May 13, 2023

LONELINESS

 

I’m telling a joke,

someone walks in and my audience

walks away – looks  away. They

start talking with the others – not me. So

I’m dropped. It’s seems to be  happening

more and more lately. Feeling: I guess

I’ve become rather boring.

Two people are whispering – hands

covering their mouth. I feel I don’t count.

Do I?  Aging seems to be a death sentence

and I am not ready for that right now.

I feel like I’ve become a me to me situation –

a me to me – me plus me situation. I feel sorry –

sorry for being me right now.

 

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello

 May 13, 2023

Quote for Today

"I never felt so lonely as in that particular hour when I was surrounded by people but suddenly realized my ultimate isolation. I became silent and retired from the group in order to be alone with my loneliness. I wanted my external predicament to match my internal one.

"Loneliness can be conquered only by those who can bear solitude. We have a natural desire for solitude because we are men. We want to feel what we are - namely, alone - not in pain and horror, but with joy and courage.  There are many ways in which solitude can be sought and experienced. And each way can be called 'religious,' if it is true, as one philosopher said, that 'religion is what a man does with his solitariness.'"

Paul Tillich in  Eternal Now

 May 12, 2023

EPIPHANIES

 

We have them from time to time –

"a ha" moments – sudden surprises -

oh yeah – yes – that’s what happened.

The sun rises – comes up out of East -

pushing aside the clouds of darkness –

revealing Christ – Bethlehem – in

my backyard – or Calvary – if we’ve

been hurt – humiliated – or condemned  -

all for others – others – another.

© Reflections, Andy Costello

May 12, 2023

Quote for Today

"Divine worship is as natural for men almost as neighing is for horses or barking for dogs."

Marsilio Picino,

Platonic Theology

 

 May 11, 2023

SURPRISES

 

How many surprises do we have each day?

Do some people have more than others?

Does it depend on your inlook or outlook?

Is it whether you’re a walking grudge or gratitude?

What is your face like: smile or smirk?

Like miracles, there are a million surprises each day.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello

 May 11, 2023

Quote for Today

"The miracle is not to walk on water.

The miracle is to walk on the green earth,

dwelling deeply in the present moment

and feeling truly alive.

Thich Nhat Hanh

 May 10, 2023

THE  FLUTE

 

Breath and flow of a singular melody –

totally forgetting my surroundings –

totally knowing this is the world around me -

as well as insects, cicadas, buses and children.

Grateful – for being alive – one with the little

old lady – heading for the store – shopping –

and the 36 year old heading for work – or the

school crossing lady – there for the  protection –

of little 3nd graders - getting them across the street.

 

© Reflections, Andy Costello