Beyond the Post-it Notes

In this episode, Beyond the Post-it Notes: Finding the Anam Cara . . .

Last week, when I arrived at Dr. Don’s home to help him with computer issues and our biweekly lunch, I found myself reflecting on the wide range of topics we always discuss. We connect as if we’ve been friends for years, even though he’s 92 and I’m 68. It’s funny—during our conversations, age seems to disappear.

As we reviewed his list of computer questions on his Post-it notes, he surprised me by handing me a book. "Here, I want you to have this book," he said, his expression resembling that of someone offering something precious or secret.

Later that day, I found myself engrossed in its pages. The book is "Anam Cara" by John O'Donohue. For weeks, I had noticed it on his desk and felt curious, yet I had no idea what I would discover inside.

Right from the very first chapter, "The Mystery of Friendship," this book beautifully captures a feeling I experienced in that moment with Dr. Don—a profound connection that seems to transcend both logic and time. O'Donohue introduces the lovely old Gaelic term "Anam Cara," which means "soul friend."

O'Donohue discusses a type of friendship that transcends everyday pleasantries and shared activities. It is a bond where you can truly be seen, allowing the masks we often wear in the world to fall away. It involves recognizing the light and the landscape of another person's soul and permitting them to reveal theirs.

Reading this, I thought, “This clearly describes many of my closest friends.” There’s a comfort, openness, and willingness to share thoughts and feelings that feels ancient and easy. This mystery O'Donohue describes—how two souls can recognize each other and connect on a level that transcends the usual boundaries.

The book suggests that finding an anam cara is like finding a spiritual companion who awakens your life and helps you see the "wild possibilities" within yourself.

It got me thinking: “Do we truly appreciate the depth of our connections?” Are we brave enough to let ourselves be seen, and to truly see others? What magical ingredient makes one connection feel so much more profound than others?

Anam Cara delves so much deeper into these ideas, exploring how this soul-level connection impacts friendship and how we relate to ourselves, love, and the world around us. Just thinking about it reminds me of the incredible, sometimes unexpected, gifts life (and generous friends!) can offer.

This idea of a soul friend, an anam cara, feels like a gentle invitation to examine our relationships with new eyes and cherish those rare and beautiful bonds where our souls feel at home.

If this sparks something in you, Anam Cara may be a book calling to you, too!

I'm Patrick Ball. Stay curious and ask questions. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Anonymous said…

That's Patrick.. Dr Don is truly a gift to humanity.. I am so glad you two have forged this deep bond

April 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM

Don Hanley said…

A wonderful and invitational book 'report', Patrick. And I very much appreciate the sentiments and connection.

April 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM

Believing Is Seeing

🎄 In this episode, Believing Is Seeing . . . It's December, we bustle, we wrap, and we dash. We sort life into boxes— myths here, to-dos in a stash. We whisper of Santa (adult code: “Not Real”), but hold on one minute—let’s rethink this whole deal. For the stories we cherish, the movies we stream, hold more truth in their sparkle than we grown-ups may deem. So hop in this sleigh and hold on real tight— We’re chasing down Santa by the glow of his light! Scott Calvin once landed in the North Pole’s cold air, with elves, cocoa, and snow everywhere. He squinted and frowned—“This just cannot be so!” (Like thinking tangled lights will detangle if we blow .) Then Judy the Elf gave a cocoa so steaming, and said something simple . . . yet surprisingly gleaming: Seeing’s not believing—no, that’s not the key. "Believing is seeing!" Just trust, and you’ll see!” Kids don’t need a map or a satellite screen to know Santa’s workshop is her...

Stamps and Snow

In this episode, Stamps and Snow . . . You don’t usually walk into the local Post Office expecting a time warp . . . but here we are. All we wanted were stamps for this year's Christmas cards— yes, the old-fashioned paper ones that require licking, sticking, and hoping the Postal Service is feeling ambitious this week. But holiday errands have a talent for slowing you down, almost like the universe whispering, “Relax. You’re not getting out of this line any faster anyway.” So we waited. And while we waited, we talked (Are you surprised?). Because the Post Office is one of the few places where people still look up from their phones long enough to talk . . . Maybe it's because they're holding packages. It’s the modern town square: part civic duty, part free entertainment, part sociology experiment. The discussion began with holiday specials streaming on Netflix, Paramount+, and other services during this time of year. One gentleman who has lived in Vista since 1958 told us,...

Night Before Christmas

I n this episode, Night Before Christmas . . . (In the spirit of Edgar Albert Guest) I’ve wrestled with the tangled lights the way I always do— With just enough patience left to see the project through. I climb the ladder carefully; the years have taught me how. To take my time with every step and keep a steady brow. We hang the faded ornaments I’ve known since I was small, the chipped, the cracked, the tilted ones—I love them best of all. Santa’s lost a bit of paint, the stars’ leaning right, but oh, it casts a holy glow across the room tonight. The kitchen hums with activity, with laughter, and with cheer, as voices drift like echoes from a long-forgotten year. The floor is strewn with paper scraps, the clock is ticking slow, As Christmas finds its own sweet pace and sets our house aglow. The hallway grows a little still; the lights are dimmed, and low, Small shoes are lined in messy pairs to wait for morning’s snow. The fire's warm, the room is full, the world is deep and wide,...

Un-Work the Old-Fashioned Way

🎩 In this special episode. How to Un-Work the Old-Fashioned Way It’s 2026! Yes— this is the year! A different kind of start—you feel it right here? No lists! No demands! No fix-all-your-flaws! No “New You by Tuesday!” No rules! No laws! Those resolutions? Bah! Dusty and dry! We’ve tried fixing everything —so let’s ask why. Why rush and correct and improve and compare, When noticing quietly gets you right there ? So here’s a new project—no charts, no clocks, No boxes to check in your mental inbox. It’s bigger than busy and smaller than grand, It’s called Un-Working —now give me your hand! Un-Working’s not quitting or hiding away, It’s setting things down that shout “Hurry! Hey!” The hustle! The bustle! The faster-than-fast! The gotta-win-now or you’re stuck in the past! That’s the work of Un-Working— plop! —set it free! The titles! The labels! The “Look-At-Me!” The crown that kept sliding and pinching your head— You never looked comfy . . . let’s try this instead: Pick up a tel...

On The Fly

Search This Blog