I found out what tends to happen when someone frequently watches porn. Real people no longer measure up; their partner is considered less exciting.

As we know, any time we use something as it is meant to be used, we save ourselves from unnecessary suffering. Social media is not the exception. Not only does misuse of social media actually make us antisocial while we are online, it takes away from our experiences in reality.

Our stories are capable of bringing so much light and life into our broken world and our broken people. It is even capable of mending our own broken hearts. It's in doing the very thing that scares us that helps us to conquer our fear. Then fear no longer has any power over our lives--setting us free.

I am no doctor, but I did study psychology, therefore if you suffer from anxiety or depression, diagnosed or not, firstly, seek help and secondly, EXERCISE! The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that nearly 60% of adults with a mental illness did not receive mental health services in the previous year. That's a huge number! Mental illness is a real issue and it should be treated as such. Do not be afraid to seek help or to reach out to someone you trust. Forget about the stigmas and focus on what you need and what's best for you. 

I am just depressed: plagued with anxiety; the inability to maintain routine, do work, eat; and fatigued by the act of sleep. So is it really true that if I am depressed - even to the point of suicidal ideation - I must not love Christ? I want to propose stigmas and questions I receive about depression and my answers to them as a Catholic woman.

Without even knowing it, I began to see food as a means to God. I became vegetarian last Lent because, personally, I have found it to be a beautiful way to experience God. I can now look at my grapes and think, "Wow, God created these for my body!" He has ordered a lot of disorder.

About three years ago I learned the beauty of working out for a purpose. I don't mean the "I want to lose five pounds" or "I want to tone up my legs" kind of purpose - which I think are great reasons, by the way! BUT (get ready for it), have you ever worked out for someone else? 

Text messaging is  one of the most useful tools in our modern means of communication...However, I have a huge complaint: text messaging has made adults regress into adolescence.

I found out what tends to happen when someone frequently watches porn. Real people no longer measure up; their partner is considered less exciting.

…has anyone else had their heart broken and wondered, “What the heck am I supposed to do now?” I’ve got you! As someone who has had her heart broken and lived to tell the story, I’m here to tell you that despite what you feel, your life isn’t over.

I’m not going to tell you, “Don’t worry, everything will be OK and fall into place again.” This healing journey depends on you, if you acknowledge your need for it and take the steps to begin.

Settling in your romantic relationships is really not God's will for your life; it's the devil’s. Why is that? Because after a year has passed and the wedding pictures are all framed in your new home, the doubts will start to creep up in your sleep and you will be taunted by the reminder that you settled. Your heart wasn't fully in it and so by then your heart would be on its way out. The depression, and possibly the divorce, would soon follow.  

While to anyone on the outside looking in, this may sound bizarre, but the problem is that codependency often masks itself as compassion. I always thought I was doing what any good Christian, daughter, sister or friend would do. I was looking out for those I loved the most, what was so wrong with that?

When you really look at it, we all have disabilities and weaknesses, some of us have them on the inside where you can't see, and some you can see from the outside. Yet, we are not called to judge, but to love.

It’s beautiful if you are writing letters to your future spouse. It’s beautiful if you are one of those who is a witness to how this practice can help young women. I’m not trash talking this whole idea. I truly see the beauty and fruits. But my story of discovering that this wasn’t the best thing for me is also beautiful. I know my vocation but the future has yet to come.

Dating, in general, is risky. You put your heart on the line and it may or may not work out, it isn’t always a guarantee. The difference, I find, in dating (in person) and online is how much more forward and direct you must be. Let me explain. Through online dating, I am specifically searching for a significant other, not friends.

So should you not date the sweetheart just because he’s not Catholic? I think the bigger question here is, what are the characteristics you are looking for in the man you want to date and possibly have a future with? These virtues and characteristics are what should help you determine whether or not he gets a chance to take you out for ice cream; not so much whether he knows the Catechism of the Catholic Church cover to cover.

Platonic relationships between men and women are definitely possible! Yet, because same-sex friendships are not exactly the same as friendships with someone of the opposite sex, this requires some prudence on behalf of both parties.

Because death is inevitable, grief is a reality that all of us will face at some point in our life. Grief can be a powerful teacher. I wanted to share some of the things I have learned in the process.

If you have been given a diagnosis of a threatened miscarriage, do not be afraid. Surrender your child to God who is the creator of life and maintain peace in your heart.

Have you ever been so sure about something that when you realized you were wrong, your whole world was shattered? When I realized I was wrong about my vocation, my world was not shattered but, actually, it was rebuilt.

Mary treasured God’s promises in her heart. Her trust in God got her through the excruciating agony that she bore in her heart.

As we’re a few weeks into lent, I propose to you that we we abstain from an orphan mentality in our spiritual life. I propose that we turn a deaf ear to the devil’s provocations, “If you are the son of God…” knowing that we are sons in the Son. May we know in our deepest core the truth that we are daughters of God our Father.