From the Chaplain's Desk

Keep Pushing

April 15, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

Recently, we discussed the discomfort of pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zones.

That discussion entailed a few words on pushing the right amount – getting the sweet spot between overextending ourselves and resting on our laurels.

Continuing along the subject of appropriate discomfort, is the reality that we will also feel scared and anxious at the very points of growth we’re hoping to reach.

[Read more…] about Keep Pushing

A Way To Be More Gentle

April 8, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

An essential part of being the kind of person many of us want to be is to become gentler in our speech.A common stumbling block to this is not grasping that others do not have the power to control our actions. It is, indeed, extremely difficult to be gentle with someone who attempts to control us.

Getting Uncomfortable Is Uncomfortable

April 1, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

Improving our lives entails discomfort.

Improvement can be tricky to realize, however, and just being uncomfortable is not a sign that improvement is on the horizon.

Dealing With Narcissists

March 18, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

The other day, I ran across an interesting post. In it, Melissa Hartwig, of Whole30 fame, summarized a talk she attended by psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula.

I wanted to share her thoughts with you all as I believe people with a God-centric worldview must be very clear about this concept in order to live a rooted, stable spiritual life.

Your Children Are Not Your Children

March 4, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

Last weekend, I had the great fortune to deliver a parenting seminar at the Islamic Society of Frederick (MD). This is a topic of the utmost importance and one that usually leaves me recalling the words of the late poet Kahlil Gibran.In his famous poem “On Children,” Kahlil Gibran starts with a jarring line: your children are not your children.

There are many other hard-hitting lines for parents to come to terms with in that poem – I recommend reading it and contemplating how it relates to our lives as parents (or children).

My thoughts on the subject are below.

Don’t Fall Prey to This Trick

February 25, 2018 by CMLMD Admin

COLLEGE PARK, MD –

God has portioned out a certain lot for each one of us in this life.

Superficially and as far as we can see with the worldly eye, some have it better than us and we have it better than some others. The reality of God’s wisdom in His portioning is a different story.

If we just go by face value, though, I think there is a point we should note.