Living Love

PC: Aaron Springston

Cynicism hides the light of the world very effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity.  During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. We know that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted, and fear can never be as powerful as Love. More people every day are waking up to the truth of their being, living the salvation of this realization, and not allowing anything to hide that light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

"The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 561:1-4

Trust

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Trust seems to be a national issue right now. The things we have learned to trust suddenly feel frightening — i.e., policemen, politicians, preachers. Sometimes we have a tough time trusting our friends and loved ones. I know people who speak in derogatory terms about their children and their spouses. What is this thing we think of as trust? Does it truly originate in someone else, or does it come from within ourselves? Perhaps we don’t trust others because we don’t trust ourselves, or do we not trust ourselves because we don’t trust others? It all seems terribly complicated. I’m questioning, within myself, what it means, where it starts, where it ends. Perhaps it’s like love, and there is no beginning nor end, although there certainly seems to be a finite amount to go around. I suppose I’m looking at this from a material view and I should practice what I preach, looking beyond human feelings and fears into the infinite realm of Love. Okay, I think I’ve convinced myself…

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-12 

It's All How You Look at It

from of my gallery the day I wrote
this years ago

[another memory from years gone by]

Last evening, there was a reception in my gallery, Eureka Thyme, for people who are in town for a meeting of the Arkansas Keep America Beautiful group. My temptation was to be embarrassed by the large and ugly hole in front of the gallery. There are orange cones, sandbags, black plastic filled with last week's rain, and a general air of destruction. But as I've chosen to see drawing attention to my gallery as free advertising, I also chose to look past the war-zone look of it all to the pure goodness reflected by everyone involved. Interestingly, not a single one of the party attendees said anything about the mess, but only complimented us on our beautiful town, the great gallery space, and the wonderful food provided for them. The Light being expressed by the people I met at this event was palpable! One woman, with whom I felt an immediate affinity, was not only the leader of her local beautification program but had spearheaded an unusual art show. The Arkansas State Hospital is committed to the treatment of mental illness. This woman inaugurated an art show featuring works from the patients. She said most of the people there had nothing but the clothes on their back when they came to the facility. This amazing art show and sale is benefiting them in many ways. Not just by increasing self-esteem, but putting some cash back for them upon their release. She said this has helped them to want to get better, as many stay all their life for fear of returning to the "real world". How inspiring it is to meet people who are following inner guidance in the bringing of light to the world! Today I vow to listen deeply and follow through on what I hear!

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 90:24-32

Peaceful Memories of Yesteryear

We've invented a cocoon called Eureka Thyme. We are invisible to people who wouldn't appreciate us, we're invisible to anyone who wants to talk coffee-shop banter about politics and how the world is doomed, we are invisible to fans of gossip -- it's delightful! We just don't hear such things in the gallery, and on the rare occasions we do, I've found ways to lead people back to paths of peace. This is not to say our world is always spent in quiet contemplation. Everything in the gallery reflects the Love with which it was made, and that shows forth in an atmosphere which glows with this Love. And it's also joyous! We have artist shows, author events, celebrations for every reason imaginable. I tell you these things to illustrate that we needn't allow inharmony to permeate our world. Peace and love are the realities of spiritual creation. When disharmonious materialism raises its voice, we refute it, with Love.

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 261:4-7

How Many More Books Do You Expect to Read?

PC: Aaron Springston

My book club met tonight, and I was the hostess. I had not read the book. As is our custom, we went around the room and everyone told what they thought of the month’s read. I stated that I was being selfish and I had not read the book, because if a read did not leave me at a better place than when I started, I’m not interested in spending time with it. Actually, this “it” is not only books, but everything in life. Perhaps I’m feeling my so-called mortality, or maybe I am being small-minded. Whatever the case, I do look at every moment of every day and ponder how I can help situations, or bring others out of pain. I’m currently reading Pema Chodron’s book “Getting Unstuck”.  It is helping me understand that many situations in this life are “sticky”. This, to me, is worth further examination. I don’t feel bad about not reading something which can help me understand the horrors of prejudice. I already understand that. I want to learn more about helping people leave behind the beliefs which keep them stuck in a life which does not serve them or anyone else. Namastè.

“Ideas of Truth alone are reflected in the myriad manifestations of Life, and thus it is seen that man springs solely from Mind. The belief that matter supports life would make Life, or God, mortal.” Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 543: 25-30

I Shall Be Released

PC: Gerry Toler

A number of people whom I know seem to be incapable of making a decision. They often need confirmation that their beliefs about a situation are worthy of them, and so they wait for someone else to tell them they think that way, too, and then they can give their opinion. This need for validation is not a rare condition. I believe I may have suffered from it at points in my life. The tools we have at our disposal from the study and practice of divine metaphysics tend to let us walk past the temptation to feel so self-important that we're afraid to be wrong. While it's usually thought of as low self-esteem which causes this, it seems to me that it's valuing your own forever-believed image of yourself over your true image as the likeness of God. Releasing many long-practiced ways of life facilitates our recognition of this, and with this peaceful recognition we are freed. This spiritual sense allows us to speak without fear. I love listening to divine Mind rather than chasing in circles with mortal mind! It's more interesting, it frees me from worry and doubt, it leads me in fascinating paths, it teaches peace. 

"Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 273:4-9

Whole-i-ness Expressed

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. What a lovely world it is when we love ourselves more, and then let that love flow out to our neighbors. When we honor ourselves as reflections of Love, we are able to do no harm to others, because we wouldn't do it unto ourselves. Our purpose is to see this ever-present truth in everything. When I am interacting with someone who is living in fear, someone who turns every situation into a threat, I will turn it around in my thought by seeing the situation through differently. This allows me to release any thoughts of trying to change their attitude, any words of correction, all attack thoughts of any kind. I will live with Love and express it with words and actions as I move through this day, knowing that whole-i-ness expressed is my only purpose.

"We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:25-29