Tag Archives: Anthony de Mello

The Joy You Are

Conspicuous by its absence, I wondered if my fear of disaster had left for good but no that part of me revealed herself in an argument.  Arguments are good for that.  I had thought, since I survived my worst-case scenario, her angst would ease off.  Yes, she says. … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gift of Awareness

On a beautiful daywhen nothing was going wronganxiety showed up,just in case I needed it, I suppose. I scanned my life to see what I was concerned about.Nothing.Then disappointment showed up–disappointment that I couldn’t enjoy the daywithout this annoying “friend” … Continue reading

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Is Found Here

For love and freedom are only found when one enjoys each note as it arises,then allows it to go, so as to be fully receptive in the notes that follow.–Anthony de Mello, Stop Fixing Yourself, 130. Each note–this lovely one,that … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Arrows

“Have you had lunch yet?” I asked Fred, hoping he hadn’t eaten the leftover spaghetti. “Yes. I ate the spaghetti,” he said. “It was good.” Argh! Now I’d need to figure out something else to make for dinner. One more … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sannyasi’s Gift

After my playful summer, I had literally hundreds of unread emails to clear. One thing led to another, and I ended up on Groupon. In my history, I found an expired coupon a couple of years old worth three hundred … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Stop Teaching a Pig to Sing

“Don’t teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and irritates the pig.” I read that quote in Anthony de Mello’s little book Rediscovering Life: Awaken to Reality right after I wrote last week’s blog post. Tony’s words woke … Continue reading

Posted in Humour, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Perfectly Me

Finally, I’m coming to the conclusion that my highest ambition is to be what I already am, that I will never fulfill my obligation to surpass myself unless I first accept myself. . . . The unaccepted self that stands … Continue reading

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Brought You Here?

“What brought you here?” you may ask. How was I able to finally lose weight and take better care of my body? Now that’s a long story, and you’d need to read my books and blog posts to follow my … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, Lent, Mindfulness, Overeating, Reflections, Resource, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Impermanence of Things

Fred and I are on vacation in the Okanagan. After we visited my parents in Vernon, we found a campsite north of Oliver. My first bike ride was on the spectacular Okanagan Rail Trail which is flanked by steep rock … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fred Saves the Day

“I have my passport,” Fred said on Sunday night, “but I can’t find yours.” We were going to Bellingham, Washington the next day to pick up my books and have lunch with friends. We needed our passports to cross the … Continue reading

Posted in compassion, False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment