Reflections (Page 11)

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill and the banner image is his original artwork. Wednesday, May 27 My personal experience with seeking and maintain serenity has changed over the years as I’ve grown in my spiritual life. I did a search to see how Google defines serenity and the first result was; the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. That sounds great! I know it would be easy for me to be calm, peaceful, and untroubled on a…

Tuesday, May 26 When I was eighteen years old and attending Humboldt State University in the redwoods of northern California, a speaker came to the college. He was Leo Buscaglia, a professor from USC where he taught the course LOVE 1A.  Leo was a large Italian man with a graying beard and dancing eyes and a hearty laugh.  For one hour, he captivated his audience of young adults with stories of living life.  He told us how after eating a…

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill Monday, May 25 When I think of the word joy, my first thought is, what makes me happy? I love art, cooking, singing and gardening—all of these give me great joy. Doing things that directly benefit me require little sacrifice. I have learned another form of joy that isn’t always easy to obtain, offer, or embrace. I am referring to the joy that is felt in being of service to others, which asks…

Friday, May 22 A woman had a friend over for tea.  As they prepared the tea in the kitchen, she looked out the window into the yard next door and saw her neighbor hanging up her laundry. “Look at those clothes,” she said to her friend.  “They are not even clean.  She’s hanging up dirty clothes.”  Her friend came over to the window to look.   She peered through the window, then took her hand and rubbed the glass.  “It’s not…

Today’s reflection was written by Brian O’Neill Thursday, May 21 I am a very driven and goal-oriented person. I wouldn’t say that I am type A but maybe more of a B+, if there is such a thing? I strive for perfection in work, gardening, cooking, and any endeavor that I attempt. Even as I sit and write this blog post there is a big part of me that wants it to be perfect. To insist on perfectionism in myself…

Wednesday, May 20 Earlier this week, a reader ended her comment with the phrase  “as we all travel this unknown path together.”  An unknown path…immediately all kinds of images came to my mind. I thought of the many hikes I have taken through the Adirondacks, along the coast of Maine, and on the Pacific Coast. When I think of an unknown path, all my senses are heightened. There is a tinge of anxiety that arises. Where is the path going? …

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill Tuesday, May 19 Authentic intimacy is a learned behavior for many people, myself included. When I think of the word intimacy many ideas come up, but what is the feeling? What does genuine intimacy feel like? For me, it’s safety. What is it for you? When I can be in the presence of another person and be my authentic self, with all my scars, honesty, and vulnerability and not feel judged nor threatened…

Monday, May 18 Last week a woman shared with me how difficult her life was during this time.  She is a college professor who has been teaching her classes online from her bedroom.  She has children in elementary school who are home full time.  Her husband was in the hospital, where she was unable to visit him.  She hasn’t been able to sleep.  As we zoomed our conversation, she pointed to the laundry baskets piled up behind her, asking “When…

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill, and the banner image is his original painting. Friday, May 14 As I look back on my life I am always amazed at how I have learned to love myself. I had to learn that I was worthy of love. Accepting, believing, and behaving like I was loveable was not a natural event but a slow process of deep spiritual growth. Often times we hear stories from others about who we are. Our…

Thursday, May 14 This morning I thought about my life, and I realized… I am still alive!  I do not have the Covid-19 virus.  I am well.  The daily routines I busied myself with two months ago are gone; new ones have taken their place.  The new activities are things I wanted to do before, but I didn’t have time. Now I have time, lots of time!  So, now I sew. I read.  I cook interesting meals, on weekdays and…

Tuesday, May 12 I have a friend who has a large journal on her coffee table entitled The Book of Awesome.  Whenever something awesome happens, she writes an entry in the book to record it.  What’s awesome?  Anything where you feel like you’ve made a connection with a force bigger than yourself, a coincidence of divine proportions.   It’s a moment of realizing you are not alone, that things will work out, that all is well. Carl Jung believed that life…

Monday, May 11             Often times when I sit down to pray in the morning, I find it difficult to quiet my thoughts.  My desire is to empty my mind and listen to the morning, be aware of my breathing, and ready myself to hear God’s message.  Instead my mind is preoccupied with my daily life, going over and over a mundane task on my agenda or worrying about a potential conversation that is destined to go no farther than…