents, adults and families with a focus on substance abuse and co-occurring disorders as well as depression and anxiety, stress management, and grief counseling. Q. Where did you go to school? A. Boston University. I loved…
It is not unusual for pastors to be asked spiritual questions. It happens almost every single day in person, by email, by social media, or by telephone. And one of the questions that I get asked often is about suicide. Usually, the person is grieving over a loved one that took their own life and…
Taking care of your marriage is much easier than adjusting to a divorce.” #hindsight Life Status: Divorced Divorce rates as one of life’s most stressful events—just under death of a spouse or child. However, it’s also one of the most familiar life transitions in our culture. Regardless of how commonplace divorce may be, that doesn’t…
Change. We all yearn for it and at times we dread it, but it is an ever-present part of our lives. Encountering change is front and center each January. New year, new you; Best year ever; Meet your goals…all these phrases promise change with the hope of something “better.” I’ve learned that in my pursuit…