Television's Cumulative Effect

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

The BF and I were discussing the state of the union tonight and our talk turned to how we, the people, have become so vulnerable and gullible. We decided it is a combinations of things -- as most everything is! -- but television plays the largest part in the dumbing down of us all. Add our limited education to that, perpetuated by our secondary schools and their policies held in place by stifling laws which make it difficult to teach and learn, and we begin to see the recipe taking shape. Yes, many students  become independent thinkers, but it's probably their parents and other role models who facilitate it. Another factor is food. The poisoned tidbits which we think of as food cause children to have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Add this to the fact kids can't play outside and feel clean dirt beneath their feet, fresh air in their lungs, and cool water swaddling them in summer -- well, these are ingredients set up to make Jack a dull boy (so to speak). I went to our high school today and worked with choir students for a while. They inspire me! There is hope in our world and we each have the assignment of tending it. Namaste, my Friends!

"In trying to undo the errors of sense, one must pay fully and fairly the utmost farthing, until all error is finally brought into subjection to Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:27

Shine On!

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

A lot has changed in the last couple of millennia, don't you think? We could spend hours listing changes in thought and our understanding of our universe! Some things which have not changed appreciably are our ideas about God. Religion has pretty well held us locked in to what has been thought of as truth. Many of us are fearlessly admitting that we are all, each and every one, the expression and experience of God. We're happily allowing our thought to embrace new concepts such as, "I am the light of the world"! This is not a self-important declaration, but an all-inclusive, divine-Love centered exclamation of the wonder we know as Life. Our expanding thought is bringing a joy we never dreamed would be possible on this earth plane. We're starting to understand that the kingdom of heaven is right here, within and without, waiting for us to embrace it. Let's go forth today and shine!

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

It's Befuddling

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I am befuddled by many things these days, but one of the biggest beliefs which give me pause is the idea that "god" has decreed that a certain man is to be our king. What kind of god do they think this is? It must be that they see something akin to a bearded white man in the sky sending down lightning bolts to chastise them, or gold stars if they please him, or having Jim Bakker making videos telling them what to do. It's a mystery to me how anyone can separate themselves from Life, Truth, and Love to the extent that they don't realize these everyday expressions are how we see God. How can anyone think our lives are predestined to have a madman in charge of things? Well, this is my Saturday night rant, so I won't go on. Have a happy, relaxing Sunday everyone! We need the down time to recharge ourselves with peace and love and all things good.

"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." Science & Health Page 570:30 

Can Peace Be Absent Here?

I saw a picture today of a man in a tee-shirt which said, "Give peace a chance". Then it had a photo of a big gun and it said, "I'll cover you if it doesn't work out." Where did we ever get the notion that we could be protected by violence? Later in the day, I saw an article from a few years back in which President Jimmy Carter is telling us the time for peace is now. He brought up such concepts as killing people for killing people, and governments waging wars to enforce peace. There are a multitude of ways we seem to think violence will end violence. I look back over the last few decades and it is astounding how often teachers and parents and authority figures think they can control others with threats and corporal punishment. Violent little boys grow up to be violent little men. Let's just stop it -- stop it now!

"Peace is impossible to those who look on war. Peace is inevitable to those who offer peace. How easily, then, is your judgment of the world escaped! It is not the world that makes peace seem impossible. It is the world you see that is impossible. Yet has God's Judgment on this distorted world redeemed it and made it fit to welcome peace. And peace descends on it in joyous answer. Peace now belongs here, because a Thought of God has entered. What else but a Thought of God turns hell to Heaven merely by being what it is? The earth bows down before its gracious Presence, and it leans down in answer, to raise it up again. Now is the question different. It is no longer, 'Can peace be possible in this world?' but instead, 'Is it not impossible that peace be absent here?'"

Love is Enthroned

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love." "Come on people now, Smile on your brother, Everybody get together, Try to love one another right now." "I see skies of blue, And clouds of white, The bright blessed day, The dark sacred night, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world." "All you need is love, All you need is love, All you need is love, love, Love is all you need." "You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one."

