Learn Something

I could not find the Wayne Dyer quote which has been floating around the edge of my memory all day. It's something like this: no matter how bad you feel for the hungry children, that won't feed them. It will probably jump out at me soon, and I'll write what I've been thinking about. But in the meantime, I found this that I like a lot!

“The best thing for being sad,” replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, “is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then—to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the thing for you. Look at what a lot of things there are to learn—pure science, the only purity there is. You can learn astronomy in a lifetime, natural history in three, literature in six. And then, after you have exhausted a million lifetimes in biology and medicine and theocriticism and geography and history and economics, why, you can start to make a cartwheel out of the appropriate wood, or spend fifty years learning to begin to learn to beat your adversary at fencing. After that you can start again on mathematics until it is time to learn to plough.”
― Wayne W. Dyer, Your Erroneous Zones

Channeled Writing

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

​Channeled writings: What do you think? The first time this term was explained to me, I thought: well, of course! The concept was something I understood, having always known the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Of course, she called her ideas “divinely inspired”. She also said she had to study her book because she did not write it. Talk like this caused Mark Twain to devote an entire tome to the cause of trying to prove she did not write Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures. When God is defined as she saw It — Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love — it is obvious that all ideas are from this Source. When we talk about someone being “in the zone”, or “getting out of their own way”, we mean that materiality is taken away from the equation, allowing Spirit to shine through. So when I hear that someone is channeling a particular person to birth an idea, it makes me squirm in a non-specific way. I suppose it goes back to this passage we call death. I don’t think there is a place with our husbands and dogs waiting for us to join them. So how could it be that a particular person is sending messages to the material plane? Perhaps it’s a matter of terminology, as ethereal concepts so often are. Maybe people are thinking of Jesus and The Christ as being one and the same, and I do not. I have said numerous times that we must not allow semantics to get in the way of Truth. Truth is found in many places, in many forms. My prayer for today is for me to not judge the letter, but imbibe the Spirit. Namaste...

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18

Enriched Perceptions

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Shadows on my Living Room Wall

I read an interview where a number of people tell of changes in their lives during this past year. It was a fascinating read because everyone had reasons their experiences were enriched by the different things they are doing since they are not so busy going places. One woman talked about light, and how she now noticed the shifting shadows around their house at different times of the day and during the four seasons. To quote her: “I walk the same route almost every day, and I can appreciate the nuances of the sunlight hitting the bark on the trees, the filtering of morning light through the leaves, the subtle changes of the seasons. I expect this awareness to last beyond the months of quarantine. The other things I have realized: My windows desperately need cleaning!” The photo I’ve included is something I noticed in my living room on Christmas Day. This shadow on the wall is exceptional because there was no sunshine coming through, but was coming in from the back of the house and being reflected back by a mirror. It shows my Christmas stick, with decorations, and the objects around it, including the lace curtains covering the window facing the street. If I had not been so quietly present, I most likely would not have seen this fleeting shadow. Wish I could relate to you more ways people have shifted perceptions; ways they hope to keep in their experience in the future!

"The sunlight glints from the church-dome, glances into the prison-cell, glides into the sick-chamber, brightens the flower, beautifies the landscape, blesses the earth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516

All iIn The Way You Carry It

 

Innocence and Experience

creations of Sandy Starbird

I am thankful for my friends. You who are the kindest, wisest, wittiest, most compassionate, most thoughtful -- you know who you are, and I am eternally grateful. Much love...

Heavy 

by Mary Oliver

"That time

I thought I could not

go any closer to grief

without dying

 

I went closer,

and I did not die.

Surely God

had His hand in this,

 

as well as friends.

Still I was bent,

and my laughter,

as the poet said,

 

was nowhere to be found.

Then said my friend Daniel

(brave even among lions),

“It is not the weight you carry

 

but how you carry it—

books, bricks, grief—

it’s all in the way

you embrace it, balance it, carry it

 

when you cannot, and would not,

put it down.”

So I went practicing.

Have you noticed?

 

Have you heard

the laughter

that comes, now and again,

out of my startled mouth?

 

How I linger

to admire, admire, admire

the things of this world

that are kind, and maybe

 

also troubled—

roses in the wind,

The sea geese on the steep waves,

a love

to which there is no reply?"

