Reflections (Page 11)

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…

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill Friday, May 8 Drive and ambition to succeed in life are wonderful qualities. Drive and ambition that is fueled only by my personal agenda and ego is not sustainable nor spiritually healthy. Time and patience have been great teachers for me as I worked to build a successful life as a professional artist. I take risks and make bold choices to advance my career, some of which have been fruitful and others have…

Thursday, May 7 There is a story about an old farmer who was persuaded by his nephew to come and visit him in the Big Apple.  So, the farmer got on a plane and went to New York City, and the nephew met him and immediately took him down to Times Square to show off the city to him. They were walking down the street, and the old farmer suddenly stopped and said, “Did you hear that?”   The young man looked at all the…

Today’s reflection is written by Brian O’Neill As I spend more time with this last paragraph I am able to connect through my heart and less through my rational and judgmental mind. I listen, I love, I give. That is as far as I got and I felt the need to pause and ask myself, do I actively listen when another is speaking to me or am I am rehearsing what I am going to say when they stop talking?…View post to subscribe to site newsletter.

Tuesday, May 5 In 2014, I traveled to India to be with my sister and daughter at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulum ashram in Anaikutti, Tamil Nadu, India. My family’s friend and mentor, Swami Dayananda, was the founder and teacher there.  Every morning at 4 AM, the bells chimed to call us to prayer.  I rose to find my way to the Hindu temple where I sat outside.  As the chanting of prayers rose in rhythmic and musical tones, I sat…