Happy Together

artist ~ Claudia Tremblay

 “She was damn happy to be alive.

She didn’t have millions in the bank.

She wasn’t at the top of the

corporate ladder and still her deepest

dreams ... though she pursued them

hadn’t yet come true. But still 

she was damn happy to be alive.

She had people to love; a roof over her head;

she had all the essentials for living;

water, gas electricity, food;

she could appreciate the flowers blooming,

the sun beaming and the skies blessing.

She had good books to read. 

She spoke to the moon at night.

She often had a good sing in the shower.

And she lived her life with a touch of her own style.

The world’s mindless noise went quiet at the 

sight of her relentless joy.”

~ S.C. Lourie

“The Holy Spirit begins by perceiving you as perfect. Knowing this perfection is shared He recognizes it in others, thus strengthening it in both. Instead of anger this arouses love for both, because it establishes inclusion. Perceiving equality, the Holy Spirit perceives equal needs. This invites Atonement automatically, because Atonement is the one need in this world that is universal. To perceive yourself this way is the only way in which you can find happiness in the world. 

That is because it is the acknowledgment that you are not in this world, for the world is unhappy.” 

A Course in Miracles T-6.II.5:1-7

"Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. 

It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:18-21

A New Leaf Every Hour

Akseli Gallen-Kallela - Spring Night, 1914.

“It is easy to mourn the lives we aren't living. Easy to wish we'd developed other talents, said yes to different offers. Easy to wish we'd worked harder, loved better, handled our finances more astutely, been more popular, stayed in the band, gone to Australia, said yes to the coffee or done more bloody yoga.

It takes no effort to miss the friends we didn't make and the work we didn't do, the people we didn't marry and the children we didn't have. It is not difficult to see yourself through the lens of other people, and to wish you were all the different kaleidoscopic versions of you they wanted you to be. It is easy to regret, and keep regretting, ad infinitum, until our time runs out.

But it is not lives we regret not living that are the real problem. It is the regret itself. It's the regret that makes us shrivel and wither and feel like our own and other people's worst enemy.

We can't tell if any of those other versions would of been better or worse. Those lives are happening, it is true, but you are happening as well, and that is the happening we have to focus on.”

Matt Haig - The Midnight Library, 2020

 “The chief beauty about time

is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,

as perfect, as unspoiled,

as if you had never wasted or misapplied

a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour

if you choose.”

Arnold Bennett

“In every difficulty, all distress, and each perplexity 

Christ calls to you and gently says,

 “My brother, choose again.”

A Course in Miracles T-31.VIII.3.2

A Cup of Cold Water

Today, I had occasion to speak to a repairman for quite some time. He was afraid about many things, and told me of a few. At one point, he lamented his cell phone, telling me how it “mysteriously” called numbers and such; saying they were too complicated to learn. I tried to be encouraging, telling him that if he wanted to know more about his cellular devices, he would. If he really didn’t want to, he wouldn’t. This caused him to be quiet for a few beats. I told him a story, which I’ve told many times before. It’s from the movie, Parenthood, with Steve Martin and Mary Steenburgen. At the end, things are taking many unexpected turns in their lives when the tiny, wise grandmother says: “Life is like a rollercoaster. Either you find it scary and stressful, or you see it as an exciting and joyous adventure. The repairman started smiling, grinning actually. He had never considered life from this perspective. Hallelujah! Now is the time for us to speak truth every time we have a chance. You might help someone. You could save your sanity …

“Millions of unprejudiced minds — simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert — are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 507:14-18

“Is it not evident that what the body’s eyes perceive fills you with fear? Perhaps you think you find a hope of satisfaction there. Perhaps you fancy to attain some peace and satisfaction in the world as you perceive it. Yet it must be evident the outcome does not change. Despite your hopes and fancies, always does despair result. And there is no exception, nor will there ever be. The only value that the past can hold is that you learn it gave you no rewards which you would want to keep. For only thus will you be willing to relinquish it, and have it gone forever.”
A Course in Miracles T-25.II.1:1-8

With a Nod to Jim

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

I am so inspired by the monthly newsletter from my dear Friend, Jim Young, that I’m sending it out as my daily offering!

“NAMASTE and Happy New Life, Dear Friends,

For many, this time of year speaks to opening to a fuller awareness of spiritual purpose and reconnecting with a deeper sense of wholeness. For some, this is what resurrection means: a spiritual re-birthing, a renewal or re-creation of their lives in ways even more meaningful than any time in their past. The metaphor of the Easter story and the advent of Spring, celebrated last month and this.

Well it should be that we celebrate each re-creation of our lives. If we stand still, the world leaves us in the dust of ages past, and agendas completed or cast aside. Indeed, we shift our image and purpose scores of times daily, so why not celebrate each one, living true to our Self? Being truly authentic?

I want to take this opportunity to thank you who follow such offerings that I plant in this newsletter, along with simple daily commentaries I place on Facebook and Twitter. Also, I thank you for following the new weekly podcasts I recently initiated. Your continuous commitment means much to me.

On life goes, merrily, merrily, merrily on its way!

I mention these workings not to boast about my own progress, even now at age 89, but to hopefully inspire you to understand that there's virtually nothing you want to do in life, at any age, that you cannot--providing you focus inwardly like a laser to make peace with your own authentic Voice of Wisdom and follow only that on your daily journey.

You're never too old to begin anew. Don't let a contrary thought of any kind be an option.

The advent of spring is just the time to plant yourself in new commitments of your very own, a reinventing of yourself so to speak, so you--and your new dreams, like plants in springtime--can bloom fully in all their ecstasy and be an inspiration for you and all around you.

