Dr. Martha Lucas holds a Ph.D. in Research Psychology as well as a degree in Chinese Medicine. She has more than 20 years of teaching and speaking experience. While Lucas loves practicing Chinese medicine and writing, her absolute favorite role in life is that of grandmother.
In Catholic Daughters of Catholic Mothers, Dr. Lucas candidly recounts memories of her Catholic daughter's childhood. The book beginning with her parents choosing which saint to name her after and continuing through her Catholic grade school education, taught by nuns, the founders of America’s parochial schools. This memoir portrays strict discipline and rules of a system where independent thinking was discouraged. Everything was forbidden, everyone was a sinner, and every bad action could result in “going to Hell.”
How would you describe yourself and your life in seven words?
I love my family and my work.
Besides being a writer, what other types of jobs and careers have you held?
My careers have included Practitioner of Chinese medicine, Research Psychologist, Professor, Administrative Assistant, and even a waitress at Krispy Kreme.
I'm particularly proud of my Pulse Diagnosis Biofeedback and Balancing course that I teach worldwide. And my course that focuses on treating fertility challenges in men and women, which was born while treating one of my daughters who has an autoimmune condition.
How did you juggle life, learning, and career with motherhood while your children were growing up?
Probably not very well when my children were young, and I was a single mother working part-time and pursuing my Ph.D. I am blessed that all of my children are fine and they have good lives, but they do remember (and like to remind me) about living what they called “the ghetto life” of being home alone while I worked or was at school.
Maybe this is why I am so committed to being available to my grandchildren. While I love practicing Chinese medicine and writing, my absolute favorite role in life is that of grandmother. I adores my grandchildren and spends as much time as I can with them.
How did the idea for your book come to you?
Over the years, just thinking about being a Catholic daughter has shaped my life. In my adulthood, I started to question church authority while grappling with my own identity. I found myself becoming what I call an “ambiguous” Catholic. It influenced me to help other women move through the emotional issues that religious influences during childhood can create.
What was your favorite scene or section to write?
I really enjoyed writing the chapter on Confession, mainly because it seems so ludicrous--almost funny if it wasn’t so wrong and sad--to have 7-year-olds feeling like they have to make up sins in order to please the priest in their confessions. What 7-year-old has sin?
This book also has a guided journal, the questions based on my experiences and desires to help others discover their truth. It allows readers to explore their Catholic mother-daughter ties and reflect on important life lessons. And the questions will help anyone, even if they aren’t a Catholic daughter of a Catholic mother.
What other projects are you working on that you would like to tell us about?
I’m writing an anti-aging guide book about how to age as well as possible. I'm also writing a book about feeling the unconditional love of a grandchild and the sadness that happens when they grow up and that unconditional love seems to go away.
I teach Chinese Medicine courses worldwide including a Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture System for face and neck, which is one of the best ways to keep our skin looking younger. In order to enhance the aging process even further, I have created My Zen Skin Care, a natural skin care line that uses Chinese herbs and essential oils with active cosmeceuticals to benefit your skin.
Thanks to Dr. Lucas for taking the time to tell us about herself. Use the links below to learn more about her life and career.
CONNECT WITH DR. LUCAS
books2read.com/catholicdaughtersjournal (Where to Purchase Book)
acupuncturewoman.com | myzenskincare.com | lucasteachings.com
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