Heart Songs

 

​One thing I’ve discovered during this pandemic is that, without commercials, there are actually some good shows on television. I have fallen in love with Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. It’s the most innovative musical I’ve ever seen, with wonderful actors and fine writing. The main character’s parents are Mary Steenburgen and Peter Gallagher. At the end of the first season, the dad character dies. Having seen that event before Kevin’s passing, I didn’t have the heart/nerve to watch more. After his memorial today, I watched the next episode, which supposedly takes place six weeks after the character’s death. Watching their struggle to start living again, I realized how much I have shut down during the last four weeks. I appreciate the insights and wonderful stories I heard from Kevin’s friends all around the country during our Zoom chat today. It has helped, talking to people who loved him. In the television show I’ve referred to, Zoey hears people singing what they’re thinking. She calls them “heart songs”. It’s easy to avoid things we deem too painful to face. I’d really like to pull the covers over my head and sleep until spring. Hum — maybe just until the temperature is over zero degrees?

“Ill-arranged notes produce discord. Tones of the human mind may be different, but they should be concordant in order to blend properly. Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, — these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 58:5  

One Foot in Front of the Other

 

statues and photography by Dale Johnson

Perhaps it’s because we’ve had a frigidly cold week, with even lower temperatures to come in the next few days. Maybe it’s because we haven’t had much sunshine during these introspective days. Could be because Kevin’s been gone four weeks, it’s Valentine’s Day, and we’re having his Zoom memorial. Whatever the reason, I’m depressed. Today we had a recording session for one church and an actual service at another, and I thought about lying and saying I was sick and couldn’t do it. But I’m glad I didn’t. Sharon sang an incredibly beautiful solo and I played better than usual, and the sun even shone for a few minutes! So I’m happy I got out of the house. I’m not telling you this to cause worry or ask for help; it’s just the way it is today. I’m writing this with Tina Turner singing the Lotus Sutra in the background. Sanskrit chants will lull me to sleep tonight and I’ll wake up with 528 hertz frequencies to facilitate healing. I can’t keep from thinking this ennui is good for me; it will help me develop empathy, which Kevin often said I needed to do. Whatever the case, I know it won’t leave me where it found me. Much Love sent to all this day...

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323

 photo credit: Aaron Springston

Snowy Night by Mary Oliver

Last night, an owl

in the blue dark

tossed

an indeterminate number

of carefully shaped sounds into

the world, in which,

a quarter of a mile away, I happened

to be standing.

I couldn’t tell

which one it was –

the barred or the great-horned

ship of the air –

it was that distant. But, anyway,

aren’t there moments

that are better than knowing something,

and sweeter? Snow was falling,

so much like stars

filling the dark trees

that one could easily imagine

its reason for being was nothing more

than prettiness. I suppose

if this were someone else’s story

they would have insisted on knowing

whatever is knowable – would have hurried

over the fields

to name it – the owl, I mean.

But it’s mine, this poem of the night,

and I just stood there, listening and holding out

my hands to the soft glitter

falling through the air. I love this world,

but not for its answers.

And I wish good luck to the owl,

whatever its name –

and I wish great welcome to the snow,

whatever its severe and comfortless

and beautiful meaning.

Wrong-Mindedness or ...

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Every moment of our lives have been spent getting us to the point at which we are now. I know some folks who want to hold on to their past, and others who wish they could change their past, then there are those who have grown through experiences and continue this expansion of thought. I am wondering why some people seem to feed on turmoil and drama, creating it to keep themselves upset -- or perhaps amused. Hum, it would never occur to me to be entertained by anger and other base elements of human behavior, but it seems some want to be in the middle of heated battle or else they are -- they are what? Bored, I think. Maybe it's something else. I know a young woman who is trying to create difficulty for herself and another family member. Perhaps what I'm witnessing is an exhibition of low self esteem, which she hopes to boost through righteous indignation and belittling of others. Or maybe I'm misinterpreting the whole situation. So in the desire to not create a competing drama, I'll just watch and see what transpires, knowing only good can come of this. Namasté ...

"Wrong-mindedness listens to the ego and makes illusions; perceiving sin and justifying anger, and seeing guilt, disease and death as real. Both this world and the real world are illusions because right-mindedness merely overlooks, or forgives, what never happened. Therefore it is not the One-mindedness of the Christ Mind, Whose Will is one with God's." A Course in Miracles - Clarification of Terms 

Sharing Good News

 

photo of the day from The Christian Science Monitor

​Today my entire news intake was from the Christian Science Monitor -- and I feel great! The first in-depth article I read was about the workings of a 50/50 Senate. Next came a story about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the country's wishes that they become peacekeepers, rather than a policing agency. Then I read about something I had not considered: what happens when a high school social studies teacher is part of the crowd which stormed the Capitol on January 6? And what if it was a teacher who marched for #BlackLivesMatter? Who gets to decide which teacher should be fired and which stays? It should be an easy matter of determining who was exercising their right of freedom of speech and who was doing so in a detrimental manner to humanity. But it's not always simple, so we need a fair witness to decide these things -- an honest judge, a non-racist school board -- people who will look at law and facts objectively and provide a fair ruling. Up next was an article about South African women who make saving money a 'social pact'. They realized it's more expensive to be poor, so they create groups which do everything from buying food in bulk to purchasing housing. As one woman said: "Alone, you have all these barriers, but when you pool your money, they begin to fall down." Strength, unity, trust -- yippee! I just realized if I described every informative, fun topic I read today, this would be far too long. So I'll stop. Cheers to finding facts without fear!

