August 3, 2014 - Releasing the Future

"In-The-Moment Squirrels"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #215

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #195 "Love is the way I walk in gratitude."

Today's review tells us to release the future: What does that mean? We've learned that we must release the past in order to live in the present. "Those who live in the past are condemned to live there alone." (Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman) But what of releasing the future? Does that mean we can't make plans and have dreams of what we'd like to do? No, of course not. It simply means that we mustn't allow those "what-if" situations to control us. If we take the future to the level of overwhelming worry, affecting our every moment in the present, then it's time to release it! I feel there is nothing wrong with thinking about the past or the future, unless it begins to be our focus and affects our every action. No fear of the future nor regret in the past places me in the now. I revel in finding out what that means!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”

Science & Health Page 224:4-7

August 2, 2014 - Empty Thought

"Eureka Thyme Window"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #214

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #194 "I place the future in the Hands of God."

I used to think that "placing the future in the hands of God" meant losing control and being an automaton of some sort. I'm coming to realize that just the opposite is true. One example of being well-served by listening is when I had the thought that a deer was going to run out into the road. I applied the brakes and sure enough, the deer dashed across the road in front of me. Another time of yielding to divine Mind had to do with the impending closure of my beautiful art gallery and all the events which occurred , allowing us to stay open and thrive. I'm so grateful to be learning how to empty thought of needless chatter, enabling spiritual sense to be heard!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied. Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us.”

Science & Health Page 201:13-15

August 1, 2014 - Seeing With New Eyes

"Deer in Lilies"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #213

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #193 “All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

Today's review is of a lesson which tells us numerous times to "Forgive, and you will see this differently." See what differently? Everything! Seeing through the eyes of unified goodness, God, will change my outlook from one of sense perception and learned belief. No longer will I put meaning on something because that's the way I've always thought about it. Giving up how I feel about death, for instance, allows celebration of Life to replace sadness for my perceived loss. It may be a bittersweet celebration at first, but as I feel the reality of our Oneness, I can allow myself to stop missing someone, because we are never apart. If I've been missing someone because they've moved away, or gone through the change we call death, or any of the many reasons we feel separated from ones we love, we are never separated by more than the thought which caused the rift in our connection. And I learn peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us where it found us. The furnace separates the gold from the dross that the precious metal may be graven with the image of God." 

Science & Health Page 66:30-1

July 31, 2014 - Trust Your Self

"Aaron at Butterfly World"
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #212

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #192 “I have a function God would have me fill.”

Have you noticed people making major shifts in their lives? The cool thing I've observed is that these are not painful changes, but beautifully flowing shifts which seem almost effortless in their perfection. I love seeing people coming alive with the excitement of doing things which bring them happiness and deep fulfillment! Whether it's moving to another part of the globe, or starting a new career, or "retiring" and finding that life is just beginning, people are changing their focus in major ways. It's so wonderful that we're feeling free to follow our heart and move into the space of Love which fulfills our function. And how do we know what that is? Listen inwardly and Trust yourSelf!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

July 30, 2014 - We Are the Son of God

ACIM Workbook Lesson #211

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #191 “I am the holy Son of God Himself.”

It's heartbreaking to see segments of the world in turmoil because of beliefs in separation. We have insisted on separating ourselves from each other by setting up divisions such as nationality, gender, and religion. It seems to me as though it should be simple to accept our unity as an idea of divine Mind. We all have a song to sing, and we are all part of the grand symphony of Life. To rejoice in being One with everyone, to live from Love rather than fear and its imaginings, is to humbly accept the goodness we inherently are. I pray to turn away from the illusion of human differences, as I wholeheartedly accept my function as a reflection of God, seeing that image mirrored in everyone I meet.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."

Science & Health Page 340:23-29

July 28, 2014 -

ACIM Workbook Lesson #209

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #189 “I feel the Love of God within me now.”

During my lifetime, I've seen oppression of various types falling. I admit that there's still a ways to go -- but just think how far we've come! The strides I have made personally in releasing preconceived notions about people who seem different from me are huge! Recently, a man said to me that he was afraid to come to Eureka Springs. Of course, I asked him why. He said if we were having one of our "diversity" weekends he didn't want to be here. He assured me he had nothing against "gays", but he didn't want it rubbed in his face. This is a learned behavior of prejudice on his part and has nothing to do with the way he felt when he came out of the womb into this life. As we release what we have come to believe that we're supposed to think, we open the way for divine Love to guide us. Love is the liberator!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science and Health Page 225:14-22

July 29, 2014 - Put Down the Glass

"Joy in Mongolia"
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 remember a wonderful story which relates to choosing joy rather than pain.. In this story, 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 scenario is a metaphor for 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