The Circle's Not Broken

Ozark Folk Fair 1973​

In 1973, I was almost 20 years old and a student at the University of Arkansas. There was an outdoor music festival in Eureka Springs which was attended by around 100,000 people. I was one of those folks who spent the weekend in the rain and mud -- and it was wonderful! It was the first time I saw The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and I was hooked on bluegrass and soft rock the rest of my life. Tonight, 53 years after this band started playing as a group, they were again here in Eureka Springs and they were, perhaps, better than they had been 47 years ago when they were last in our town. Wow!! A series of recordings they are famous for are called Will The Circle Be Unbroken (1, 2, and 3). The unbroken circle I saw demonstrated in The Aud tonight was life affirming and inspirational. The humanity of 900+ people enjoying a group with deep roots brought tears and laughter more than once this evening. Let's all take a moment and notice our own circles and celebrate them! I am so thankful for all of mine...

​"​Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, but not the boundary, of the affections.​" Mary Baker Eddy​

Keep on Keeping On

Aaron and Mom at wedding

Since last Sunday, I’ve been pondering Pastor Blake Lasater’s question concerning how we spend our time, money, thoughts. It seems there are too many good causes I want to help advance. Some of these activities are beyond my physical capabilities at this time; others, I would need cash to help — i.e., Heifer International. But sometimes I find things which are a perfect fit. For instance, I can help our humane society, and farmers’ market, and a few spiritual and environmental focuses, by helping them reach others by way of social media. Or for political causes, I can write letters to the editor, call senators and representatives, and entreat others to do the physical work I cannot. Even if we feel helpless, let’s never lose hope. A simple word to a person can make all the difference — and we may never know it did. As you see from the accompanying photo at my son's wedding, I'll do whatever I can -- and you can, too!! 

"This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace." Mary Baker Eddy

One From Many

2018 Celebration Choir

This evening, we began rehearsals with the Celebration Choir for a holiday concert in December. It is based around what is known as The Nine Lessons. The lessons I have learned from accompanying this choir are many, but I'm thinking now of how 40 people can come together as individuals and end up as one. The lessons in unity I've learned from this choir have changed my life. Yes, we are all individual expressions of Creation, but we are the same because of that Source. We share with all things living one force which flows through everything. This energy can be directed in many paths, but when we allow ourselves to be guided by our inner knowing (intuition, if you will), unexpectedly beautiful things happen. I am most grateful to everyone who teaches me these lessons on a daily basis. Many have paved the way for us and I am thankful for the books which help us see more deeply. Namaste dear Friends!

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." Mary Baker Eddy 

Staying in the Moment

Kevin has a dog named Jeter who occasionally has seizures. He has found that keeping himself and the dog calm facilitates an easy passage back to the happy dog mode. It’s a lovely thing to witness their bond, the trust the dog has for him, and the love Kevin has for this dog. Watching them I see how important it is to remain solidly in the moment, not worrying about the what-if possibilities, and not thinking about what has occurred in past similar circumstance. Animals teach us lessons every day, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by them!

"When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts." Mary Baker Eddy

We're All in This Together

What blesses one, blesses all. For instance when I first opened an art gallery in Eureka Springs, I was told the other galleries would try to run me out. This made no sense to me, as our village thinks of itself as an art destination, and in my mind that means more than two or three galleries. For instance, when our first winery opened a few years back, the owners stated there needed to be five wineries in the area for visitors interested in wine to think of this as a wine destination. Yes! For the past two decades, I’ve watched people hold onto what they have without seeing how embracing their neighbor could multiply their good. Fresh food markets have requested that roadside markets be moved so they will not have competition; other enterprises don’t understand why they should have anything on their social media page which doesn’t directly relate to them. I can’t help but think of how sellers of similar items can work together to draw more people to both businesses. And I question why farmers’ markets don’t join with animal shelters and other cool causes to cross promote. It seems we think if someone else has sunshine, there will be less for us. I’ve not noticed it works that way!

“To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings.” Mary Baker Eddy

Cultural Crisis

I have been a fan of Marianne Williamson since I first read A Return to Love in the 90s. I would buy copies in thrift shops to keep on hand and pass out to anyone who was sad or confused. Today, in this time of national turmoil, she is running for our highest elected office and is not afraid to speak of the need for a moral and spiritual awakening. Today, in the Washington Post, she has a powerful article concerning the recurring nightmare of gun violence. She speaks to ways our society is violent, including environmental policies which are violent toward the Earth, our economic system which is violent to the poor, and entertainment media and its violence towards people. She goes on to list our criminal justice system’s violence toward people of color, video games violent effect on our minds, the military being violent when it doesn’t have to be, the violence of our mass media in shaming and blaming for the sake of a better click rate. Finally, our hearts are violent when we abandon each other. Yes, our country is ruled by organizations and corporations which promote shameless capitalism, but our personal lives are permeated by violence to which we seem to be addicted. I’ll be examining my life to see where I’m allowing anything unlike Love to live. Join me! (And if you want to read the entire Marianne article which I referenced, here’s the link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/09/02/marianne-williamson-us-needs-department-peace/?arc404=true 

Ho'oponopono

Ho'oponopono

I play the organ for our sweet Methodist church here in Eureka Springs. Today’s sermon began by asking us a question: What are you spending your time on, your money, your thoughts? There have been times in my past when I’ve squandered my time with foolish activities, my money on pointless, harmful substances, my thoughts in circular worries and accusations. Occasionally I find myself falling back into judgmental ways of blame, and I don’t like it! When I do this, I’ve discovered a fine way to counter these feelings:  Ho’oponopono. It seems far-fetched to think the repetition of four phrases could make a difference to anyone, but I have seen a yielding of differences occur where it seemed impossible. It gets back to what we all know: to change the world, change ourselves. When we meditate on “I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Thank You”, calm overcomes our turmoil. By not pointing a finger at someone else as the cause, we are realizing the completeness of our being. Whether we think of this as being the change we want to see, or loving our enemies — well, actually the best thing is not to think of it at all, but to simply let it permeate you. There’s a lovely story about how Dr. Ihaleakala Hew Len allowed this simple process to heal an institution full of diagnosed criminally insane folks. Check it out if you’re so inclined!

“Hold thought to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring them into your life proportionately to their occupancy of your thoughts.” Mary Baker Eddy