"In the sacred sanctuary of Truth are voices of solemn import, but we heed them not. It is only when the so-called pleasures and pains of sense pass away in our lives, that we find unquestionable signs of the burial of error and the resurrection to spiritual life." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 232

Let It Be

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I once heard it said that a person will be more disappointed about things they did NOT do than things they did do. My hope for humankind is that we stop beating ourselves up about past things, whether we did them or not. Replacing disappointments with forgiveness, we can experience peace. Whatever we have done, it’s okay. As I’ve quoted previously, It’s what we do in the present which redeems the past and changes the future. The present, right now: It’s what we’re doing right here and now which brings redemption and peace. I’ve looked at my life with an eye to regrets. Of course, there are many times of wondering what might have been, had different turns in the road been taken -- but overall I have no disappointments about choices. I like my life: yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Smiley-face emoticon)

“If Life has any starting point whatsoever, then the great I Am is a myth. If Life is God, as the scriptures imply, then Life is not embryonic, it is infinite. An egg is an impossible enclosure for Deity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 550:20

Love Out Loud

 

Kevin and granddaughter

Kevin has a son, two stepsons, a stepdaughter -- and a daughter whom he has never met in person. I had spoken with his stepdaughter in California/Oregon before his passing, and we became friends. They thought of each other as father/daughter. In the past two weeks, all these children have been in contact with me. What a diverse group of young people they are! I have enjoyed talking to his first serious high school girlfriend, who was a foreign exchange student from Mexico. His first wife, the mother of his son, has been kind and I’ve enjoyed our chats. There is a common thread running through all these communications: we all loved Kevin very much. There will be a Zoom memorial with old and new friends, family, anyone who wants to honor the fine man he is. If anyone would like to join, let me know and I’ll give you a link. I look forward to hearing more stories and connecting the dots between places he lived and jobs he had. Life is such an adventure! Don’t forget to express your heartfelt feelings to your loved ones, especially if you haven’t done that in a few years. Don’t be afraid to love out loud!

“Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sign over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:22

Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In

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Today a friend mentioned she was watching a movie and thinking, “those people should have their masks on!” — before remembering it was a movie from years ago. Thinking about this, I realize how quickly we become conditioned to any kind of behavior, such as mask wearing. Perhaps because of my thought in this vein, I choose a movie to watch during the Super Bowl called “Bombshell”, which is the true story of three beautiful women who were newscasters on Fox News and sued Roger Ailes for sexual harassment, starting the #MeToo movement. Roger Ailes was the head of this production, which (among other things) instructed their employees to look for stories which would “scare your grandmother and piss-off your grandfather”. And we fell for it. We allowed ourselves to be conditioned into thinking it’s normal to demonize those who do not agree with us. We are all guilty of this to some extent, don’t you think? Acknowledging problems is the first step in finding solutions to them, and we’re on our way to doing this. Let’s work to keep an open mind and heart, listening rather than reacting, and seeing truth rather than belief.

"In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323

Friendship

 Kahlil Gibran on Friendship

​"​Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.​"

Comfort and Joy

 ​

Every Christmas season, I put cards from friends on the inside of my front door. This year, I had not taken them down until yesterday, when I replaced them with cards of support from friends following Kevin’s death. I love looking at them as much as I did the holiday cards -- probably more, as opening one now and again brings a smile and a certain connection with the person whose handwriting presents itself. I had started contacting people by snail mail earlier in the year, and I vow to continue into the future! It’s truly a unifying activity, don’t you think? 

"PSALM XXIII [Divine love] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Love] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [love] leadeth me beside the still waters. [Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [love] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [love] is with me; [love’s] rod and [love’s] staff they comfort me.

[Love] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [love] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [love] for ever." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 577:4-18

Intuitions

 

art by Judith Griffith

Listening to intuition is a learned behavior. When I’m drawn to something, I tend to yield, knowing there must be a reason. When looking for a movie to watch, an old Nick Nolte film called “Affliction” asked for my attention, so I gave it. The bottom line was an examination of a man who had been severely terrorized by his dad when he was a child. These past four years have caused me to closely look at what is known as the pain body. The pain we experience in our lives, the pain which is not faced and honored and released, stays with us. It may erupt at the slightest provocation and is the cause for many uncomfortable holiday gatherings. After watching this movie and pondering its implications, up popped the old tv series, Friday Night Lights. Another painful phenomenon is addressed here: high school football. I have heard stories of shame, abuse, ignored concussions, heat strokes, and foolish adoration heaped on star players. These videos have helped me understand a few things. There is much to consider here.

