Andrewtix
MY BLOGS
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The Quest for a Good Life
http://thequestforagoodlife.wordpress.com/
For the past 20 years, at least, I have dedicated myself to living a good life. This blog primarily is devoted to my reflections regarding this quest, and draws upon my Christian faith, knowledge of psychological science, and personal experiences. Topics vary, but include religion/spirituality, culture, happiness, relationships, work, and leisure.
LATEST ARTICLES ( 178 )
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6 Ways to Cope with Religious and Spiritual Struggles
In the 2023 song “God must hate me,” Catie Turner writes:“Do you ever see someone and think ‘Wow, God must hate me’‘Cause He spent so much time on them and for... Read more
Posted on 24 March 2024 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Is God Replaceable?
In recent years, many of us shifted our approach to religion and spirituality. Particularly in places with more resources, such as certain regions of the... Read more
Posted on 21 February 2024 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
One Insight from Indigenous Spirituality That Promotes Resilience
On February 1, 2012, American Indian Studies Professor, David Mathieu, received the call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Read more
Posted on 09 February 2024 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
How Contemplative Practices Promote Health and Well-Being
In a review of everything currently known about the topic, researchers recently developed a scientific model of how contemplative practices of various kinds... Read more
Posted on 12 January 2024 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
How to Make the Most of College
Like it has done for so many, college transformed me.It started on freshman move-in day. My dad, my brother, and I drove 4 ½ hours from my small town of 300... Read more
Posted on 21 August 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Encounter
by Czeslaw Milosz“We were riding through frozen fields in a wagon at dawn.A red wing rose in the darkness.And suddenly a hare ran across the road.One of us... Read more
Posted on 02 June 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Rediscovering a Religious Or Spiritual Life
Many of us are frustrated by religion. According to the General Social Survey – a large, representative survey done every few years for the past several... Read more
Posted on 24 May 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
5 Ways Religion Is Better Than Spirituality
I’ve taught a course in the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality for about 20 years. As part of this course, I often invite speakers to share their... Read more
Posted on 03 April 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
One Powerful Way to Help Young People Be Less Self-Focused
As a parent, an educator, and an uncle, I worry about this generation of young people.And there’s good reason to worry.For example, according to the recently... Read more
Posted on 13 March 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Quaker Advices and Queries
Within Christianity, some traditions emphasize a more mystical and spiritual approach than others. One tradition I’ve been particularly intrigued by is Quaker... Read more
Posted on 07 March 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Five Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being
For thousands of years, religious and spiritual communities around the world have organized themselves around specific practices they find meaningful. Read more
Posted on 23 February 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
In Awe of Death
My mom died from cancer when I was 14. Although her death wasn’t unexpected, it stunned me nonetheless.One particular moment in the days following my mom’s deat... Read more
Posted on 06 February 2023 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
One Insight to Bring Into 2023
One habit I’ve sort of unintentionally fallen into in recent years is a year-end review. That is, I’ve been finding it interesting to take some time between... Read more
Posted on 26 December 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
The Emotional Life of Jesus
When I imagine Jesus – similar to when I imagine the Buddha – what initially comes to mind is someone who was pretty emotionally flat or emotionally neutral.... Read more
Posted on 30 November 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Why Religious Fundamentalism Inspires Hatred (and What to Do About It)
Intermixed with much of the worst of human history is a religious motivation. This can be seen in the involvement of a religious motivation in the genocide... Read more
Posted on 11 November 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
What It Means to Have a Relationship with Jesus
One of the most basic – and yet for me, personally, one of the most confounding – aspects of Christian faith involves what it means to have a personal... Read more
Posted on 05 October 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Remembering Why We Live in This Place
My wife and I have often told a pretty bleak story about the town in which we live. Common refrains include “there’s nothing to do here,” “it’s too... Read more
Posted on 14 August 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
Other Options for Mental Health Care
The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis. The prevalence of mental illness and emotional symptoms of distress generally have been on the rise fo... Read more
Posted on 28 July 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
The Ways of the Fundamentalist and the Mystic
For many people, being religious means being a religious fundamentalist. From the media, this is the impression often given. However, decades of thinking and... Read more
Posted on 02 May 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY -
The Science of a Good Life
Two years ago today, the World Health Organization officially declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. Now, after two years of living with various restrictions,... Read more
Posted on 11 March 2022 BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY