Dr. Howell’s Reflections
Everyday, Dr. Howell writes a reflection, inquiry prompt, and a prayer.
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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?”
Rejuvenation Part 7
Nov. 7, 2024
To rejuvenate, we go through similar processes. First, we take stock of the areas that require restoration. Through self-inquiry, we become conscious of the damaged areas. We ask, “What trauma has damaged me, and what level of pain did it leave behind?” We take note of our answers. Then we ask ourselves, “What capacities in my life have faded? We listen and take the answers to heart. Then we inquire, “What areas of my life need life support?” We look deeply into our energy reserves and sense the areas in jeopardy.
Rejuvenation Part 6
Nov. 6, 2024
Possibly one of the most rejuvenating experiences is affirmation. You know what I mean? Just pat the head of a down-and-out dog and tell them they are a good boy or good girl, and then watch their tail wag. I had the pleasure of meeting a shy and somewhat reclusive dog recently. When I patted his head and asked him to sit and shake hands, he gave me a dog smile and became my buddy.
Rejuvenation Part 5
Nov. 5, 2024
At times, we experience a vague heaviness, an unsettled feeling. Sometimes, it's like mind fog or an almost imperceptible preoccupation. It may be a nagging thought; it may feel like a dark cloud hanging over us… We know we are not ourselves, but we can't put our fingers on the reasons for it.
Rejuvenation Part 4
Nov. 4, 2024
I do not know anyone who has not had tough times. And I have yet to experience anyone in the spiritual life who’s free from bewilderment, doubts, and tests of faith. It’s easy to ride high when things are going well. That’s when some people say, “God is so good.” We are on a mountaintop; we see everything clearly now and can’t even imagine being in a mess ever again. Yet when things deteriorate or adversity takes center stage, we are not so sure that things will ever return to the mountaintop we once enjoyed—doubts surface.
Rejuvenation Part 3
Nov. 3, 2024
Depletion is a fact of life. We must eat to restore our lost energy; we must water our plants, or they will die. We must fill our car with fuel or recharge it. The Creator sets things up so that energy is continuously being restored. Rain comes down; the sun shines, all life dies and is recycled into the earth to give more life. And then there is you and me. What do we do to restore our bodies, minds, and hearts? What happens when we do not?
Rejuvenation Part 2
Nov. 2, 2024
One of the quickest ways I know to rejuvenate is to go somewhere away from our usual demands and stressors. It may be true "There's no place like home,” but that's true about home's negative aspects too. There is no place like home.
Rejuvenation Part 1
Nov. 1, 2024
The word rejuvenation is rooted in the Latin "juvenis" which means young. Rejuvenation conveys the thought of making something or someone young again. We equate youth with strength, liveliness, and beauty, which are invaluable in moving us through the world. As we age, however, navigating the world can be physically challenging. As we lose the benefits of strength, aliveness, and beauty, we naturally want to recapture them. So, we search for ways to restore them. In what ways have you tried to recapture and maintain your younger self? Have these worked?
Your Life Story Part 7
Oct. 31, 2024
We do not know what the day will bring — we only know it will come. Yes, this day will be added to the story of our lives. What will the next 24 hours add to your story? What of life's infinite experiences will make up this day?