“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 454:9-10

Right Now

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I had a lesson in living in the moment today. Following duplicate bridge, I was taking a friend to do some errands. I should have known this sweet woman could not be rushed and it would be foolish to expect her to not look at everything in the WalMart before deciding she needed to go somewhere else. My plan had been to rush to a meeting after doing this with her, and I almost became irritated when I saw that wasn't going to happen. Watching us as if from a hidden camera, I began to enjoy each step which felt like walking through quicksand. I watched the young people smiling kindly at two doddering women, I watched myself park in a loading zone with no worries about legality, then felt happiness in being able to help my old friend figure out ways to deal with problems she felt were insurmountable. When she wanted things she was not supposed to have, I talked to her about it honestly rather than telling her "no". It was a good practice in letting go of my expectations and giving in to what was happening right then. It's nice to look back and smile over the events, rather than chew on the resentment which could have easily overtaken me. Here's to accepting what "is" and making the best of it!

"If he senses even the faintest hint of irritation in himself as he responds to anyone, let him instantly realize that he has made an interpretation that is not true. 3 Then let him turn within to his eternal Guide, and let Him judge what the response should be. 4 So is he healed, and in his healing is his pupil healed with him." A Course in Miracles M-18.4. 

Cheating

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A major league baseball team was fined 5 million dollars for cheating in the 2017 World Series. Some people think: So what? Everybody does it. Well, I'm here to affirm that they are wrong: Everybody does NOT do it. This desire to win no matter what is a flawed mission. What's the point in winning a game, or an election, or any type of competition, if you do it by blatantly exploiting the principles of the event or interaction? Humankind seems to have fallen under a spell as wicked as any Disney witch could conjure. Greed for power and/or riches has become more important than integrity and a higher moral code. I have an old friend who apparently was never held accountable for her actions as a child -- nor, perhaps, as an adult. It has made her an odd little person, shriveled by her pettiness and self-righteousness. What we do matters. Let's teach our children (and remind latent grown-ups) that making a difference every day is a life well-lived. 

"Only the trusting can afford honesty, for only they can see its value. Honesty does not apply only to what you say. The term actually means consistency. There is nothing you say that contradicts what you think or do; no thought opposes any other thought; no act belies your word; and no word lacks agreement with another. Such are the truly honest. At no level are they in conflict with themselves. Therefore it is impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything." A Course in Miracles - M-4.II.3-9

Dark = New Ideas & Rebirth

unfinished creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

I have a wise and dear friend who creates primal images from fabric. They are all exquisitely full of the wisdom of the ages and reflect their maker, as each of us does. Sandy Starbird sent me this image the other day when I was feeling overwhelmed. It is a photo of an unfinished work of art. I love her process almost as much as the product! Here are her words about the above photo: "In the Celtic spiritual tradition the raven symbolizes recovery and healing. The Tlingit and Haida cultural traditions say that Raven brought Light to the world.  It signifies cleansing, which means that if you have something unhealthy happening, you need to let go of it to return to balance and come into the Light. This is my gesture toward remembering to follow Raven's path. It is so easy today to linger in darkness with so much crazy swirling around. But Dark itself is not the problem. Dark is the place of new ideas and rebirth. It is making the gesture of bringing new Light, new Hope into this place that will make the path open and the way clear." Thank you, Sandy!

Remembering Truth

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

What is truth? Everywhere we look, it seems we have been and are being told lies. Religion, science, politics, the news media, advertisements, history — the list goes on. If we know something is a lie, why do we cling to it so adamantly? It seems we prefer to live in a world of lies rather than to take a step into the great unknown world of Truth. And then we ask, How do we know what is Truth in a world of lies? That, dear ones, is why we must listen within. The reality of our existence is covered up so thoroughly we have forgotten how to experience it. But we are remembering, aren’t we? Infinite Mind never hides Its voice!

“As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:2-8

Everything You Do is Sacred

NOW IS THE TIME TO KNOW

"Now is the time to know
That all that you do is sacred.

Now, why not consider
A lasting truce with yourself and God.

Now is the time to understand
That all your ideas of right and wrong

Were just a child’s training wheels
To be laid aside

When you can finally live
With veracity
And love.

Hafiz is a divine envoy
Whom the Beloved
Has written a holy message upon.

My dear, please tell me,
Why do you still
Throw sticks at your heart
And God?

What is it in that sweet voice inside
That incites you to fear?

Now is the time for the world to know
That every thought and action is sacred

This is the time
For you to deeply compute the impossibility
That there is anything
But Grace.

Now is the season to know
That everything you do
Is sacred."

