July 29, 2013 - Put Down the Glass

"South Africa Sunrise"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #210

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #190 “I choose the joy of God instead of pain.”

I just read a wonderful story that I related to today's lesson. We are asked how much a glass of water weighs. Then we are told it doesn't matter what its weight is, it matters how long we hold it. If we hold it a minute, it's light. If we hold it an hour, our arm and/or hand may become uncomfortable with the weight. If we hold it all day, our arm will feel paralyzed. This is related to holding onto worries and fears. If we keep them with us, we become convinced that they are impossible to overcome. We are paralyzed from the carrying of this weight. All we have to do is put the glass down to be released from our burden! Then we are free to feel the joy which is innately ours as a child of Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 265:23-30

July 29, 2012 - Choose Joy

"Book Club Joy" 

A Course in Miracles Lesson #210 (review)

Central Theme:

“I am not a body. I am free.

For I am still as God created me.”

 Specific review: (#190) “I choose the joy of God instead of pain.”

Gathering with friends is always delicious! One of these feasts which I attend is a book club of women who are connected through our experiences with our children and our school.  The small independent school we were involved with fostered a kinship, a shared vision for education, an experience to be satisfied within. The school’s logo is, The Clear Spring School, Where Learning Is a Joy! Our once-a-month we meet and conversations flow through updates on our amazing offspring, relating of the excitement and chaos of trips, the joys in daily life,  and we even discuss the book! Actually, the books we read lead us in a direction for our discussions, but these books are simply tools to keep us connected, to engage us in a joyous celebration of who we are. I realize now that a common denominator amongst us is that we've always chosen joy over all the rest. There is, of course, pain in our lives, but we continually choose to live  in joy rather than sorrow. When the remembrances of hardships come to us, we acknowledge them and turn them away, in favor of the joy. When I’m with these beautiful people, I remember a Rumi quote: "Be with those who help your being'!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 265:23-30