Personal Corner

Three masked people sit in a circle talking during a counseling session with coffee mugs nearby

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? When I was a young man, I developed a very serious mental illness. I struggled with this illness for a long time, up until very recently. When I got sick, I had no idea how my Blessed

March 11, 2026

Counselor comforts a distressed client on a couch during a discussion.

What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance? A while back, I was researching the meaning of my three names. My middle name, Rodriguez, which was my Mom’s maiden name, means “son of a famous power.” The suffix “-ez” in my middle name means “son of,” as

March 10, 2026

Two people holding hands during a counseling session, with a therapist taking notes nearby.

Who are your favorite people to be around? My favorite people to be around include my Wife, my Mother-in-Law, my Mom, my Siblings, my Extended Family, and my Friends, many of whom we lead in Bible Study. This is my cloud of witnesses. I have known mostly Everyone in this

February 20, 2026

Two people in a bright room having a conversation, seated on chairs with a small table between them.

If there were a biography about you, what would the title be? My life has been marked by an illness that is in its 39th year. Although I won’t identify it directly here, suffice it to say that it is a type of mental illness. Beginning early in my life,

February 17, 2026

People chatting in a modern living room, with one person reading from a book and others seated nearby.

What’s your favorite thing to cook? Probably going back centuries, the Mexican people (and other cultures, as well) prepare a wonderful treat, usually at Christmastime. I’m talking about tamales. In our Family, our Mom has been making them since I was little. As we all grew up watching her make

February 8, 2026

Three people in a bright office meeting, seated on white couches and discussing papers.

Write about a few of your favorite family traditions. We have a number of favorite family traditions that we practice at particular times of the year and also throughout the year. The tradition that stands out the most to me is how we worship and honor God every Sunday at

January 26, 2026

Man sitting cross-legged on grass, reading a book beside a water bottle and backpack outdoors.

What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time? Today’s prompt in WordPress was a fun one to consider. I thought of all the fun things I love to do: spending quality time with my Wife, playing games with my Family, cooking, watching our favorite TV programs and movies;

January 25, 2026

Three people in a meeting room discussing notes around a table

List five things you do for fun. In my counseling with my Clients, I often ask them to identify several interventions that they could do to develop better mental health. Sometimes, I get quizzical looks back, as they ask. “Like, what?” I then explain that doing things they enjoy will

January 23, 2026

Therapist meeting with couple in a living room, one partner upset and head in hand

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc. Anybody who knows me, knows that I go by Manny. My official first name on my birth certificate is Manuel, which was also my Dad’s name. As a child, we had a neighbor, an older woman named Lucy, who loved

January 21, 2026

Four people in business attire sit in a small discussion circle in an office lounge

Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved? In my life, I have always felt loved by God. As a child, I always sensed His presence in my life. Truly, I have walked with the LORD since I was at least five years old. I was born

January 18, 2026