Thinking Outloud

Japan's tsunami : the Will of God? My thoughts, from my column for the Savage Pacer : Spiritual Reflections: God suffers along with us during natural disasters

I love Lauren Winner. We have never met, but I think of her as a spiritual friend. Dislocated exegesis | The Christian Century

Male and female brains really are different - but not in ways you may think. Boy brain, girl brain: How the sexes act differently - image 2 - life - 08 March 2011 - New Scientist

I recently had a conversation with a mentor, in which I was the subject. Sharing as I was, I was surprised to find myself feeling increasingly confused and annoyed. I kept talking, and continued to listen to the detailed feedback, but I felt increasingly alone, misunderstood and distressed. Why? Because the first thing I needed, and expected, I think, was some empathy. It wasn't therapy, but it was still very personal conversation. I expected more support and companionable sensitivity. Emotional affinity. That wasn't what I experienced. So I was reminded - in a very personal way - that the very first thing that I must bring to the therapy or supervision conversation, the first thing I offer to the one who sits, vulnerable, across from me in my office, is compassion. Understanding. Empathy first. It's the necessary start of healing.