Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (4/06)

"Love Offerings to the Universe" is a collection of autobiographical essays written by Sally O'Brien. Each chapter carries a personal story with a special message to the reader. O'Brien writes about day-to-day experiences that have spiritual elements in them. These spiritual elements bring the reader hope that there is more out there than just a mundane world. O'Brien focuses on the positive aspects of events that have happened in her life. She sees that there is a higher source guiding her and uses this knowledge to grow from her experiences. She does not allow her self to become stuck when things are happening that do not seem positive.

O'Brien also draws upon her experiences as a Reiki Master. Having been attuned to this level myself, I enjoyed hearing about her experiences. Much of what I read brought back special memories about my own personal experiences during Reiki sessions.
She also writes a lot about living on the big island of Hawaii. She has had some wonderful spiritual experiences in Hawaii. I enjoyed learning that she used to volunteer for Dolphin Quest on the big island. Having been to this place myself, it was heart warming to know that these dolphins are truly loved and cared for by special people.

I feel "Love Offerings to the Universe" is written for anyone that enjoys reading about other people's experiences and can learn from them. After I finished reading O'Brien's stories, I felt inspired to start journaling events that are happening in my life. I am grateful to her for writing her memoirs because they had a very positive impact on my life and really touched my soul.

Love Offerings to the Universe could easily be renamed as Opportunity Often Appears in the Guise of Problems.

Ms. O'Brien has primarily drawn on her own life to write autobiographical sketches that describe her spiritual path.

In Reiki: The Greatest Gift of All, Ms. O'Brien recounts how she became a Reiki master during her eight years on the Big Island of Hawaii and the three health challenges that inspired her to study this Japanese form of healing. The essay ends with her hope to make Reiki a more mainstream therapy in health care settings like hospitals.

In Place of Refuge, she recounts the eerie feelings that have haunted her when she has visited this Hawaiian site east of Kailua-Kona. I could relate to her experience, having had the same strange feelings while visiting there.

In You've Done Well, Ms. O'Brien describes a trip to Ireland in which she encounters a man who is interested in her while touring with her friends and daughters. She has one of those choice of path decisions to make, and she recounts what she did and how it all turned out.

A Pebble in the Water is one of the most upbeat and inspiring stories in the book. In this essay, Ms. O'Brien describes how she started her students focusing on what they could do for the U.S. troops during Operation Desert Storm . . . and how one things led to another.

I Don't Want To recounts a resurrected memory of child molestation and the author's feelings about the memory today. It's very poignant.

Over the Rainbow recounts the passing of a very special spiritual friend and the lessons for us all.

White Lies and Family Secrets takes us behind the facade of her grandparent's marriage to see how important it is to provide a good example for our children and grandchildren.

My Auspicious Moment shares one of those wonderful encounters that can be a lifetime highlight as a wise mentor takes the time to share wisdom with us.

In a Scary Moment, you will find yourself facing death and disfigurement . . . and will experience your life a little differently after that.

The Phantom Van recounts another close encounter with the Grim Reaper that is equally powerful.

The Kabuki Pin explores the virtues of persistence and determination.

Third Sight describes a powerful healing experience.

My Deer Experience is one of those delightful tales of helping and gaining more from the experience that all of us love.

Mary Magdalene's Influence describes the effect of a personal epiphany in Jerusalem.

Peace Corps Pioneers takes you back to those wonderful days when the Peace Corps was new and we were all so thrilled by its potential.

The Bowl of Light is a wonderful lesson for parents and grandparents.

The Lesson of the Little Fir Tree is a parable about the pleasures and pains of growing up. Read it to your children and grandchildren!

Love Offerings is a powerful story about a friend's flirtation with romance that will haunt you.

A Second Chance is a short story about looking for the silver lining of whatever happens . . . and moving on. The story has an O. Henry feel to it although the twist at the end isn't so unexpected as O. Henry's are.

While many books from a spiritual perspective hew closely to a religious context and reference, Ms. O'Brien's spirit is informed in more ways and she generously shares those perspectives with us.

You'll like meeting her, and you'll be glad if you read her essays and stories.