March 24, 2015 - Forgiveness Equals Happiness

"The Junes"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #83

Review: “My only function is the one God gave me.” and “My happiness and my function are one.”

My function is to forgive, and through that function I am happy. Often we look forward to events and are disappointed if those plans do not come to fruition. I am schedules to have a fitting for my new prosthetic device today, but yesterday I fell down while filling the bird feeder and my leg is too swollen to go forward with the fitting. I am disappointed. But today is supposed to be a warm, sunny day and I am looking forward to the car trip as much as anything. So I will go forward with happiness, enjoying the company of my friend who is driving. We will take my Chili Dog along with us and have a nice lunch somewhere. I often refer to pointless car trips as "joy riding". So I will forgive myself for not paying attention and tipping over, and we will go forward with a joy-filled day, being happy all the way!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Page 106:7-10

March 23, 2015 - At Peace With Life

Ozark Night
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #82

Review: “The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness” and “Let me not forget my function.”

Years ago, I knew a young man who was diagnosed with inoperable colon cancer. In the two or three months he had to live, he and his family never talked with each other about his condition. It was the oddest thing, but everyone pretended he was getting well until the day he passed on. Recently a sweet woman I know has been told she has a brain tumor and doesn't have long left with us. She is at peace with the situation and is attempting to experience every moment of joy and love that is possible. Unfortunately, her only child has been unable to face what's happening and has not been visiting her. Finally, today he did. What a blessing to everyone involved! By facing life's situations, even when they are interpreted as death, we give ourselves the opportunity to discover something far deeper than the mindless chatter we may have been using to fill up time and space. Every time I reach out to a person in need, I am remembering my function of allowing the light to bring peace to every situation. I pray to not be afraid of anything that presents itself, as I use this as an opportunity to fulfill my function.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.” Science & Health Page 469:5-6

March 22, 2015 - What is My Function?

Photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM  Workbook Lesson #81

Review: "I am the light of the world" and "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

I made a mistake. I never, ever post political things to my Facebook page. There was a post someone else had made about an unloving point of view one of Arkansas’s elected officials had voiced, and I was so astounded that I “shared” it without thinking of the consequences. Almost immediately, others began to share their thoughts. Then a distant cousin of mine wrote that he would vote for this politician for president because he was better than who we had — and he gave reasons why he thought so. I read it. Then my thought was inflamed with things I wanted to say to my dear relative. Actually, my first thought toward him was very rude — rude enough that I shan’t quote it here. Without hesitation, I deleted the entire post from my page. I’ve said before that I try not to have strong opinions because it closes my mind to anything else. By the same token, I do not serve my function as a reflection of Love if I post unlovely things about others — even if I deem their words to be ignorant and inappropriate. Especially so!! What is my function? To shine the light of forgiveness within. Namastè.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Science & Health Page 15:26-27

March 21, 2015 - No Problem!

photo by Jim Young

ACIM Workbook Lesson #80

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

Yesterday we were told that our only problem is thinking we are separate from God. The understanding that it is impossible to be separated from our source solves that problem. 

The realization that our problem never existed in any way other than belief may seem ridiculous. Most of us can come up with a long list of what we consider to be our problems, and they all seem very real and troublesome. Once again, I am reminded of Don Miguel Ruiz's interpretation of ancient Toltec wisdom as he puts forth in "The Four Agreements". When he asks us to not take anything personally, he gives a rather startling example. He tells us that even if someone shoots you in the head, not to take it personally, because it's not your problem, it's theirs! Although this seems like an extreme example, there are many things we take so personally that we cannot forgive and release them. Next time I jump onto my "high horse" about something, I will remind myself that I am seeing someone as separated from their Oneness source and ask myself how this could be possible.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal."

Science & Health Page 304:9-15

March 20, 2015 - What's the Problem?

Unknown Photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #79

"Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved."

Are you a list maker? If you have a list of problems which need to be solved, it should be a relief to know there is only one problem and only one solution! If you watch or listen to news and feel overwhelmed by the problems of the world, it is a welcome respite to realize there is only one solution, and that solution is shown through a recognition of the problem. Actually, there is no need to think about a solution, you only need recognize that there is but one problem -- and that realization is, in itself, the solution. Every problem which seems to exist is the result of one thing: a belief in separation from God. I remember a friend had a poster in her office reminding the people who came in that the only reason she wanted to know their problem was as an identifier; after that, she only wanted to hear about solutions. Wayne Dyer wrote a whole book about it: There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem. The problem is that I believe I have separated from Source. The solution lies in that recognition!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Science & Health Page 556:25-30

March 19, 2015 - Choose the Miracle

"St. Patrick's Parade in Eureka Springs"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #78

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

I'm so happy to see today's topic which asks me to choose one person and see them as God sees them, with pure eyes, rather than with all the muddled grievances I may be holding. A few days ago, I had a brief conversation with a woman which I found to be so distasteful that I nearly told her so! After we parted, I kept thinking of things I could have said to her -- none of which were coming from Love. The conversation recurred in thought until I realized what I was doing -- replaying the past and practicing what I could say to her in the future. Yikes! It was pretty clear I was choosing a grievance over a miracle. "Each grievance stands like a dark shield of hate before the miracle it would conceal." (ACIM Workbook Lesson #78) So although the conversation is still popping up in thought -- or else I wouldn't be writing about it! -- I now tell it that it isn't important, it's not my problem unless I choose to hold onto it. The miracle of forgiveness which is showing itself by this practice will shine forth when I clear the way. How do I love? Let me count the ways!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"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 sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Science & Health Page 57:22-30

March 18, 2015 - Softly Changing Beliefs

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #77

"I am entitled to miracles."

I'm beginning to see the difference in changing my mind and releasing beliefs. If I change my mind about something, I'm more than likely exchanging one belief for another. I have always had a prejudice against the word "miracle". In Christian Science, I learned there are no such things because what we think of as miracles are simply the way that things ought to be. It is implied in material interpretations that a miracle sets aside a physical law and that this is done by a special compensation from God. But in divine metaphysics, it is the laws of Spirit which have been set aside by our material beliefs. So I am most delighted to see that slowly but surely I am releasing my material beliefs about this word -- and many other things! I'm not changing my mind about this, but letting go of my long-held beliefs about the definition of the word. Every day, fewer and fewer things cause me to cringe. It doesn't matter if it's a political opinion, a person's actions, or my understanding of what something means, I'm becoming softer, and it feels really good. I'm ready to accept all the goodness, no matter what it's named!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"A miracle fulfills God's law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself."

Science & Health Page 134:31-32