In Session with Dr. Patricia Pitta

“Let There Be Peace on Earth and Good Will To Men.”

(Luke

2:14)

In this time of Christ’s resurrection, I am reminded of Christ’s birth. He came to us to be the light that helps his followers save themselves and humanity. He died for us to show us the way of redemption proven by His resurrection.

In this time of heightened anxiety on community, state, national and global levels, people feel helpless. Many say they don’t listen to the news any longer because it makes them anxious, and they feel helpless. What can you do about the many events in our world that seem so destructive and out of our control?

As I see it, we can do something, each one of us, by building peace within you through developing the strongest relationship you can with GOD. You might ask, “How can this help bring about peace in your local world or in far reaching lands?” The stronger your relationship with GOD, the more centered you will be in strength and goodness to help yourself and those around you. You never know who you touch and how that connection will influence another. They will integrate the love you show them and share with another; and before you know it, positive actions and reactions are shared with others.

As I interact with you in a positive and loving way, you will internalize that and your next interaction with someone, somewhere, can be positive and loving, too. That person you interacted with will share the love with someone else through a word, gesture, or some act. This is known as a “transmission process”. In families, psychologists talk about generational transmission processes. Families influence the next generation by how they interact with them and then the next generation repeats many patterns and, of course, puts their own signature on it, and the hope is that the good continues.

So, as you work on developing your own inner peace, you are creating more peace on earth. As you share in the Easter celebration of Christ’s resurrection and new beginnings, you can create new beginnings right in your own environment with your family, friends and community.

Be sure to make prayer a part of your celebration. You can also ask each person to think about beginning something positive for themselves in this season of Christ’s resurrection that will not only influence their own personal life, but those they touch. Do make prayer a focus with the intent of creating a safer and less violent world with peace at its center. Below is a prayer you can say alone or in community.

Happy Easter from the St. Mary’s Mental Health Ministry.

As I sit with others in humble gratitude for JESUS’ suffering, death, and resurrection, may I be inspired to touch another with the love and compassion that JESUS bestows on me. Amen.

Dr. Pitta (drpatriciapitta.com) is a Clinical and Board-Certified Couple and Family Psychologist practicing in Manhasset and is the chair of the Mental Health Ministry of St. Mary’s. She is a professor of psychology at St. John’s University and a graduate of the Pastoral Formation Institute of Rockville Centre. Dr. Pitta is the author of Solving Modern Family Dilemmas: An Assimilative Therapy Model published by Routledge and Integrative Couple and Family Therapy published by the American Psychological Association.

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