Notice the Beauty

Photo Courtesy of Blake Lasater

I’ve never been much of a baker. But today, I decided to bake some muffins for my neighbor. I used almond flour and, for flavoring, some delightful powdered lemon concentrate — and pomegranate, too. There was, of course, some vanilla involved. The smell was astounding! All of my senses were alive as the muffins baked and the aroma wafted through the house. I was listening to the book, Theo of Golden. In this story, an older man buys portraits of people he does not know, all painted by a particular artist and displayed in a café. The man, Theo, buys portraits, then finds the subject, giving it to them and learning their story. Those of you who have read it will remember the story of the homeless woman. I think it’s the most beautiful writing I have ever experienced. On this day, when our thoughts turn to spring and renewal, remembering what is good and pure, my heart is full. The gratitude I feel for this life is overwhelming. The sun is shining today, we had beautiful rain last night, and life is good. May you enjoy a day full of Love, as you celebrate Life!

"The necessity for uplifting the race is father to the fact that Mind can do it; for Mind can impart purity instead of impurity, strength instead of weakness, and health instead of disease. Truth is an alterative in the entire system, and can make it 'every whit whole.'"
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page

“Give faith to your brother, for faith and hope and mercy are yours to give. Into the hands that give, the gift is given.Look on your brother, and see in him the gift of God you would receive. It is almost Easter, the time of resurrection. Let us give redemption to each other and share in it, that we may rise as one in resurrection, not separate in death. Behold the gift of freedom that I gave the Holy Spirit for you. And be you and your brother free together, as you offer to the Holy Spirit this same gift. And giving it, receive it of Him in return for what you gave. He leadeth you and me together, that we might meet here in this holy place, and make the same decision.”
—A Course in Miracles T-19.IV-D.17:1-9

What Does Our Planet Need?

Artwork by Natasha Tarasova

“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”

David W. Orr - Ecological Literacy:

Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World

“Do you not think the world needs peace as much as you do? Do you not want to give it to the world as much as you want to receive it? For unless you do, you will not receive it. If you want to have it of me, you must give it. Healing does not come from anyone else. You must accept guidance from within. The guidance must be what you want, or it will be meaningless to you. 

That is why healing is a collaborative venture.”

A Course in Miracles T-8.IV.4:1-8

“Truth, not corporeal will, is the divine power which says to disease, 

‘Peace, be still.’”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 144:20-22

Human Rights

Art by William Haskell 

In my lifetime, I have seen many advances in our understanding and the implementation of so-called human rights. We have seen the Voting Rights Act, Title IX sex discrimination legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Supreme Court rulings overturned state bans on contraception and interracial marriage. Abortion and same-sex marriage have been legalized. It seems odd that our government would have to guarantee these fundamental human rights, but many things had become illegal since our country’s inception, and women and minorities were always stifled when it came to voting and holding certain stations in life. We made many advances during the 1900s, and we were proud of our open minds and higher thinking. Now it seems many people think these human rights are not necessarily something which should be legislated. I agree they shouldn’t have to be, as as we are all one in Spirit. Well, I won’t go on and on about this. It’s pretty simple if we let our beliefs and ego fade away and allow Love to rule our ways. Namaste…

“Today we will claim the miracles which are your right, since they belong to you. You have been promised full release from the world you made. You have been assured that the Kingdom of God is within you, and can never be lost. We ask no more than what belongs to us in truth. Today, however, we will also make sure that we will not content ourselves with less.” 

—A Course in Miracles W-77.3:1-5

"The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right-thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping post and slave market, but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator." 

—Mary Baker Eddy -- circa 1865

Unleash the Love

I regularly listen to the unpacking of A Course in Miracles workbook lessons, translated and interpreted by Corrine Walson and Nouk Sanchez. Recently they used the term “unleash the Love”. What a beautiful image that creates, does it not? I’m also reading the book in the lead photo which is shown here. I’m at a point in it where the author is discussing our inhumane treatment of our animal neighbors. As I pondered our thoughtless actions toward our planet and its inhabitants, many things came to mind. I shall not delineate them here. All I will say is let’s unleash the Love! In this season of renewal and resurrection, I’m going to consistently use every action, every thought, with the intention of unleashing this force which is the strongest thing there is!! Let’s Love Out Loud!!