– Hafiz

More Information Makes For Better Choices

Seeing this chart, showing who trusts which news sources, I am reminded of something someone said to me before the 2016 elections. She was telling me how tired she was of political commercials and how happy she would be when the election was over. I said I didn't have to put up with any commercials, because of the ways I choose to watch entertainment programing and news. She looked incredulous and asked, How do you know who to vote for? Wow. I was floored by that one. Do people really think they can choose their representatives by paid political ads? Or biased news?? I know we are smarter than that, so I must think we are either overwhelmed by the vast number of sources, or we're too lazy to ascertain truth for ourselves. I could easily jump on my high horse and expound on this for a long time, but I'm sure you could, too -- so I won't. Read, listen, question, and then read some more. Learn to recognize signs of hyperbole and outright lies. Think, question, read -- and do it again!

"Evil thoughts and aims reach no farther and do no more harm than one's belief permits. Evil thoughts, lusts, and malicious purposes cannot go forth, like wandering pollen, from one human mind to another, finding unsuspected lodgment, if virtue and truth build a strong defence." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 234:31

Laughing With Friends

The best decompression activity I know of is laughing with good friends. Every month or two, 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, 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.

Unexpectedly Upside Down

San Francisco photo credit: Aaron Springston

We all feel overwhelmed by life's circumstances at times -- or, at least, I know I have. Everything seems easier now, with grown children, no daily jobs to show up for, and most arduous demands being gone from my days. Sometimes things happen and we are drawn into them for one reason or another. I have friends whose lives have been turned upside down when they least expected it. How do we cope when an unexpected illness hits us or our loved ones, changing everything from the rhythm we had cherished? Of course, we do what we must, and we pray for strength and guidance, and we listen for answers in whatever form they may appear. I don't mean for this to sound like an easy task -- but really, what is our choice? To all of us who are afraid, perhaps angry, feeling put-upon unnecessarily, overwrought by things beyond our control -- just breathe. Breathe deeply and find something to be happy for, an idea to be peaceful about. Sometimes we must release a problem in order to find its resolution. We can't change the situation, but we can change our thought about it. Love to you, each and every one!

"Love is freedom. To look for it by placing yourself in bondage is to separate yourself from it. For the Love of God, no longer seek for union in separation, nor for freedom in bondage! As you release, so will you be released. Forget this not, or Love will be unable to find you and comfort you." A Course in Miracles T-16.VI.2.

Signs of Hope

On the John Muir Trail - PC: Aaron Springston

Points of progress, good news, signs of hope -- these are the things with which I try to fill myself. It's easy to overload on horror stories today. Almost every bit of news brings about fear for our planet's animals, rivers, trees, people -- the earth itself it being bombarded from all sides. So when I see a glimmer of goodness, I celebrate it! I just read an article about the most searched-for words of 2019. On the three major online dictionary sites, one phrase stood out: climate emergency. This means people are realizing there is an emergency, not just a gentle warming that in the middle of winter brings comfort. Crisis, extinction, eco-anxiety, ecocide: the search for these words' meaning is heartening, in that people are thinking in terms of finally doing something! Other top searches showed our interest in upcycling, gender neutral pronouns, and the odd word "tergiversations". This last one can be either "evasion of straightforward action or clear-cut statement" and "desertion of a cause, position, party, or faith". Each and every one of us want to do good; some want to do good for our fellow humans, others want good for themselves. Overall, these searches tell me that we care and are willing to work toward positive resolution!

"In quietness are all things answered, and is every problem quietly resolved. In conflict there can be no answer and no resolution, for its purpose is to make no resolution possible, and to ensure no answer will be plain." A Course in Miracles T-27.IV.1. 

Happiness is Everywhere!

Everywhere I went today, people were talking about how weird their day was, or how odd they felt, or what crazy things were going on around them. I love hearing these stories, don't you? No one seemed to be particularly upset about these odd events in their lives. The checker at the grocery store was almost giddy when relating a few events from her day. Once again proving that things are either stressful or exciting, maddening or fun, according to your interpretation and perceptions! I'm not going to go into the weird things which happened in my world today, but I feel the need for some Deva Premal chants. Here's one for you, too! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlnHON3tAXo

"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 

The Language of my Discernment

Today has been a interesting mishmash of talking to friends who have a multitude of problematic happenings in their lives. One dear woman is worried about her husband’s memory. Another has gangrene in her foot and her future is uncertain in every way. One passed a kidney stone and is very happy that’s over! Another is worried about losing his job. Someone has an adult son in rehab with serious mental problems. One of these people is a metaphysician and is feeling guilty because she can’t “do” something about the situation. This took my thought to the impersonal nature of disease. We seem to want to blame ourselves when a malady occurs. What did I do wrong which caused this dis-ease? If we are truly One in Spirit, then perhaps we shouldn’t take all the blame for the mass hypnotism running rampant in our society. Everywhere we turn, there is a commercial telling us what’s wrong with us, or a news story proclaiming disaster from something or another, or someone predicting doom in some for. What an we do? Just say no. There are many books and YouTube videos giving us tips on how to counteract negativity. Don’t be afraid to life your thought in this way. I think I’ll do that right now!

