Every once in a while, you read a book that resonates deeply, because it names something you’ve seen in the human heart. The Courage to Be Dislike d   by Ichiro Kishimi is one of those books. Its ideas about personal responsibility, freedom from people-pleasing, and letting go of control over others’ opinions speak directly to the struggles many people carry.  Many of the people I counsel struggle deeply with feeling responsible for everyone’s emotions. They fear disappointing others. They...

The New Year has a way of stirring something deep in us. There’s something about turning the calendar that invites reflection—sometimes hopeful, sometimes heavy. New workout plans, new healthy diet plans, new resolutions that this time  we will stick to!  We talk about fresh starts and clean slates, but for many, January also brings a quiet inventory. Goals we didn’t meet. Conversations we wish had gone differently. Decisions we second-guess. People we hoped to serve better. And whether we...

Leading Like a Woman in the Church: If God Can Use a Donkey, He Can Use You