Lecture to focus on hope

By KATE BLAIN- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Dr. Robert Wicks likes to quote poet Maya Angelou: "`There's nothing so tragic as a young cynic. A young cynic goes from knowing nothing to believing nothing.'"

In a Sept. 5 lecture sponsored by St. Bernard's Institute in Albany, Dr. Wicks hopes to stop cynicism in its tracks. Titled "The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart," his talk will focus on the prevention of "secondary stress," or burnout.

Dr. Wicks, the author of more than 30 books, is an expert in treating and mentoring "professional helpers" like priests, teachers and psychologists.

Changing perspectives

His talk, he said, will cover "the main threats to perspective and passion for people trying to live out the Christian life, and what people can do about it."

He told The Evangelist that he plans to draw ideas from three of his most recent books: "Living a Gentle, Passionate Life," "Seeds of Sensitivity: Deepening Your Spiritual Life" and "Everyday Simplicity: A Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth."

Keeping a "hopeful heart" helps ourselves and others, the author said. He cited a story about Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. A listener once called Archbishop Tutu a "holy man." When asked why he used that term, the listener said, "Because when I'm with Desmond Tutu, I feel holy."

"How do people feel when they're with us?" Dr. Wicks challenged.

Supports

He said he plans to cover "simple cornerstones" like friendship, perspective and prayer that people can use to help prevent stress.

A good first step to having a hopeful heart, said the author, is spending two minutes a day "in silence, solitude and wrapped in gratitude."

He noted that many people are surprised when he suggests such a short period of silence. "People say, `Only two minutes?'" he remarked. "I say, `Well, how much are you doing now?'" He added that most people learn two minutes can be a long time.

Friendship

Dr. Wicks will also offer specific tips on friendship, including four types of friends to look for. He believes everyone needs "prophets, cheerleaders, harassers and spiritual friends" in their lives.

He hopes to correct some mistaken ideas, as well: namely, the difference between living in "chronos" (secular time) versus "kairos" (which he defines as "what God is calling us to").

"God is calling us not to be successful, but to faithfulness," Dr. Wicks stated. "When we die, God will hold us responsible for all the gifts we had that we didn't enjoy."

If people enjoy what's in their lives, he said, "they can minister to people just by who they are, not what they do."

("The Simple Care of a Hopeful Heart," St. Bernard's Institute's fall lecture, will be given Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m., at St. Vincent de Paul parish, Albany. The event will include evening prayer; music ministers will be Kim and Reggie Harris. For information, call 453-6645.)

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