I'm Never Upset For the Reason I Think

Sometimes I get emotionally overwrought and don't realize it's happening until I say or do something foolish. At times like these, I wish I could retreat to the top of a mountain -- or perhaps a cave -- and wait for calm to come again. But that's not the way life happens, is it? Actually, it is if that place of calm you find is inside yourself. And that is, after all, the only place it truly can be. I could be by myself in outer space but still be fragile if my mind is spinning in circles of anxiety. So when I'm tempted to say someone else has upset me, that isn't even close to being true. Perhaps I've been tense about numerous circumstances and allow one little thing to tip the boat over. These times are when I return to Love, as I'm doing right now. I'm going to listen to calm instrumental music, close my eyes and forgive myself, loving the people and situations I could say are causing my unrest. "I love you. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you." 

​"​I am never upset for the reason I think.​ ​This idea​...can be used with any person, situation or event you think is causing you pain. Apply it specifically to whatever you believe is the cause of your upset, using the description of the feeling in whatever term seems accurate to you. The upset may seem to be fear, worry, depression, anxiety, anger, hatred, jealousy or any number of forms, all of which will be perceived as different. This is not true.​" W-pI.5.1.

Don't Take it Personally

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today I’ve been pondering a situation in which one person thinks another person isn’t doing his job. She wants things to change, but I’m not sure what those changes could possibly be! We are talking about dynamic personalities on both sides: two people who do good work in the community, take pride in their accomplishments, and are sorely disappointed when everything doesn’t work out as planned. I like them both and hope they can find a way to resolve their differences. I could take sides, but that wouldn’t help bring about resolution. Talking to them has allowed me to see they are hurt by the others actions. Which brings me back to a point I’m always making in these writings. If we would all live in harmony with The 4 Agreements, as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz, the world would be a peaceful, harmonious place. I once again affirm to not take anything personally, and to refuse to make assumptions about why people do what they do.

“Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.” Don Miguel Ruiz

Bound Together For Eternity

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

I'm remembering something I read years ago, saying that groups of people who share spiritual love are bound together for eternity. I'm feeling that connection this evening when finding out some sad news within a group of us who gather regularly. The Love we have for each other causes us all to feel joy and pain when one of us has a happy or tragic event in our lives. We share the giddiness of our children marrying and having babies; we're sad when one of us loses a loved one or suffers through an illness with a family member. I'm grateful for every one of these women who care enough to hold each other close through life's trials. We may be present physically, or sending loving thoughts and prayers from afar, as I'm doing tonight. May this omnipresent Love be felt by everyone, everywhere, who is feeling lost and alone, frightened and sick. Let us remember that loving energy is palpable, and when we send it, it is felt. 

“You will lose someone you can’t live without,​ ​and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly—that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp.”
― Anne Lamott

Times of Your Life

Photo Credit: Gerry Toler

A Meditation on Times

(patterned after Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

There is a time for every spiritual thought,
and a time for every activity within the soul:

A time to imagine,
     and a time to let a vision die;
A time to cultivate a hope,
     and a time to let a dream go;
A time to forget the past,
     and a time for memories to be healed;
A time to analyze possibilities,
     and a time to construct a plan;
A time to ponder sad things,
     and a time to rejoice at good news;
A time to grieve over losses,
     and a time to write music or poetry;
A time to spread information,
     and a time to gather it;
A time to fellowship,
     and a time to practice solitude;
A time to investigate,
     and a time to cease from research:
A time to defend your opinion,
     and a time to give it up;
A time to change your mind,
     and a time to reaffirm your purpose;
A time to be still before God,
     and a time to intercede for others;
A time to turn from trivialities,
     and a time to adore the Lord your God;
A time to wage spiritual warfare,
     and a time to enjoy spiritual tranquility;

There is a time for every spiritual thing,
and a time for every activity of the soul:

A time for meditation, and a time for ministry;
A time for meditation, and a time for ministry;
A time for meditation, and a time for ministry.

— David L. Hatton, 3/14/1998