Dr. Howell’s Reflections
Everyday, Dr. Howell writes a reflection, inquiry prompt, and a prayer.
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The Other
February 22, 2024
Do you recall a time when you were othered? It could have been in your school years, on the job, or in your neighborhood, but you knew you were excluded, shunned, or ignored. When othered, we feel defective, different, or inferior. Many of us can recall the painful times when we were othered, and the pain comes right back as if it were happening now.
The Other
February 21, 2024
Most of my Christian behaviors and attitudes, such as being polite, honest, kind, and trying to love my neighbors, were accepted values of the culture into which I was born. Therefore, many of these attitudes and behaviors were not intentionally “Christlike” but were enculturated. However, I saw these attitudes differently after beginning my journey into wholeness and consciousness.
The Other
February 19, 2024
When we "other" someone, we are not necessarily looking down on them. Sometimes, when we other someone, it is to set them apart and above us. There is a well-known phrase used a lot in the dating world: "They are out of my league." This phrase asserts that "the other" is better than they are and that they would never be considered their equal.
Fun
February 14, 2024
One of the opposites of fun is grief. In soul work, there are two major categories of grieving. One is ego grieving, and the other is soul grieving. The unconscious ego grieves over our losses from an egocentric stance. The soul, however, grieves losses under the umbrella of spiritual surrender, a function of soul-centricity. The core qualities of these two griefs are very different.
Fun
February 13, 2024
My father was an outstanding provider for our family and was a perfect embodiment of the Protestant Ethic. He worked hard all day and didn't tolerate me and my brother sitting idly watching television. He always said to us, "Television is the greatest vice perpetrated on the American public!" He finally gave up his struggle to keep the TV off. For Dad, having fun was a waste of time, and he thought it replaced work all too often.
Fun
February 11, 2024
Many of us try to imitate the bliss of our soul child by detaching from reality altogether. Preoccupations with food, substance use, sexual gratification, financial security, power, and being at the top of the social hierarchy are a few adult attempts to reconstitute the soul child's bliss.
Fun
February 10, 2024
What is your favorite kind of fun? If you are unsure, just drop it into your heart and recall what your favorite fun feels like. Now, let those sensations fill your being. What auditory, physical, or visual memories are flooding into your heart now? Why do you suppose it's fun to re-experience fun right this minute?
Judging Books by Their Covers
February 8, 2024
People talk a good game and make all kinds of promises. Also, we see many photos that portray things in a particular manner. However, we can be disappointed and hurt if the reality is not as pictured or described.
Judging Books by Their Covers
February 7, 2024
If we do not want to live as only the cover of the book about us, we must discover the soul who lives in our depths. Then we re-embody this soul and all its divine qualities.
Judging Books by Their Covers
February 6, 2024
Just as we may judge a book by its cover, we can do the same to ourselves. We can use only our surface characteristics to evaluate ourselves.
Judging Books by Their Covers
February 5, 2024
Recently, I was the target of a scam. Even though scammers are criminals who have been around for thousands of years, they continue to manipulate by using our blind spots against us.