"Angels: God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 481:4

A Thought That Came to Pass

photo credit: Aaron Springston

 A few days ago, I mentioned my friend, Pat, had given me a beautifully wrapped gift. I finally opened it! It is “Awakening Osiris - The Egyptian Book of the Dead. It is a beautiful book and I could quote many things here, but these are the words which jumped out at me: “I am a thought that came to pass. Long believed, I live forever. I am words repeated often. I am a happy man. I am a blessed man. I am a perfecting man. I am love and shall endure forever. I am a thankful man, a man of peace, poetry, dream. I am a well-fed man. I am a dancing man beloved of gods. I am an old man who has lived long. I am heading home.” Thank you everyone, for the blessings you have brought to the world. I am grateful.

"Immortal and divine Mind presents the idea of God: first, in light; second, in reflection; third, in spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness. But this Mind creates no element nor symbol of discord and decay. God creates neither erring thought, mortal life, mutable truth, nor variable love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 503:20-25

Gentle Beam of Living Love

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photo credit: Aaron Springston

The steps of grief are slippery, are they not? Today I got Kevin's ashes back from the crematorium. The emotions I felt were surprising. When the delivery man came to the door, I had a very possessive reaction, grabbing the box and holding it close; almost saying "get your hands off of him". After sitting quietly with these feelings for a bit, I started to wonder how I could be sure it was him. Heck, this could be a cow's bones for all I know! After thinking weird things like this for a while, I settled back into my sensibilities, reminding myself it doesn't really make any difference if it's actually his remains or someone else's. There is nothing there but some inert matter, and where he lives is in Love, which is evidenced everywhere I look. While it's tempting to keep the things he loved, I have given away his telescope to dear friends who will look at the night sky as gleefully as he did. Just as Kevin enjoyed Ken Starbird's tools which Sandy gave him, someone will think of him when they use his weed eater or look at the moon through his favorite lens. He's smiling with me at that thought...

"Thou gentle beam of living Love,

     And deathless Life!

Truth infinite -- so far above

     All mortal strife..."

from the poem Christmas Morn by Mary Baker Eddy

Exponential Thanksgiving

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photo credit: Datura Böes

Today I express gratitude for the circumstances which caused me to retire from the art sales business in 2015. If I had continued with Eureka Thyme, I would not be playing organ/piano for three congregations in town. If I hadn't accompanied choirs, I would not have discovered there was a local duplicate bridge game. If I had continued running my gallery, I would never have had time to meet Kevin. When we reconnected through Facebook, we spent a year-and-a-half getting to know each other by way of telephone conversations and writing. I am reminded of these things because today I heard an interview with Tony Bennett's wife. He has been dealing with Alzheimer's since 2016.  A number of things were mentioned which we should do to keep our brains active: social interactions, music, and mind games were three which caught my attention. I play bridge -- a lot. Our weekly foursome recently added a conference call during our online game, so it's like being together at a table, but we don't have to go anywhere! While bridge isn't everyone's cup of tea, there are many other stimulating things we can do. We can sing and dance, by ourselves or with our housemates. Reading out loud is second only to playing music, so they say. Kevin enjoyed playing his drum along with youtube videos. It seemed like a party to him! But the point of today's writing is gratitude. I think it's exponential! 

"Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3

I Carry Your Hearts...

Today has seemed difficult to maneuver without tears, perhaps due to lack of sleep. So I'm not writing this evening, but sending you a beautiful poem shared by snail mail, and a photo which sweet Lee sent to me of last night's sky. Thank you all for the thoughts and kindnesses...

photo credit: Lee Harvill

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

BY E. E. CUMMINGS

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

                                                      i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Sky Of Many Colors

 

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

When I got home from church duties today, it was nearing sundown. The sky was every color imaginable. The grays rolling across the blue and pink and orange, highlighted by blackness here and there, with even a few flashes of distant lightning. Then there were big fluffy golden-glowing clouds, defying description. The wind was blowing enough that the vultures were floating around on the currents, playing their before-sleep games while entertaining all who enjoy watching them, not minding who loves them or despises them. The dogs and cats watched the birds, who happily played chase with each other, or perhaps the game was Simon Says. It’s truly a glorious time to be sitting on the front porch! As John Cougar Mellencamp says: “Life goes on, long after the thrill of livin’ is gone.” This life is a thrill! Which reminds me of something I've told before: Life is like a roller coaster. Some people find it scary and stressful; others think it's exciting and fun. It's all how we look at it, don't you think?

"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