Happiness

I see happy people! Everywhere I go, everyone I see is exuding joy. Even in places other than Eureka Springs, most people seem to be happy. Very few have dead eyes or downward sliding smiles. A sweet friend passed on a couple of days ago after a short illness. The last time I saw her was about two weeks ago. We sat on her back deck on a beautiful spring day, talking and laughing. We laughed so much her husband came out and jokingly said the neighbors were complaining and we needed to hold it down. She was genuinely happy, totally unafraid, and profoundly grateful. She knew she hadn't long to enjoy the thrill of living on this plane, and she was making the most of it. I strive to do the same, every day, all the time…

“Look away from the body into Truth and Love, the Principle of all happiness, harmony, and immortality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 261:2-3

“My happiness and my function are one.” A Course in Miracles - Lesson 66

Love One Another

Women’s marches, government shutdowns, zero-degree temperatures, 70-degree rainstorms — what an interesting week it’s been since I last wrote to you! Responding with Love is easier than many people think it to be. I made a Facebook post thanking everyone for being loving and supportive, because I see this happening in my life and the lives of those around me. But it brought out a couple of disagreements from women who feel excluded by cliques of people. On the opposite side, other woman spoke up about how they actively get involved, participating and helping others, and by those actions feel included and cared for. Looking at loving people through the eyes of others is an interesting exercise. Viewing how some interpret loving events such as peace marches can also be a different experience. Every moment is illuminating! For this, I am grateful, too. 

“‘Love one another’” (I John, iii. 23), is the most simple and profound counsel of the inspired writer. In Science we are children of God; but whatever is of material sense, or mortal, belongs not to His children, for materiality is the inverted image of spirituality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 572:7-11

Take a Stand

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We may feel alone in the desert when we speak truth to error. Perhaps we feel we're the only one when we take a stand for morality and goodness in our political system. Maybe you've been verbally attacked for telling others truth about GMOs and organic food. And what of data mining? Are we being controlled every time we get on our computer? This is the age where the CEO of Facebook tapes over the camera on his laptop in an effort to insure privacy. I mention these things because it’s very important to speak truth, to take a stand for morality, and never fear potential consequences. 

“Error is a coward before Truth. Divine Science insists that time will prove all this.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 387:4-6 

One Love

For years I was in love with love. I loved being in love and flitted from one love affair to another. When I began a serious study of divine metaphysics, the love I had always chased seemed small in comparison to divine Love. As I discovered that I am the expression of this Love, I spent quite some time separating these feelings and cordoning off the love which I had humanly craved. At some point, I realized I was increasing my feelings of separation with my definitions and restrictions on love. In thinking about it, I realized there is only one Love, and it makes no difference if I’m loving my children or my dog or a man I see as the love of my life. We can separate material love into categories, but the Love of which we are created is not variable. I am grateful for this revelation!

“One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 598:23-24

Truth Governs Reality - January 11, 2018

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend from California called to tell me his exciting news: At the age of 74, the last two yearly visits to the optometrist have shown his eyesight to be improving. He also told of discontinuing cholesterol  medication a few years back because of side effects consisting of back pain and confusion. He was surprised to find out his numbers were going down, rather than the increase his doctor had predicted. He wanted my opinion on why this was happening. I laughed and told him what I’ve noticed about him in the last five years is that he is a much more laid-back guy now, happier, less worried than when I met him. He also is gaining an understanding of metaphysics and quantum thought. I told him he needn’t worry about why, but to be grateful and continue his walk on the road of realized consciousness, being aware and joyful each step of the way. I loved hearing his story!

“Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 418:20-22

Joyful Interactions

photo credit: Aaron Springston

The Dalai Lama has such profound and beautiful messages for us! He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identity in such an unassuming and pure manner. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. I remember a DVD of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". In this DVD, he speaks to the importance of relationships based in honesty and trust. The joyfulness born of these interactions is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. The trust and honesty he speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in any way. As we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. May kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, pick up a DVD of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-14

Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

What do you think of when you hear the words, There is no death? You may be conditioned to think of someone living on in your idea of heaven, continuing in much the same way as we knew them. We find it comforting to think we will see them again, continuing our lives as before they left us. I, personally, think of the change we call death as a grand adventure. Who knows for sure what this change will bring? Some even have an idea that the afterlife is whatever you think it is: if you believe in a traditional heaven and hell, so it is; if you see everything as eternal energy, so be it. You probably have some ideas and intuitive feelings about this, too. I’ve been examining these concepts lately, and I feel comfortable with what I’m feeling. 

“When your body and your ego and your dreams are gone, you will know that you will last forever. Perhaps you think this is accomplished through death, but nothing is accomplished through death, because death is nothing. Everything is accomplished through life, and life is of the mind and in the mind. The body neither lives nor dies, because it cannot contain you who are life. A Course in Miracles - The Lessons of Love

“If the belief in death were obliterated, and the understanding obtained that there is no death, this would be a ‘tree of life,’ known by its fruits. Man should renew his energies and endeavors, and see the folly of hypocrisy, while also learning the necessity of working out his own salvation.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 426:12-16