Author Archives: richp45198

About richp45198

I am a clinical psychologist and have an abiding interest in matters spiritual.

Veterans’ Day 2022: A Piece of Paper

Posted on November 11, 2022 by richp45198

Veterans’ Day is certainly a day where we veterans pause and reflect on whatever time we spent in the military and in whatever capacity. What is in my thoughts and heart this year is what a humbling spiritual journey it … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Truth Is Out There (Maybe)

Posted on October 31, 2022 by richp45198

I am reading yet another book titled “The Four Agreements” (a very good book, by the way) in which the writer Miguel Ruiz posits what he has come to experience as The Truth. I have read many such books over … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dreams and the Spiritual Path

Posted on September 20, 2022 by richp45198

As John Sanford observed in his book The Kingdom Within, in biblical times dreams were viewed as a vehicle through which God would speak to us. That view has faded some and for a time was replaced thanks to Freud. … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Heroic Women of the Bible

Posted on August 31, 2022 by richp45198

As I work my way through the Bible for what I believe is the ninth time, I am again struck by the presence of heroic women and am also struck by how my Church has minimized the role of women. … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Successful Marriage

Posted on August 15, 2022 by richp45198

My wife and I once had a discussion of what contributes to a successful marriage. We (mainly she) came up with : respect, good communication, and a good sex life. When I respect someone, I speak to them in a … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , | 1 Comment

On The Shakers

Posted on July 18, 2022 by richp45198

On the Shakers Posted on January 2, 2017 by richp45198 I recently had the joy of visiting the Shaker Village at Sabbathday Lake in Maine. It is beautiful in its simplicity and dedicated to sustainability among many spiritual virtues. I wanted to repost … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

On Blue Collar Roots

Posted on June 25, 2022 by richp45198

On a shelf in my office is a large piece of coal. It is there as a reminder of where I come from and where my roots are. Those roots are solidly amidst what is now referred to as “blue … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

On Sobriety

Posted on June 3, 2022 by richp45198

Yesterday marked 39 years I have been clean and sober. I would like to claim credit for that but I can’t. It is a result of grace, receiving some very good help, and being blessed with supportive family and friends. … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Uvalde

Posted on May 27, 2022 by richp45198

I wanted to share this piece that appeared in the local online newspaper El Paso Matters. In the aftermath of the Uvalde shootings, we are hearing lots of rhetoric but little actual hope that legislative steps will be taken here … Continue reading →

Posted in spirituality | 1 Comment

On Conspiracy Theories

Posted on May 20, 2022 by richp45198

Conspiracy theories are nothing new. We have fostered them for centuries mainly to offer explanations for troublesome events. During my lifetime, the conspiracy theories around the assassination of John F. Kennedy have been the most wide-spread ones and are still … Continue reading →

Posted in psychology, spirituality | Tagged , , | 1 Comment