From conversations with many of you, it's obvious that inner stirrings and angst from the ongoing coronavirus and the current world condition are more common and even more profound than we may realize. It's just as obvious that such stirrings are causing confusion among the ranks about our feelings, our life purpose and even physical changes that are coming our way these days.

A good way of shifting from angst to inner peace and to gain spiritual focus is to enjoy planting some new seeds of Life, dear friends. Our daily renewal just keeps getting better and better, day after day after day. Don't delay. Honor your dreams now.

Plant your renewed life images wherever you stand. And BLOOM to the hilt!

With Love's infinite blessings,

Jim Young”


“Be not afraid. We only start again an ancient journey long ago begun that but seems new. We have begun again upon a road we travelled on before and lost our way a little while. And now we try again. Our new beginning has the certainty the journey lacked till now. Look up and see His Word among the stars, where He has set your Name along with His. Look up and find your certain destiny the world would hide but God would have you see.”
A Course in Miracles C-ep.3:1-7

“I am Spirit. Man, whose senses are spiritual, is my likeness. He reflects the infinite understanding, for I am Infinity. The beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory, — all are Mine, for I am God. I give immortality to man, for I am Truth. I include and impart all bliss, for I am Love. I give life, without beginning and without end, for I am Life. I am supreme and give all, for I am Mind. I am the substance of all, because I am that I am.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 252:32-8

Cosmic Time

We all have experienced the relativity of time passing. Time spent in the dentist’s chair passes much slower than time laughing and talking to friends! Years ago, it seemed that we had sped up time with all of the rushing about we do. Even youngsters think time passes quickly. Then the pandemic came along and time took on a whole new persona. It seems to be both slow and fast at the same time. In the 1970s, we were told that big cosmic changes were on the way. I don’t think anyone could have predicted the world we are now experiencing. Individually, we are feeling both torn and united. And somehow there seems to be greater clarity than ever. It’s an impossible thing for me to define, but I know we need to talk to each other when we become afraid. Love is stronger than fear, and we only need a reminder of that to bring us back to Truth.

“The miracle minimizes the need for time. In the longitudinal or horizontal plane the recognition of the equality of the members of the Sonship appears to involve almost endless time. However, the miracle entails a sudden shift from horizontal to vertical perception. This introduces an interval from which the giver and receiver both emerge farther along in time than they would otherwise have been. The miracle thus has the unique property of abolishing time to the extent that it renders the interval of time it spans unnecessary. There is no relationship between the time a miracle takes and the time it covers. The miracle substitutes for learning that might have taken thousands of years. It does so by the underlying recognition of perfect equality of giver and receiver on which the miracle rests. The miracle shortens time by collapsing it, thus eliminating certain intervals within it. It does this, however, within the larger temporal sequence.”
A Course in Miracles - T-1.II.6:1-10

“You may know when first Truth leads by the fewness and faithfulness of its followers. Thus it is that the march of time bears onward freedom’s banner. The powers of this world will fight, and will command their sentinels not to let truth pass the guard until it subscribes to their systems, but Science, heeding not the pointed bayonet, marches on. There is always some tumult, but there is a rallying to truth’s standard.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 7

Building Connections

 

Good Friends

The best decompression activity I know of is laughing with s. Every month or so, three dear women and I have an afternoon of playing spades and enjoying each others' company. We always feel renewed and happy after these days, and look forward to finding time to do it again as soon as possible. Many people, for many reasons, have not been able to cultivate lasting friendships, and I want to assure them that it's never too late! Reach out to folks who you have a good feeling about, whether you know them or not. Companionship, stimulating conversation, card games, a common cause such as animal welfare  -- there are many foundations on which to enjoy communion with others. Don't be afraid to reach out!

"You rest within the peace of God today, and call upon your brothers from your rest to draw them to their rest, along with you. You will be faithful to your trust today, forgetting no one, bringing everyone into the boundless circle of your peace, the holy sanctuary where you rest. Open the temple doors and let them come from far across the world, and near as well; your distant brothers and your closest friends; bid them all enter here and rest with you. " 

A Course in Miracles  W-pI.109.8.

“If my friends are going to Europe, while I am en route for California, we are not journeying together. We have separate time-tables to consult, different routes to pursue. Our paths have diverged at the very outset, and we have little opportunity to help each other. On the contrary, if my friends pursue my course, we have the same railroad guides, and our mutual interests are identical; or, if I take up their line of travel, they help me on, and our companionship may continue.”

Mary Baker Eddy — Science &Health Page 21:15-24

A Little Bit of Good

“Secrets and Marvels of Nature” is a compilation of segments from CBS Sunday Morning, which features unique situations in nature. It is joyous and hopeful! I loved watching people help sea turtles survive, seeing a pigeon refuge and understanding how wonderfully smart they are, or witnessing people who allow land to become what it was before we sterilized it. We are living in a time when nature appears to be under attack, and so these vignettes showing empathy and the goodness of people are beautiful and inspiring. It’s hopeful to see how one person can make a difference! For instance, with the sea turtles which are being saved, everyone is volunteering their time — including pilots who help with transportation. After their rehabilitation, their release back into the ocean was a joyous celebration! It reminded me of the story about the little boy throwing stranded starfish from the beach back to the ocean. A man asks him what he thinks he’s doing because he can’t save them all. The little boy says, “I saved that one!” I like looking at life that way, saving what I can and bringing joy wherever possible! Namaste …

“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:1-9

“The lion and the lamb lying down together symbolize that strength and innocence are not in conflict, but naturally live in peace. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God’ is another way of saying the same thing. A pure mind knows the truth and this is its strength. It does not confuse destruction with innocence because it associates innocence with strength, not with weakness.” 

A Course in Miracles T-3.I.5:3-6