Resilience | 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!

Learn more about Project SMC here.

Get the SMC blog in your inbox here.

Co-habitating with Cobras & Other Common Human Experiences

How do you co-habitate with a cobra and not get bit? Discover spiritual reflections and practices for life’s toughest moments.

Dr. Tom Wagner

4 days ago5 min read

Massive rock cliffs with vibrant green grass towering over the sea in Ireland in soft light

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

St. Louis musician Royce Martin with Focal Point in the background

The Universal Call to Creativity

Creativity doesn’t belong only to musicians, artists, or geniuses. From a musician’s fifteen-hour creative days to a mother’s gift for gathering people, this reflection explores the many ways the human spirit answers the call to create.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jul 124 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

How Did You Play When You Were a Child?

The way you played as a child may hold wisdom for the adult you are now. This reflection explores how playful movement can become a recipe for resilience and joy.

Dr. Tom Wagner

May 171 min read

A person hugs two children under a metal roof. One child wears a hat with a heart symbol. The mood is warm and comforting. Black and white.

Unbroken: Part Two

Even a small, steady experience of love can anchor a person through trauma. This reflection explores how that same capacity exists in all of us, both to receive and to give.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Apr 269 min read

Two children run on a beach at sunset, casting long shadows on the wet sand. The sky is a gradient of orange and blue, creating a serene mood.

Unbroken

Even in the worst conditions, the human spirit finds ways to survive. This article explores how those small acts of survival can become the foundation for healing.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Apr 199 min read

Relationship Repair: The Heart of Resilience

Close relationships will expose parts of you that still need maturing. The question is not whether you’ll fail — but whether you’ll repair. This reflection walks through what a real apology requires.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Feb 152 min read

Why You Do NOT Have to Marry the Wrong Person

Your choice of spouse is the most important decision you will ever make. Here is a set of procedures, based on common-sense research, to choose a spouse wisely.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Feb 14 min read

Woman laughing at dinner table with carved turkey. Candles, autumn decor, and wine create a warm, festive atmosphere.

A Thanksgiving Primer

You don’t have to be an iconographer to frame something holy. This article invites you to consider how things like Thanksgiving traditions become the canvases that hold our most enduring stories.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Nov 23, 20255 min read