What Works: Gossip
Gossip seems like the main form of entertainment these days. We’re bombarded with the ups and downs, the personal embarrassments, of entertainers, politicians, and a whole swath of people on...
View ArticleWhat Works: Pentecost and Boldness in the Holy Spirit
The beginning of Acts 2 reads like a breathless passage from a Hollywood screenplay: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound...
View ArticleWhat Works: Solo playdates
In my column about nonnegotiables, I talked about Julia Cameron’s concept from The Artist’s Way of the “artist date” — where you make a playdate with yourself to do something creatively enriching....
View ArticleWhat Works: Vacation Advice from the Pope
The pope has made several comments concerning vacations, which were highlighted in a piece on the Vatican Radio website. Whether he's your spiritual leader or not, he touches on some powerful ideas, so...
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What Works: Re: The Busy Trap
A June 30 NY Times Opinionator blog post by Tim Kreider called “The Busy Trap” created a lot of buzz among my friends, shared on Facebook with comments like, "If you read only one thing, ever, read...
View ArticleWhat Works: CNN’s epic fail is a lesson on false urgency
Very few things are actually important to know in real time. Some things are fun to know in real time, like watching live sports or reality show results episodes, but it is rare that our knowing...
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Saint Hildegard of Bingen: Newest Doctor of the Church
Country: Germany Born: 1098 Died: September 17, 1179 Religion: Roman Catholic Beloved by both Pope Benedict XVI and feminist theologians, found in the lists of both Catholic saints and New Age heroes,...
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Thomas Merton: Pivotal Modern Contemplative
Country: United States Born: January 31, 1915 Died: December 10, 1968 Religion: Roman Catholic Writer, poet, anti-war activist and Trappist monk Thomas Merton helped make Catholicism relevant for a...
View ArticleWhat Works: On the Way
I’m honored and excited to tell my longtime column readers here that I’ve been invited to start a blog on Patheos. This column isn’t going anywhere, but I want to share what’s happening in the blog....
View ArticleRe: Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus
As the viral video “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus,” by Jefferson Bethke, approaches 18 million views, I will add my response into the clutter. I’ve seen pro-life responses. I’ve seen Catholic...
View ArticleYouCat, a Compelling New Way of Approaching the Catechism
Everyone registered for World Youth Day is getting a free copy of YouCat in their native language as part of their registration packet, as it is officially introduced in Madrid. When YouCat was...
View ArticleDo not let yourselves be robbed of hope! And not only that, but I say to us...
Today, send a message of encouragement to someone who is going through a tough time.…
View ArticleThere’s hope./It doesn’t cost a thing to smile./You don’t have to pay to...
Today, make a list of alternative Christmas gifts or gifts that won’t cost a thing to give this year. Here are some ideas.…
View ArticleThe only real blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in...
Today, after a long weekend of spending in stores and online, participate in #GivingTuesday to kick off the giving season. Donate $10 or more to help Busted Halo continue to bring you moments of hope...
View ArticleYesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is...
Don’t immediately respond to texts, phone calls or the urge to report your every move on Facebook today. It can wait. Instead be present to the moment and who you’re with.…
View ArticleThe Way: A Pilgrimage Worth Taking
The Way, written and directed by Emilio Estevez (Bobby) and starring his father, Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now, The West Wing, The Departed), is rather obviously about the spiritual journey. The Camino...
View ArticleWhat Works: SAD That DST is Ending
Every year, at the beginning of warm weather, I encourage everyone to get out in the sun and experience nature, but it’s important to respect… The post What Works: SAD That DST is Ending appeared first...
View ArticleWhat Works: Between acceptance and thirst
We are told it is natural to thirst for fulfillment in aligning our life with God’s plan for us and to thirst for the kingdom… The post What Works: Between acceptance and thirst appeared first on...
View ArticleWhat Works: The Gratitude List
This is the last column to run before Thanksgiving, so I want to talk to you about gratitude. I could write a dozen columns about gratitude in various forms; for this column, I'm going to focus on one...
View ArticleWhat Works: Conscious Gift Shopping
Many "alternative" gift articles suggest non-gifts -- things like giving to charity in the person's name, or giving service rather than a thing -- but choosing a present specifically for another...
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