Vote, Vote, Vote!!

I watched the Democratic debate Thursday night — or at least some of it. One thing rang true: all the candidates want what’s best for the people of our country and the people of every country. They care about people, they care about the earth and what needs to be done to save it; they care about helping us help ourselves. They care. Our current government situation is dire. I see no reason to go into specifics in this short writing. We all know the problems. I truly believe many of the candidates running for the Democratic nomination would be a great president, and I know that any of them can win the election if one thing happens: We all get out there and VOTE! How many of your friends don’t vote? I have been shocked to find out about two dear friends who believe their vote makes no difference and it isn’t worth the effort for them to vote. I ask you to join with me to help the non-voters see why it is so incredibly important. Explain to them that a special election was held this week in North Carolina and the decision was made by around 35% of the registered voters. There were less than 4,000 votes between the winner and the loser. Tell your friends: Vote in your school board elections, vote for city council candidates, vote for your representatives and senators, vote in the primaries, vote in the presidential elections — just vote! It’s fun!! 

"I am asked, 'What are your politics?' I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself." Mary Baker Eddy.

Remembering...

Today we remember a day none of us can forget. At the time the tragedy happened on 9/11/01, I remember thinking it was the perfect opportunity for the world to come together to demand peace; to stand up to abject terror and just say “NO”. But that didn’t happen. People became frightened and all sorts of laws were enacted to supposedly protect us. The fear we have fostered has blossomed into terror. We have believed lies, such as thinking it’s true that thousands of people were watching and cheering as the towers fell. We have allowed ourselves to be afraid of anyone with dark skin or certain clothing. Our children are afraid in schools, our adults go to church with guns, none of us are trusted to get on an airplane without being suspected of malicious intent. This is not what I want to remember on this day. I’d like to rewind the clock and go forward from that time, as one human race, insisting that violent terrorism will not be tolerated, embracing each other as members of one tribe, Earth, just as loving and trusting as the day we were born. Namaste...

"The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. " Mary Baker Eddy

Hope

Tonight I went to the Carroll County Democrats quarterly meeting. It’s always nice to hear ideas and see old friends, but tonight was particularly enjoyable as there were two university students there to speak to us. They gave us hope with their enthusiasm, for sure! I loved how the young man told us that everything we do is political, and so when we encounter folks who righteously say “I’m not political”, that’s simply not true. I agree wholeheartedly! Every time we shop at a farmers’ market, we make a political statement: real people over corporations. When we choose to give up using plastic whenever possible, we make a statement in favor of our Earth. When we choose Love over hate, we find peace and give it. Tonight’s young speaker also mentioned this, saying that whatever we do in campaigning for our favorite candidates must be done with love to be effective. Agreed! — and Namaste.

"'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." Mary Baker Eddy 

Decisions

"Hobbs State Park"
photo by Gerry Toler

Have you ever noticed that once you think you have something figured out, it turns out you don’t? Usually I don’t worry about making decisions because I’ve learned that trusting intuition is the way to go, rather than making lists of pros and cons and becoming anxious about what is the right thing to do. Lately, I’ve come up against something where nothing feels right. I keep thinking I’d rather be kind than right, but it seems I can be neither. In my desire to understand what’s going on, I’ve been studying Chapter 30 in A Course in Miracles text, the part on Rules for Decision. This evening I’m holding to these words: “‘Today I will make no decisions by myself.’ This means that you are choosing not to be the judge of what to do. But it must also mean you will not judge the situations where you will be called upon to make response. For if you judge them, you have set the rules for how you should react to them. And then another answer cannot but produce confusion and uncertainty and fear.” May I not make up my mind and THEN decide to ask what to do!

Questioning Things

Not sure of origin of this...

What are your feelings when you hear someone justify their actions by stating that someone else did the same or “worse”? Do you cringe when you hear mention of woman being made from a man’s rib? Does the extreme duality of the majority of religion cause you to wonder if they know the meaning of One? When someone is feeling hurt by another’s actions, why is it so difficult to say so?   These are a few of the questions which came to my attention today. I, of course, could expound on my opinions concerning these dilemmas, but I’m trying to listen for the deeper question here. But, please, feel free to tell me what your questions are today — and if you want, I’d love to hear your answers, too!

"Comparison must be an ego device, for love makes none. Specialness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, and maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can perceive." A Course in Miracles Text, Chapter 24, The Treachery of Specialness

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