“God is the Life, or intelligence, which forms and preserves the individuality and identity of animals as well as of men.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 550:3-7

“Our Father, bless our eyes today. We are Your messengers, and we would look upon the glorious reflection of Your Love which shines in everything. We live and move in You alone. We are not separate from Your eternal life. There is no death, for death is not Your Will. And we abide where You have placed us, in the life we share with You and with all living things, to be like You and part of You forever. We accept Your Thoughts as ours, and our will is one with Yours eternally. Amen.”
—A Course in Miracles W-163.9:1-8

More Pottering, Please

"Pottering: A Cure For Modern Life", by Anna McGovern is a book I love without having read it -- and that's probably because I'm living it, as many of you are, too. One definition of pottering is this: to move around without hurrying, in a relaxed and pleasant way. That's just perfect! Wayne Dyer was fond of saying that we aren't human doings, we're human beings. He reminded us we don’t need to be rushing around all the time, constantly doing; that we are free to "be" and enjoy doing what we are led to do, independent of what we think we should be doing. I've always loved this way of thought and feel fortunate to have been able to follow this advice for most of my life. As I tell people when they ask how I'm adjusting to retirement: I've been practicing for it for years! I love pottering around the house doing chores and putting total attention on so-called mundane tasks -- the same full attention which I give to playing duplicate bridge. Washing dishes holds a rainbow of sensory events which I now have time to savor, as did making the meal which gave me the dirty dishes. To sit down and read a favorite weekly news magazine is bliss; to practice the piano is heavenly. I look forward to reading Ms. McGovern's book, because her title tells me we already know each other — though we've never met. Happy Pottering!!

"Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 230:12

“Then follow Him in joy, with faith that He will lead you safely through all dangers to your peace of mind this world may set before you. Kneel not before the altars to sacrifice, and seek not what you will surely lose. Content yourself with what you will as surely keep, and be not restless, for you undertake a quiet journey to the peace of God, where He would have you be in quietness.” 

—A Course in Miracles T-13.VII.15:1-3

Lending Ourselves to Each Other

Numerous times during our known history, there have been great disruptions in the norm, usually brought on by drought or disease or other outside influences. Our world is experiencing one of those times -- perhaps the most urgent ever known. Each and every one of us have been practicing for this parenthesis in time, and we are ready to do whatever we are called upon to do. I see within our small communities a gathering, a desire to know if our neighbors have a problem we can help solve, or a physical need we can meet — perhaps a helping hand with a chore, or simply a kind word. As a dear friend often says: We lend ourselves to each other. But many are afraid to do this, thinking everyone has nefarious ambitions, and this causes us to withhold ourselves. I don’t deny the existence of some scallywags out there, and we must use our intuition and back off if we get a bad "vibe", but let's learn to trust ourselves and, thereby, trust others, too. We’re all in this together …

“Trusting your brothers is essential to establishing and holding up your faith in your ability to transcend doubt and lack of sure conviction in yourself. When you attack a brother, you proclaim that he is limited by what you have perceived in him. You do not look beyond his errors. Rather, they are magnified, becoming blocks to your awareness of the Self that lies beyond your own mistakes, and past his seeming sins as well as yours.”
—A Course in Miracles W-181.1:1-4

The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518:15-19

Run Towards Kindness

Gustav Klimt - Portrait of Beatrice Portinari, 1891

“Your empathy will be your salvation. When in doubt, run toward kindness.” Tennessee Williams

“Dream softly of your sinless brother, who unites with you in holy innocence. And from this dream the Lord of Heaven will Himself awaken His beloved Son. Dream of your brother’s kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes. Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave. Forgiveå him his illusions, and give thanks to him for all the helpfulness he gave. And do not brush aside his many gifts because he is not perfect in your dreams. He represents his Father, Whom you see as offering both life and death to you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-27.VII.15:1-7

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 11-16