Thank You, Georgia O'Keeffe!

Three friends and I went to Crystal Bridges to experience the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit. What a joyous time we had together! Ms. O’Keefe had a glorious life in many ways, but experienced deep sorrow related to interpersonal relationships. Having studied up on her life before going, I knew when some of her darkest periods were, and expected to see them reflected in her art. I was pleasantly surprised to see that surrounding some of her deepest depression is some of her most vibrant painting! Following a complete breakdown, she didn’t paint for a year and a half. She then became somewhat of a recluse and began a whole new phase of her life. She is a study in confidence! One of her comments which struck me is this: “Someone else’s vision will never be as good as your own vision of yourself. Live and die with it, because in the end, that’s all you have. Lose it and you lose yourself, and everything else.” Thank you, Georgia, for the joy you brought to four women today!

“…we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way. We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:25-29

Reflecting Pure Light

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I watch  friends and acquaintances in the multitude of roles they play. I see shopkeepers living on Eureka-time in a laid-back tourist town. Then there are professions which could be taken as stressful, and it's interesting to note which are so and which aren't. You've probably already thought of the myriad of "types" of people you know. In reflecting on this, it seems it doesn't matter whether they are in a profession which handles what we think of as life-or-death situations, or whether they check groceries, make music, create art, live a philanthropic life, or do anything they please on a regular basis. No matter how they spend their time, some are uptight and some are calm and cool. It's simply a matter of how they choose to respond to events around them. Some of these people are pure light, reflecting Love in their every action. Some of them really want to be happy, and often pretend they are so, but deep in their eyes (and obvious in their actions) fear, guilt, lack are seen. Then there are those who dash about from one activity to another, rushed and hurried, running from something that perhaps isn't recognized even by them. I translate these actions as varying degrees of remembrance. Some don't know there's anything to remember, and when they get hints, it frightens them and they retreat into well-known beliefs and actions. Almost everyone I know has caught a glimpse of Truth and are eager to remember more. Once we touch this Oneness, we want to feel it all the time. There's nothing else quite like it! 

“Man is the family name for all ideas,--the sons and daughters of God. All that God imparts moves in accord with Him, reflecting goodness and power.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 515:16:24

Revelation and Progress

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A friend and I were recently talking about our children and how wonderful they are and how glad we are to know them. She said she didn't know how her boys had turned out so great, as she had moved them around frequently when they were young, and many of her ways wouldn't have been advocated by the so-called experts in childrearing. Yet because she was honest with her children, and she always loved them fully without judgment, they are wonderful human beings and super parents in their own right. My boys also are wonderful, but the physical circumstances of their childhood was entirely different. They attended a beautiful independent school in a small town, had a full-time mom and every-other-weekend dad, and made lifelong friends while learning about the world from their small neighborhood. There are some things my friend and I had in common raising these boys. We didn't place limitations and judgments on them. We encouraged their light to shine and made sure they knew what that meant. We weren't afraid to teach them about God, but we didn't threaten them with this knowledge. Now that they're adults, we have the pleasure of watching their light shine, fearless and loving, giving forth what they have received.

"Light: Symbol of Truth; revelation and progress." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 591:23-24

I Want to Be Happy

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I want to feel good. I want to be happy. Don't we all want these things? While feeling good and being happy may sometimes seem illusive, they are the product of the realization of our true being as Love and the expression of it. When I'm feeling unhappy, I’ve found  the way out is to do something for someone else. As more of the world is waking up to this, there are more writings concerning how we can continue to accept our enlightened state by realizing true consciousness. To share with others in this awakening is exciting! We are all doing it to some extent, aren't we? Look at the groups we are involved with in conversation: book clubs, spiritual meetings of various sorts, salons, chat rooms, virtual discussions, blogs -- the possibilities are endless! Every encounter I have with another, ever thought I have, each and every one is shared with the universe. I vow to choose wisely, even when I think I’m talking to myself!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"It is essential to understand, instead of believe, what relates most nearly to the happiness of being. To seek Truth through belief in a human doctrine is not to understand the infinite." Science & Health Page 285:32-4

Our Essence as Love

photo credit: Richard Quick

What is love? As a personal value, love changes and shifts. Friendships end over disagreements, marriages fall apart, societies struggle with how to remain cohesive while accepting those who think differently. In reality, Love is unchanging. This Love changes our material expectations and perceived shortcomings, when we allow it. There was a time when two people I care for did not get along with each other. Seeing them both as expressions of Love helped them to see themselves this way, too. Seeing myself as complete allows a shift to occur in the way I treat others — and myself. All problems, large and small, are symptoms of a basic misconception that we are fallen humans separated from Love. The understanding that we are Love, wholly and purely, starts a domino-effect process which inevitably includes everyone in this shift of thought, away from the unreal belief in what we think we are to the pure comprehension of  our essence as Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “From Love and from the light and harmony which are the abode of Spirit, only reflections of good can come.”

