Good Days...Bad Days With Maureen Pratt

They are more than just bodies that stand or sit between you and your doctor. They know more than what your co-pay is or what the office hours are. But, oh, how often, do we forget that the front office workers at a physician’s office matter, really, they do!  And the better we can work…

Today, give yourself a breath of fresh air. Not just a shallow, timid gasp. A full-fledged, rejuvenating intake of blessed and cleansing oxygen. When we’re busy or tense, stressed or preocuppied, we might ignore the simple ways that we can reconnect, even for a moment, with God’s creation and the miracle that is our bodies.…

Earlier this year, I wrote an article for Saint Anthony Messenger that coincided with the 50th anniversary of the death of American author and devout Catholic Flannery O’Connor. It was a very personal piece, especially because Flannery had died from lupus at a too-young age and I had discovered her through the book, “The Habit…

You want to pray, you want to feel God’s comfort and love. But you’re in too much pain to sit, stand, or lie down without feeling consumed with hurt. When you think the pain is subsiding, you try again, but sharp stabs stop you and reminds you: Pain won’t go away. Whether it’s physical or…

This is a busy time of year for doctor’s appointments, tests, and other aspects of my healthcare management. But I can’t let the “other” aspects slide or lessen because other things fill my time. So, it’s nearly double-duty, with the appointments and exercise time, tests and rest. It can be very hard, now, to “stay…

Today is Veteran’s Day, and I want to thank all of the men and women who have served us, all those who have sacrificed and shown remarkable courage, dedication, and strength. Yes, thank you! Today’s TLC Tuesday is specially dedicated to our nation’s veterans. Whether decades ago, or recently, many have returned from the field…

On Friday evening, November 7, I was channel surfing when I happened upon a special program to honor evangelist and preacher Billy Graham’s 96th birthday (Rev. Graham was born on November 7, 1918). What drew me into it was the amazing array of individuals – politicians, entertainers, preachers, writers, and others – who took the…

If your prayer life has become a bit monotonous, or if you think you’re not making progress in your attempts at conversation with God, try varying your levels of prayer. What do I mean by levels? Think pace, height, and volume. First, try praying so quickly that you don’t enunciate clearly. This helps you focus…

All the efforts to standardize healthcare can be very confounding for those of us with chronic illness. We oh, so often don’t fit into the neat little codes and pigeon-holes developed by others, and we frequently find ourselves beyond frustrated with trying to explain complex situations to healthcare workers who expect everything and everyone to…

We all have our favorite books, movies, music, and other artistic creations. But sometimes, after we’ve listened to the same song over and over again, or watched the same movie for the um-teenth time, the art loses its impact. Does that mean we don’t like it anymore? Not at all. But it might mean we’re…

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