Personal Story | Dr.TomWagner

Dr. Tom has been sharing refreshing, insightful essays on his Sunday Morning Café blog since 2009. Each Sunday, he brings his extensive experience from resilience research, counseling, and consulting to help you find more connection, meaning, and joy in life. We're so glad you're here to grow with this community!

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The Boundary of Freedom: Acceptance

Ever been stuck wishing life was different? A sick trip to Ireland, the adventures of a marital counselor, and a monk’s unexpected wisdom all point to one powerful truth. What if the thing standing between you and peace… is your refusal to accept what is?

Dr. Tom Wagner

Aug 25 min read

Hands sort scattered Polaroid photos on a wooden table, holding one beach snapshot; casual, nostalgic mood.

Intimacy with Self as Prerequisite for Intimacy with Another

Real intimacy with another—whether a friend, a spouse, or even God—requires deep self-knowledge that includes self-love. This article explores how coming to know your own signature stories and their impact can deepen intimacy with yourself.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jul 261 min read

Two silhouetted people stand on a pier at sunset, one holding a bottle, with orange sky and water reflections.

Soul Mates

What if a soul mate isn’t just “the one,” but one of the many people who help you feel at home in your own life? This reflection explores the sacred gift of the soul mate pod.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jun 216 min read

“Look Harder”

A well-written song takes you deeply into the experience of its author while awakening something familiar in your own. In this week’s article, Dr. Tom’s tender and deeply human reflection on his mother’s life invites us to remember the people whose love, laughter, and presence have shaped us.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jun 148 min read

Presents in Wrinkled Wrapping Paper

What if the path to intimacy with the Sacred runs straight through the lives of the sick, the frail, and the aging? This reflection explores how love reshapes itself when strength gives way.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jun 75 min read

A lone tree in a grassy field at sunset casts long shadows. The sky is partly cloudy, with patches of blue and glowing light. Serene mood.

“I Shall Die, But That Is All I Shall Do for Death” (Part One)

What allows a person to face the possibility of disability or death and still say, “I am at peace”? Keep reading for a reflection on mortality, courage, acceptance, spiritual grounding, and what resilience looks like when life becomes most fragile.

Dr. Tom Wagner

May 249 min read

Presents in Wrinkled Wrapping Paper

What if the path to intimacy with the Sacred runs straight through the lives of the sick, the frail, and the aging? This reflection explores how love reshapes itself when strength gives way.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Dec 14, 20255 min read

A person in a light shirt stands by the ocean at sunset, gazing at the horizon. A distant ship sails under a pastel sky, creating a serene mood.

A Storied Life

Some memories surface with more weight than others. This week’s reflection explores how to sit with them long enough to discover what they’re trying to say.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Nov 30, 20257 min read

Wooden canoe on a misty lake, surrounded by pine trees and calm water. Foggy atmosphere evokes tranquility in a natural setting.

How to Intentionally Shape Your Life with Foundational/Formational Stories

What stories are shaping you—quietly guiding your choices, bending your path, even when you don’t notice? Read on to rediscover how your own stories—told and untold—can become sources of strength and grace.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Nov 9, 20256 min read

A Muscular Gratitude

In the chaos of life, what happens when you stop long enough to savor? This article explores how small moments of grace can soften even the hardest memories.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Oct 26, 20256 min read