October 16, 2014 - Adventures in Now

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #289

“The past is over. It can touch me not.”

I've always been fascinated by high school class reunions. The reasons people enjoy them are as varied as the people, but it seems most are wondering who is the most successful, or has been married the longest, or has managed to look pretty. It's a perfect opportunity to think of today's topic, "The past is over. It can touch me not." In my observations of these get-togethers, we tend to revert into whatever we were umpteen years ago. The mean girls are still that way, the flirty girls are still flipping their skirts, and the cool kids are still hiding their feelings. While I've always enjoyed these observations, I tend to either wander away with an old friend or, perhaps, drink a bit too much and ask the cowboys to dance. I love this line from today's ACIM workbook lesson: "Unless the past is over in my mind, the world must escape my sight." I want to live in the present, in a world full of divine Love and Truth. Reliving illusions can be fun, much like watching a movie. But I'd rather wake up in a new world everyday, excited about the adventures it holds!

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  

October 15, 2014 - Holier Than Thou?

ACIM-Workbook Lesson #288

“Let me forget my brother's past today.”

There are many situations which bring on knee-jerk reactions which I think of as  "holier-than-thou". I'm sure you have a few of them, too! If someone is rude or mean, we may feel superior in our kindness. When politicians or others in the public eye display ignorance (lack of knowledge), we can easily have a sense of self-righteous judgment. These situations remind me that we are all One and no one is more special or learned or enlightened than another. It's simply a matter of what we're willing to see. I will admit I'm a food snob. There are numerous things I don't eat and it's always interesting to watch how I try to impose my beliefs on others. It is yet another example of feeling superior over a belief. Eckhart Tolle often puts things in perspective for me and he did, once again, when he was asked if we should be vegetarian. He said it was purely a personal preference, and if we had strong opinions about this we should remind ourselves that the Dalai Lama eats meat and Hitler didn't! Namaste'~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills 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 340:23:30

October 13, 2014 - Silence Leads the Way

ACIM Workbook Lesson #286

“The hush of Heaven holds my heart today.”

On this rainy morning, I am happy to reaffirm in thought that I need do nothing but listen in order for things to fall into place. I need not rush about trying to figure out how to make everything happen in its correct order. I need only know that it will, and quietly open my heart to know what to do in order to facilitate each happening. As I've already been to a board meeting of our Chamber of Commerce, and have been told that my landlords are examining my business building to see if there are things which need fixing -- well, both of these events have brought to mind a multitude of tasks which need to be done. So I am taking a few moments to sit quietly, asking only that my awareness will be filled with the hush of heaven wherein all answers are waiting.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also Christ."

Science & Health Page 467:13-16

October 14, 2014 - One Goal

"Basin Spring Fantasy" photo by Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #287

“You are my goal, my Father. Only You.”

In the early 1900s, people flocked to Eureka Springs for the healing waters. Thousands of people in need found their way here, as they still do today. People are drawn to our town, often without knowing why. I love watching transformation of circumstance as people's thought changes from focusing on the problem to relaxing into Truth. In varying degrees, we are all realizing that true healing comes when we release our beliefs in things and open ourselves to feeling the presence of Love. When this is our only desire, when there is no other need or want, new perceptions become visible and viable. Often it takes extreme conditions to cause us to seek the understanding of our unity with God. But isn't it sweet when we skip that step and fall straight into the Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All nature teaches God's love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 326:8-11

October 12, 2014 - Scatter Joy

ACIMWorkbook Lesson #285

“My holiness shines bright and clear today.”

I have a friend who visits our town once a year with the intent of experiencing joy in every activity. He lives in Los Angeles and often tells me how much more fun our town is than his big city. I'm sure this is a matter of perception, but he brings something unusual with him when he comes to our town: pink nylon gowns and robes. He enjoys wearing these items and wanted to do so in public. After checking around on the internet, he found that Eureka Springs, Arkansas is one of the most accepting places in the country and so he visits us and enjoys expressing himself in a unique way. Although I don't know him in his natural habitat (so to speak!), I know he wakes up every day in our town expecting nothing but happy things and joy. And he receives them! Here's to everyone who is willing to live and love and allow themselves to express joy in whatever manner they are led to do so!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives. Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love—the kingdom of heaven—reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear”

Science & Health Page 248:25-32

October 11, 2014 - Upper-Case Living!

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #284

“I can elect to change all thoughts that hurt.”

Today I pay tribute to all of you who practice Upper-Case LIving! If you're been reading these writings for a while, you may remember that a dear friend of mine wrote an essay by this title years ago. In that writing, he inspired me to think of living as Living, loving as Loving, and to examine each and every activity to see if I'm taking it to the level of upper case-ness. Every day I witness people living Life, feeling Love, helping others to see Truth, and leading grand and noble lives. Every time we leave pain behind, looking past the illusion of ugliness and grasping beauty, we are experiencing Upper-Case Living! When we refuse to repeat gossip or anything unlike Good, we are raising the bar for everyone! What we experience, everyone experiences, by virtue of the One consciousness which we share. Give yourself a pat on the back and be proud of your accomplishments!  Mazel Tov! Namaste! Woo-hoo!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“It is self-evident that we are harmonious only as we cease to manifest evil or the belief that we suffer from the sins of others. Disbelief in error destroys error, and leads to the discernment of Truth”

Science & Health Page 346: 13-16

October 10, 2014 - True Identify

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #283

“My true Identity abides in You.”

A few days ago, I mentioned an incident where a neighbor was taken to the hospital and her daughter admonished me for not visiting and/or checking up on her mother more often. Looking back on the incident, listening to intuition, and examining my motives, I am feeling freedom in all aspects of the situation. And I've found a good deal of humor looking back on it -- mainly because of what I was wearing! I had just gotten out of the shower and had a pink towel wrapped around my head -- and to set the outfit off in style, I had unthinkingly picked up a pair of pink sunglasses on my way out the door. Ha! Can you imagine? And so I laugh right now as I recreate the the scene in my mind. I have no guilt over my actions, and I will continue to listen to know my true Identity as a reflection of  

God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human thought never projected the least portion of true being. Human belief has sought and interpreted in its own way the echo of Spirit, and so seems to have reversed it and repeated it materially; but the human mind never produced a real tone nor sent forth a positive sound.”

Science & Health Page 126:8-14