The 8 Best Spiritual Sound Bites of Graduation Advice
I can't remember all the speeches at my commencement ceremony. But I do remember looking up on the stage to see my best friend, the valedictorian of our class, sitting there among all the luminaries, and wondering how in the world she did that when English was her second language. It still blows me

posted 6:00:46am May. 22, 2012 | read full post »

Struggle With, Not Victory Over
It’s tempting for anyone who writes about depression and anxiety to preach from hindsight, after he has “recovered” from his mood disorder: “This is what I did to free myself from addiction” … “Here are five steps to instant weight loss” … “These are eight techniques to cure anxi

posted 6:18:15am May. 21, 2012 | read full post »

Ring the Bells That Still Can Ring
Last year this time I delivered the Commencement address to my alma mater, Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Since it is graduation season, I thought I'd repost it. Thank you, President Mooney. And thank you to all the professors and staff of Saint Mary’s, especially those who have c

posted 6:13:58am May. 17, 2012 | read full post »

Label Me, Please
For a long while I was afraid to write things such as "I am mentally ill" or "I am bipolar." I was afraid of labels. By calling myself a manic-depressive would I trap my psyche in "sick" mode? By accepting my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, would I prevent healing? By writing the words "I am menta

posted 6:00:59am May. 15, 2012 | read full post »

In Sickness and In Health
"On Wednesday, I will leave my husband of twelve years. He is a depressive. He uses prescribed medication and has available to him a phalanx of good therapists. But he also self-medicates with alcohol. He disdains therapy. He refuses to confront his disease."She communicated this partly as a respons

posted 6:00:56am May. 15, 2012 | read full post »