WRITTEN BY DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL, MARCH 2024

For years, my mother made “Choose joy” a daily mantra. A farewell as I left for school or embarked on a journey of large or small scale.  It was a familiar refrain… something she uttered countless times over the years, and she was, and is, consistent. This daily reminder growing up kept a flame going in me that was hard to burn out and easy to relight. Even today, I often hear her telling my children, “Choose joy,” and watch her fan their flames in them, too. So why joy? Why not love, or happiness, or success? Why not tell us to crush it or dominate or go get’em! Why has joy been significant and worthy of daily attention and affirmation for forty-plus years, according to my mother? I believe the answer is multi-dimensional and has different layers for different people, but overall, I give credit to the Spirit, consciously, subconsciously, and unconsciously in both of us.

WRITTEN BY DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON OCTOBER 22, 2022.

While reading Joseph Campbell’s, A Hero with a Thousand Faces, I experienced an epiphany. It felt as if I had read this book many times before. Though it was my first time through it, the familiarity was extraordinary. Why did it feel so intimate? Was this a spiritual reaction? A coincidence? Déjà vu? Should I be looking for white rabbits while reading this eye-opening chronicle? Or perhaps there’s a common theme in this storyboard succession that parallels thousands of classic movies and books I love. The latter befitted the verdict after concluding the reading.

Written by Dr. Michael Beau O’Neill, presented to his wife, Dr. Nicole O’Neill, upon his doctoral graduation.

May 2, 2024

My Dearest Love,

In quiet moments of reflection, I find myself grappling with the depth of the turmoil I've introduced into our lives and the darkness that has tormented my soul. It is a convoluted problem, one that seems to feed upon itself, requiring a delicate balance of self-discipline and faith to navigate. This journey, though fraught with challenges, is one we are destined to walk together, united rather than divided. For the strains we've encountered, the nuances of life, and the irritants born from stress and emotional immaturity, I offer my sincerest apologies.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL, APRIL 16, 2024

Today we will explore the transformative journey that follows a profound spiritual awakening. This concept isn't new - it’s deeply rooted in tradition and history. Consider the biblical account of Jesus, who spent 40 days in the wilderness preparing Himself in solitude and prayer before beginning His public ministry. This period of testing and preparation is crucial, not only in ancient times but in our spiritual journeys today.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON APRIL, 14, 2024

The concept of "hupomone," an ancient Greek term often translated as "endurance" or "perseverance," beautifully captures the essence of the Christian life, which, when closely examined, mirrors the structure of Joseph Campbell’s, A Hero With A Thousand Faces. This journey isn’t just about spiritual endurance; it also parallels the disciplined path toward a healthy lifestyle, a clean temple, building physical strength, and a holistic approach to lifestyle optimization. Here, we will explore how living a life of faith, maintaining fitness, and embracing the teachings of Christ constitute a profound heroic journey.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Introduction

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson thoroughly investigates the human experience in his book, Maps of Meaning. Peterson provides the reader with insights from philosophy, mythology, and religion; and positions his psychological perspective around understanding the importance of meaning. He opens with “Something we cannot see protects us from something we do not understand. The thing we cannot see is culture,” and, “The thing we do not understand is the chaos that gave rise to culture.” He stretched my thinking in his opening page by summarizing the structure of culture and how disruption leads to the “return of chaos” and our natural defense against it. This immediately brought to mind Genesis, and my excitement to listen to his lecture on The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories: Genesis.”

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON NOVEMBER 18, 2023

Introduction: My Personal Opinion

Daniel Liberman’s book, Spellbound, was a difficult read for me. I tackled a few chapters a day for the past week and with all due respect, I felt like some of the text was indirectly dark. The more I read about unlocking the potential of our minds with references to magic, mystery, and even tarot cards, the greater my bias grew. I feel uncomfortable criticizing any of our assignments but in full transparency, I was turned off by the opening line. After reading a few chapters I open-mindedly considered my own conscious and unconscious bias and stand by my initial “intuition.”

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON MARCH 31, 2024

God is so good.

Praise be to God, whose goodness knows no bounds! This Easter I’m reminded of this awesome privilege we possess in knowing God, communing with Him, and “doing life” with Him. I mean… what an honor? The creator of the entire universe is alive and active in our lives and provides everything we need, to fulfill our primary task which is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. |1] Did God ever promise it would be easy? I don’t think so. But he said it would be worth it.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON MARCH 14, 2024

Introduction

This week I enjoyed frequent reading interval sessions using both audio and eBook formats of Nigel Biggar’s, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning. Biggar’s treatment of history is both humble and enlightening, presenting a balanced perspective on the complex issues of empires, colonialism, and morality that feels both honest and reflective. By acknowledging his faith upfront, Biggar frames his discourse within a broader humanitarian context, exploring the dichotomy of good and evil in a manner that illuminates and challenges many scholars and readers alike. Niall Ferguson, author, and Fellow says this about Biggar’s work, “Nigel Biggar fearlessly goes where few other scholars now venture to tread: to defend the British Empire against its increasingly vitriolic detractors. He does not ignore the many blemishes on the face of British rule, but he demonstrates that there were profound differences between Britain’s empire and the totalitarian empires of Stalin and Hitler.”[1]

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON DECEMBER 9, 2023

Introduction

In Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s (NNT) groundbreaking work, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, the author challenges traditional perspectives on resilience and introduces the concept of antifragility. Rooted in both financial expertise and philosophical insight, Taleb urges readers to view “volatility, randomness, and disorder,” not as threats but as opportunities for growth.[1] He opens his prologue with “Wind extinguishes a candle and energizes a fire.” This paradoxical theme is present throughout the book as he encourages his readers to embrace the randomness and not hide from the stressors. He says, “Be the fire and wish for the wind.”[2] In the following blog, I will delve into a few of the transformative concepts outlined in this paradigm-shifting book as it relates to my current leadership style and understanding.

WRITTEN BY: DR. MICHAEL BEAU O’NEILL ON DECEMBER 3, 2023

Introduction

In the institutional realm of church congregations and ministries, where the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and community joy reigns, an ominous force lurks in the shadows, threatening to undermine the very foundations of faith. This power is darkness, Night, death, and lies, and it targets its prey with careful execution over long periods when necessary. The darkness will extinguish the flame in some of the best and most influential people in the world using scandalous means that are uncomfortably common. My main point in this blog is that darkness is old and crafty, and positions of power are targets, so we as leaders need to take the advice of JR Woodward and be keenly aware of the past, strive for righteousness, and imitate the proper source. Unfortunately, man has repeatedly ignored important history lessons and continues to succumb to scandalous behavior.