A trip down memory lane on Hallows-Eve 👻

By Thomas F O'Neill

I always enjoyed celebrating Halloween, even when I lived in China. But I did miss the pint-sized spooks visiting me on this particular occasion because the President of China, Xi Jinping, outlawed this ancient tradition commonly celebrated worldwide.

I always bought various bags of candies for trick-or-treaters, and I would put up a glow-in-the-dark skeleton on my front door. It was not a real skeleton like the one in the Bio-lab at the school where I taught. It was just a store-bought one, but scary nonetheless. I think that attracted all the pint-sized visitors on howling nights.

The kids didn’t say ‘trick or treat’ like American kids. They would say - ‘Gěi táng jiù dǎodà’, which means 给糖就捣蛋 if you didn't know that already.

One little witch yelled,“Hello Mr. Tom!!!” when I opened my door. She was holding a large chopstick for her magic wand. I opened the little witch’s bag to see what goodies she possessed. I then proceeded to take a few of her candy bars and a bag of M and M’s.

“Hey,” she said in a little perturbed voice, “Mr. Tom, you are supposed to give me Candy.”

“Oh,” I replied, “Is that how it works, so do you know any tricks?”

She then started singing, “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands …..”

“Oh, stop,” I said, “you are scaring me.”

I handed her a couple of candy bars, and she yelled, “thank you.”

“Good, now go away,” I replied.

“What are you doing?” she asked me while staring at my laptop computer on my desk, “Oh, homework, I hate homework,” she said as she turned and headed out my door.

Others also came on that hallows-eve, reminding me of the fun I had as a child going door to door. It was followed by mischief night. The only real mischief here was the fireworks kids set off in front of my apartment building and sticking a half-eaten apple in my glow-in-the-dark skeleton’s mouth.

Boy, I could teach those little buggers about the mischief I did as a child.

I'm afraid I had to disagree with Xi Jinping's ban on the ancient tradition of Halloween in China because I no longer had a way of getting free candy.

Don't let the ghouls, zombies, and ghosts get to you on this frightful occasion !!!!

But for all you young spooks out there, I would like to wish you a fun and Happy Halloween 👻 🎃

Always with love

 

Thomas F O'Neill

 

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

 

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Phone: (410) 925-9334

 

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

Thank you all so much for the Birthday wishes 💓

Thank you all so much for the Birthday wishes; they were so heartwarming to read. Each Birthday reminds me that you cannot stop the passage of time, but with each second, minute, and day, I am learning how to live.

The people who entered my life throughout the years were for a reason. I discovered when I open myself up to invite others in, my life is impacted in profoundly positive ways; I’m never truly alone in the world because the power of love encompasses all things ...... 🦅  

Once again, thank you all very much for reaching out to me and wishing me a Happy Birthday  ...... 🥳 🥳

Always with Love,

 

Thomas F O'Neill

 

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

 

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Phone: (410) 925-9334

 

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/

Goodbye September and Hello October 💓

Wow, October is now here, and in our Northern Hemisphere, the days are flush with falling leaves, cooling weather, and growing anticipation for the holiday season. October's tenth month by our Gregorian calendar shares a root with octopus and octagon—the Latin octo and Greek okto, meaning “eight.” It is an indication of October's position in the early Roman calendar. 

October is a month where the saying” What goes around comes around” rings true, with karmic spiritual energy of correcting wrongs and doing right. October augers in the true spirit of the Tiger, so find the light within you, find the spirit to take on all adversaries and illnesses, and consciously wish yourself a better, healthier, happier life.

October is the perfect month for manifesting your wants and desires. You will reap rewards if you actively pursue your dreams and enjoy the journey with all its obstacles. The three laws of spiritual manifestation are good Intentions, do no harm, and unbiased passion. 

Your Karma this month is but a reflection of your spiritual morals. If you dislike something within you, don’t disown it, for the disowned causes chaos. Embrace it, cleanse it, purify it, and turn its previous energies of negativity into positivity. 

We can also take this time to put Summer in our rearview mirror because the fall season is again upon us. For many people, the months of autumn symbolize change. Like the falling leaves from the trees, life must take a new course by shedding off the old to usher in the new. This part of the season’s cycle stretches to winter, which spiritual gurus say provides time for people to absorb and accept the ongoing change in one’s inner self. Like the cycles of death and rebirth, leaves will eventually grow back into branches, and flowers will once again set to bloom. 

Soon, autumn colors will fade and be replaced by the bleak tone of chilly winter. Be that as it may, the world is always ready to welcome the changes and cycles of the season because these are the principles on which life basically rests.

Always with love

 

Thomas F O'Neill

 

Email: introspective7@hotmail.com

 

WeChat - Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Phone: (410) 925-9334

 

Skype: thomas_f_oneill

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Thomas_F_ONeill

 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-f-o-neill-6226b018/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_f_oneill/

 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thomasf.oneill.3/