Dr. Howell’s Reflections
Everyday, Dr. Howell writes a reflection, inquiry prompt, and a prayer.
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The Good Life Part 7
November 21, 2024
Ultimately, we are in charge of our lives and make them whatever we choose. Of course, we are all affected by whichever government controls our nation, to weather and climate conditions, and illnesses. Yes, we make choices, and sometimes the things that happen to us, good and not so good, have nothing to do with our choices. But regardless of the overarching reality of life, we choose our responses to it.
The Good Life Part 6
November 20, 2024
In the spiritual life, we live The Good Life when connected to our divine spirit. This week our Daily Reflections on The Good Life include the Nine Fruits of the Spirit named by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians. These nine soul qualities are of supreme value. Today, we reflect on the last three Fruits of the Spirit.
The Good Life Part 5
November 19, 2024
It’s easy to be tricked by our culture’s fascination with the good life. Look at advertisements that feature young and beautiful models. They stand against the backdrop of elegant estates in front of fabulous automobiles, clad in haute couture with elegant jewelry. Such advertisements suggest that this is their life, and we can have it too. It elevates riches and privilege to a supreme value in our culture. It’s as if the people in the commercials have it all — youth, beauty, riches, and everything those things supposedly bring us. But if we were to go to the photo shoot when the ad is being filmed, we would likely find a rented Maserati, a castle booked for the day, and “borrowed” clothes and jewels. The model would be a struggling youth with a modest bank account and a family who, like all families, is dysfunctional. Even the truly rich and truly royal are humans with the same issues as everyone else. Nevertheless, the advertisements continue because they work — they appeal to the undying desire to attain bliss which our ego translates as being attainable through the material. However, these things cannot bring the authentic joy for which we yearn.
The Good Life Part 4
November 18, 2024
What are the qualities of spirit that make a good life? The Apostle Paul gave a wonderful list of such qualities in his letter to Galatians Chapter 5, verses 22-23. Paul’s nine fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Good Life Part 3
November 17, 2024
A popular notion in America is that the Good Life is relatively free from struggle or pain. For some reason or reasons, the person has created a life in which they have all the good things they want and need. The good life also connotes a standard of living that affords protection from harm, access to good medical care, and mobility. There is also a hidden connotation: the person who lives the good life is somehow insulated from the pain and worries of those who do not live the good life. But that is an unrealistic definition. As we reflected upon earlier in the week, no one escapes the realities of pain, hardships, and suffering.
The Good Life Part 2
November 16, 2024
Good friends and good family represent the good life. Pleasant surroundings and the infinite gifts of nature also make our lives good. Then there is good food, music, and celebration that bring even more goodness to life. Most of these are available to each of us. But there are people who live in starvation and in terror. The good life is far away from these precious souls.
The Good Life Part 1
November 15, 2024
What is the meaning of the phrase "The Good Life"? When we trace its roots, we find that the nearest thing to "The Good Life" was first referred to as "a" good life. The Greek philosopher Socrates held that to live a good, meaningful, and virtuous life is the purpose of life. For him, a good life is aligned with virtue. Socrates said, "Virtue is knowledge," and he held that a good life is not only virtue but is lived by reason and moral principles.
Psychology and Spirituality Part 7
November 14, 2024
Over the centuries, humankind slowly separated psychology and spirituality. Prehistoric tribes closely identified with nature, and their shamans were the true leaders. They were spiritual discerners, soothsayers, counselors, and doctors. In early cultures, reality was never interpreted through any other lens than the spirit. But as cultures developed, the shamans and high priests were still the ostensible leaders. Even kings and queens relied on the spiritual realm and governed by the sanction of “divine right.”
Psychology and Spirituality Part 6
November 13, 2024
Everyone seems to have a favorite actor or two. We enjoy them in whatever roles they might play. Most play a wide range of characters. For example, Jack Nicholson may play the love interest in one movie and the next, the villain: "Here's Johnny." Julia Roberts may play the love interest or a determined hero like Erin Brockovich. Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep also play a wide range of characters. Many of us feel we know our favorite actors as people, even if we have never seen them outside their roles. We are drawn to them, but what makes them our favorites?
Psychology and Spirituality Part 5
November 12, 2024
Sometimes, we exclaim, “If only I had known what was coming!” But if we did know what is around the corner, we might give up on life. We’d likely be overwhelmed with our coming illnesses, losses, pain, and traumas. Though we would be delighted to know our happy events, we could not imagine overcoming our adversities. However, we do not see what’s next, so it is our decisions that radically affect our lives. According to our awareness of reality, the results of our choices teach us about ourselves, others, and the universe. Then, our consciousness increases.
Psychology and Spirituality Part 4
November 11, 2024
Spiritual Consciousness profoundly determines the way we think and behave. Our soul sets the tone for our lives. As our deepest self, it knows our purpose and tries to accomplish it. The soul’s still small voice guides us if we listen to it, taking us to the relationships and circumstances that help achieve our purpose. Sometimes, those relationships and circumstances are not pleasant, but they are exactly what we need in order to grow our souls. Barriers to the soul’s expression include the ego’s passion, avoidances, traps, fixations, and an impervious allegiance to its perception of reality. Wars have been fought, and millions have died to defend their perceptions of reality, which may not have been accurate.
Psychology and Spirituality Part 3
November 10, 2024
To enter the academic discipline of Psychology, one does not need to study spirituality or adhere to any spiritual path. I know excellent psychologists and other mental health professionals who are agnostic as well as atheistic and who do not require spirituality to conduct research, teach, or treat patients. The textbooks for psychology are not based on spiritual discernment or spiritual principles but on applications of the scientific method in studying the mind, emotions, and behavior.
Psychology and Spirituality Part 2
November 9, 2024
Suppose we are spiritual beings in a physical body and attribute our existence to a Creator. In that case, our mental functions and emotions are rooted in our primary being, our souls. However, if we are among those who do not perceive a “first intentional cause,” and, therefore, a Divine Spirit behind that intention, we must study the mind, behavior, and emotions strictly from the scientific approach of psychology.
Psychology and Spirituality Part 1
November 8, 2024
As a student in a theology school, I was an oddball because I interpreted the spiritual through the lens of psychology instead of religion. Later in my graduate psychology program, I was also odd because I interpreted psychological phenomena through the lens of spirituality. For some reason, I never saw the split between psychology and spirituality, but many people seemed to see them as entirely different bodies of knowledge. I recall many conversations with people who grappled with the relationship between psychology and spirituality. It seemed they had to choose one over the other. A typical question was, “Do we attribute the miracles in the Bible to the spiritual realm, or to the psychological processes of those who supposedly witnessed these events?” Another question is, “Do we live from our minds or our spirit?”