Science & Health Page 280:4-7

Go Where the Music Takes You

photo credit: Richard Quick

Music is an aid which opens our thought to things we may have forgotten or, perhaps, never have known. I love to sit with an all-encompassing symphony orchestra, opening my mind to only the music, until at some point I feel there is nothing else in the world. I recall Wayne Dyer talking about muscle testing using different items. An organic banana allowed full strength in his son, whereas holding a CD of raucous music left him much weakened. Each of us enjoys different kinds of music, and there are many levels of this enjoyment. Something we would enjoy with friends at a party may not compare to the quiet strains of Bach, which take us deeper within ourselves prior to meditation or writing. Find the music which opens you to hearing the messages Life, Truth, and Love are offering you. Surround yourself with this river of salvation and see where it takes you!

“Mozart experienced more than he expressed. The rapture of his grandest symphonies was never heard. He was a musician beyond what the world knew.This was even more strikingly true of Beethoven, who was so long hopelessly deaf. Mental melodies and strains of sweetest music supersede conscious sound. Music is the rhythm of head and heart. Mortal mind is the harp of many strings, discoursing either discord or harmony according as the hand, which sweeps over it, is human or divine.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 213:19-29

Just Write

Paulo Coelho is one of my favorite authors. In his book, "Aleph”, and others, he takes us on a spiritual journey which shows that we are indeed not alone in either our fears or our realizations of Truth. This novel is described as his most personal, and from the little I know of Mr. Coelho's life, our main character seems to have many common characteristics with his creator. When he writes of spiritual progress feeling stagnant, I ache for him. These  sentences ask for remembrance: "It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present. It's what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future." What a vibrant, hopeful statement! And now is the time. What you do right now is the pivotal point in your life. Let go of any and all grievances of any kind. Notice your thoughts as they peek out at you during the day. Are they reinforcing old, often-painful beliefs, or are they leading you out of them?  I find novels such as those written by Mr. Coelho to be delightful. I urge each of you to write! Write in blogs, write letters to the editor, keep a journal -- anything and everything which solidifies our yearning to know Oneness needs to be written. It deserves a voice which contains no fear, no shame, only honesty.

“It requires courage to utter truth; for the higher Truth lifts her voice, the louder will error scream, until its in‐articulate sound is forever silenced in oblivion.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 278:1-11

Harmony - June 7, 2018

Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation. How much time and energy do we spend in attempting to negate conflict between others and/or within ourselves? We can make lists of the merits of our choices, we can role play and put ourselves in others' places in a situation, we can enlist therapists to help us out. There are lots of ways to search for the door out of conflict. I have found the only true way to leave it behind is to realize that such a thing does not exist anywhere other than in my thought. Anyone who has ever tried to calm fighting siblings knows the process can be daunting no matter how you approach it! I'll always remember a time when my boys were around 8 and 10 years of age. Their disagreements had advanced to the point where I saw no way out other than to give one of them away! One day, during a particularly intense bout, I gave up and sat down in my bedroom to have a good cry. Next to my chair was a stack of Christian Science Sentinels, the weekly publication which gives us practical metaphysical writings. I reached down and pulled one from the middle of the stack and opened it up to an article about brothers fighting! I don't remember anything about the content, other than it was just what I needed for the situation. And I remember the solution had to do with having no strong opinions. By letting go of my I'm-right-you're-wrong attitude, I was able to lead them to the same way of thought, by living it, not just telling them what they should do. Living Love creates bridges which bring us together in peace. Trust that your function and your happiness are your heritage, and don't be afraid to open up and see what unexpected ways it will be manifested.

“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 106:7-10

Love Is The Common Denominator

I love silly situation comedies, such as Modern Family.  A favorite episode is one where Claire has lunch with an old college friend. Her friend has a very successful career and an exciting life as a single woman. Claire is jealous and wants to show off her three kids and husband of seventeen years, so she takes her friend home to meet them. Her handsome husband is inexplicably wearing a huge fake mustache and is trapped in a port-a-potty placed there by the water department while they work on the lines. Her oldest daughter is having a loud altercation with her boyfriend. Her other daughter and her son have been recycling in the neighborhood and have the kitchen filled with semi-empty bottles of alcohol. The son is in his underwear because he spilled booze all over himself, while the daughter is trying to catch a rat which came in with the boxes. So much for self-importance, huh? Most of us probably have a silly story about a situation which backfired when we've wanted to show off in some way. If we stop and think about these feelings and what's behind them, it's easy to see how this desire to be "special", to be better than someone else, is at the core of every disagreement and conflict in the world.  With the understanding that we are all the reflection of Love each demonstrating our individuality within this realm of unity, it becomes possible to release false images of self-importance and relax into the perfection of this experience we know as life. By doing so, we are the light of the world! Seeing ourself in others and others in ourself, we fulfill our function of forgiveness. We do this by giving up ideas and beliefs which foster the misconception that we are all different, and instead embrace Love as our common denominator.

