by Susan Mattern | | Happiness, Life
My family was talking about happiness the other evening. The six of us adults were having the usual banter back and forth about how to define happiness. Is it contentment? Is it measured in success? Is it just a fleeting emotion, whereas satisfaction a more lasting...
by Susan Mattern | | Forgiveness, Life, World Peace
Every Miss America contestant wishes for it. Hallmark must want it badly because it’s on almost every Christmas card. Everybody hopes for it. I’m pretty sure you want it. I know I do. World Peace. Peace on Earth. Peace on Earth is a tall order. But even...
by Susan Mattern | | Christmas Eve, Convent, Life, The Bell Tower
“Time for bed, postulants! It’s 7:30!” Sister Miriam’s scratchy voice penetrated the walls of the study hall. It was Christmas Eve, and all of us first-year nuns, called postulants, had been sitting obediently at our desks. Suddenly, we were...
by Susan Mattern | | Diet, Life
I started a diet a few weeks ago. The doctor wanted my husband to lose a little weight because of his back problems, and I saw it as an opportunity to be altruistic and selfish all at the same time. I would help him out by going on the same diet (the altruistic part),...
by Susan Mattern | | Atheist, Life, Religion, Values
I know, I know, I’m an atheist, and I don’t believe Jesus was the Son of God because I don’t believe in a God. But having been a Catholic for 38 years, and a nun for 6 of them, I do know something about Jesus. Or at least the values that Jesus...
by Susan Mattern | | Car, Life
I wrote a blog last week about the two things I wanted in a new car: cup holders and it had to be red! Well, we bought our new car. First of all, it wasn’t a red Ferrari, which I’m very glad about. Their mileage is terrible, and the price tag is $242,000....