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 15:26-27

Living Love

PC: Aaron Springston

Cynicism hides the light of the world very effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity.  During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. We know that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted, and fear can never be as powerful as Love. More people every day are waking up to the truth of their being, living the salvation of this realization, and not allowing anything to hide that light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

"The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 561:1-4

Trust

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Trust seems to be a national issue right now. The things we have learned to trust suddenly feel frightening — i.e., policemen, politicians, preachers. Sometimes we have a tough time trusting our friends and loved ones. I know people who speak in derogatory terms about their children and their spouses. What is this thing we think of as trust? Does it truly originate in someone else, or does it come from within ourselves? Perhaps we don’t trust others because we don’t trust ourselves, or do we not trust ourselves because we don’t trust others? It all seems terribly complicated. I’m questioning, within myself, what it means, where it starts, where it ends. Perhaps it’s like love, and there is no beginning nor end, although there certainly seems to be a finite amount to go around. I suppose I’m looking at this from a material view and I should practice what I preach, looking beyond human feelings and fears into the infinite realm of Love. Okay, I think I’ve convinced myself…

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-12 

It's All How You Look at It

from of my gallery the day I wrote
this years ago

[another memory from years gone by]

Last evening, there was a reception in my gallery, Eureka Thyme, for people who are in town for a meeting of the Arkansas Keep America Beautiful group. My temptation was to be embarrassed by the large and ugly hole in front of the gallery. There are orange cones, sandbags, black plastic filled with last week's rain, and a general air of destruction. But as I've chosen to see drawing attention to my gallery as free advertising, I also chose to look past the war-zone look of it all to the pure goodness reflected by everyone involved. Interestingly, not a single one of the party attendees said anything about the mess, but only complimented us on our beautiful town, the great gallery space, and the wonderful food provided for them. The Light being expressed by the people I met at this event was palpable! One woman, with whom I felt an immediate affinity, was not only the leader of her local beautification program but had spearheaded an unusual art show. The Arkansas State Hospital is committed to the treatment of mental illness. This woman inaugurated an art show featuring works from the patients. She said most of the people there had nothing but the clothes on their back when they came to the facility. This amazing art show and sale is benefiting them in many ways. Not just by increasing self-esteem, but putting some cash back for them upon their release. She said this has helped them to want to get better, as many stay all their life for fear of returning to the "real world". How inspiring it is to meet people who are following inner guidance in the bringing of light to the world! Today I vow to listen deeply and follow through on what I hear!

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 90:24-32

Peaceful Memories of Yesteryear

We've invented a cocoon called Eureka Thyme. We are invisible to people who wouldn't appreciate us, we're invisible to anyone who wants to talk coffee-shop banter about politics and how the world is doomed, we are invisible to fans of gossip -- it's delightful! We just don't hear such things in the gallery, and on the rare occasions we do, I've found ways to lead people back to paths of peace. This is not to say our world is always spent in quiet contemplation. Everything in the gallery reflects the Love with which it was made, and that shows forth in an atmosphere which glows with this Love. And it's also joyous! We have artist shows, author events, celebrations for every reason imaginable. I tell you these things to illustrate that we needn't allow inharmony to permeate our world. Peace and love are the realities of spiritual creation. When disharmonious materialism raises its voice, we refute it, with Love.

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 261:4-7

How Many More Books Do You Expect to Read?

PC: Aaron Springston

My book club met tonight, and I was the hostess. I had not read the book. As is our custom, we went around the room and everyone told what they thought of the month’s read. I stated that I was being selfish and I had not read the book, because if a read did not leave me at a better place than when I started, I’m not interested in spending time with it. Actually, this “it” is not only books, but everything in life. Perhaps I’m feeling my so-called mortality, or maybe I am being small-minded. Whatever the case, I do look at every moment of every day and ponder how I can help situations, or bring others out of pain. I’m currently reading Pema Chodron’s book “Getting Unstuck”.  It is helping me understand that many situations in this life are “sticky”. This, to me, is worth further examination. I don’t feel bad about not reading something which can help me understand the horrors of prejudice. I already understand that. I want to learn more about helping people leave behind the beliefs which keep them stuck in a life which does not serve them or anyone else. Namastè.

“Ideas of Truth alone are reflected in the myriad manifestations of Life, and thus it is seen that man springs solely from Mind. The belief that matter supports life would make Life, or God, mortal.” Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 543: 25-30

I Shall Be Released

PC: Gerry Toler

A number of people whom I know seem to be incapable of making a decision. They often need confirmation that their beliefs about a situation are worthy of them, and so they wait for someone else to tell them they think that way, too, and then they can give their opinion. This need for validation is not a rare condition. I believe I may have suffered from it at points in my life. The tools we have at our disposal from the study and practice of divine metaphysics tend to let us walk past the temptation to feel so self-important that we're afraid to be wrong. While it's usually thought of as low self-esteem which causes this, it seems to me that it's valuing your own forever-believed image of yourself over your true image as the likeness of God. Releasing many long-practiced ways of life facilitates our recognition of this, and with this peaceful recognition we are freed. This spiritual sense allows us to speak without fear. I love listening to divine Mind rather than chasing in circles with mortal mind! It's more interesting, it frees me from worry and doubt, it leads me in fascinating paths, it teaches peace. 

"Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 273:4-9

Whole-i-ness Expressed

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. What a lovely world it is when we love ourselves more, and then let that love flow out to our neighbors. When we honor ourselves as reflections of Love, we are able to do no harm to others, because we wouldn't do it unto ourselves. Our purpose is to see this ever-present truth in everything. When I am interacting with someone who is living in fear, someone who turns every situation into a threat, I will turn it around in my thought by seeing the situation through differently. This allows me to release any thoughts of trying to change their attitude, any words of correction, all attack thoughts of any kind. I will live with Love and express it with words and actions as I move through this day, knowing that whole-i-ness expressed is my only purpose.

"We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:25-29

Held in Place by What?

At a meeting of our book club, we discussed a book which dealt with a young woman who had lived in foster care all her life. We talked about the problems which seem inherent in a child who is not loved unconditionally, who is perhaps abused in multitudes of ways. It's the general belief in this world that some things are too horrendous to get over; that we will be plagued with certain conditions forever, no matter what. The Dog Whisperer, (mentioned often in these writings) Cesar Milan, tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. I love hearing him tell us how dogs live in the moment. When he is helping people understand a dog maimed by past experiences in its life, he repeatedly tells the people that feeling sorry for the animal helps no one. Our words and actions hold animals (and people) in the same thought system which put them there in the first place! How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we learn in the study of metaphysics that it is necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought, which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the so-called miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. They seem very real to us, but if we stop and examine them, do they have any purpose other than holding us where we are?

“Many are willing to open the eyes of the people to the power of good resident in divine Mind, but they are not so willing to point out the evil in human thought, and expose evil’s hidden mental ways of accomplishing iniquity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:30-3

Reflecting Light

photo credit: Richard Quick

Seeing everything in light brings us happiness and peace. Reflecting Light to others shows them that they, also, are this harmony. A few simple words, expressing what we are seeing, brings joy to those we come into contact with every day. A compliment shared with someone in the grocery store or library may be just the encouragement they need at that moment. Shining the light of Oneness from within brings with it big blessings! I think we all know at least one someone whose expression of love seems to be a bit contrived. It's been my observation (both in others and within myself!) that these loving expressions must be sincere, not simply something we decide to say to make someone feel good. So today I will be feeling the joy which comes from seeing everything in light, and giving heart-felt expression to that joy, blessing the world.

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 215:11-14

To See or Not to See

PC: Arthur Bruno

We who are practicing metaphysicians often hear words like these: "Get real! Face facts! Pull your head out of the sand!" I usually just smile and say, "You may be right", and politely wander away. Rather than explaining -- or worse, arguing! -- I will feel Love, the spiritual reality, while allowing the material argument to pass through and be gone. I have not always been so easy to get along with! Recently I've had a chance to spend time with an old friend who moved far, far away. A number of years ago, she and I had an altercation which was deeply interconnected to many areas in our friendship. If either she or I had held onto the past, we wouldn't share the palpable Oneness we feel today. It's not a choice of seeing past or present, but a choice to see or not to see. I am grateful…

"Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 270:22-27

Transforming Error

Thailand - photo credit: Aaron Springston

In response to yesterday’s writing, my dear friend, Sandy Starbird responded: “This also applies to systems which decide that people who have erred legally are inherently bad and in need of punishment.  What a difference it would make if our compassion led us to help those who have broken our laws and need our help rather than our wrath.” This reminded me of a book I’ve mentioned in the past, The Buddha and the Terrorist by Satmi Kumar. In this short treatise, the murderous actions of a madman are explored. When he meets up with the Buddha in the forest, his life changes. But the brutality he has imposed on others is not so easily forgiven by those whose lives he has touched. This book examines how our system of retribution and retaliation do next to nothing to stop murder and mayhem. So what does? I think we all innately know the answer to this. Forgiveness is much more than ignoring actions; it’s transforming them in thought. And ideas make themselves known in form…

“If faith in the truth of being, which you impart mentally while destroying error, causes chemicalization (as when an alkali is destroying an acid), it is because the truth of being must transform the error to the end of producing a higher manifestation.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 401:7-11