To Speculate or Not

Unknown Origin

We live in a speculative society, don’t you think? Today a neighbor called me and said, Do you know what’s going on with the pig people? (This was in reference to the folks who had a pot-bellied pig here in town, prompting much ado until the city council finally declared them a farm animal and prohibited them.) “No”, I said, “I do not”. Whereupon she launched into a speculation of what may have happened, based on the fact there was yellow tape on the sidewalk in front of their house. And now, as I overhear Kevin listening to the Rachel Maddow show, I am again struck by the endless speculation of our species! Perhaps I simply have an under-active imagination, but I’d rather just wait and find out what has happened when the dust settles. I don’t think I have a point to this writing. If you have any thoughts about this, let me know!

“This is not a course in philosophical speculation, nor is it concerned with precise terminology. It is concerned only with Atonement, or the correction of perception. The means of the Atonement is forgiveness. The structure of ‘individual consciousness’ is essentially irrelevant because it is a concept...” A Course in Miracles

Ancient Hatred - Present Love

A beautiful thing happened on Linwood Avenue today. Two of my neighbors have been pretending the other doesn’t exist for a long time, but today they spoke and expressed sorrow to each other for their breach in friendship. As with everything, this could not have been orchestrated any better than happenstance created it. It seems my street has been riddled with ill health, depression, and misunderstanding. But most of us have kept on keeping on, being kind and helpful to each other and holding the space for Love to bridge the chasm. Any healing is cause for celebration, don’t you think? I was a court reporter for three decades and the saddest development I saw in those years was families fighting over stuff -- land, pots and pans, whatever. Any rift brought on because someone wants something someone else has — well, it’s a tragedy in my opinion. May we all witness healing in  our relationships and those around us! Celebrate with me these moments!

“The holiest of all the spots on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” A Course in Miracles 

Dreaming of My Brother's Kindness

Pow-Wow in Eureka Springs
Photo credit: Richard Quick

In today’s bridge game, my partner made two gaffs which kept us from being in 1st place. Although I don’t usually hold onto blame in such situations, he has told me how mistakes haunt him. As I reviewed our percentages on each of the 25 boards, it stood out to me that he had performed well on all other hands. This reminded me of the times I hold onto an assumed mistake rather than glorying in loving words and actions! How often have I replayed in my mind unkindnesses which have been taken personally? And how often do I replay sweet, compassionate actions which bring us all to a higher level of living? My goal shall be to stop any mindless reiterations, and bounce back to the ruling majority of goodness!

“Dream of your brother’s kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes. Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave. Forgive him his illusions, and give thanks to him for all the helpfulness he gave. And do not brush aside his many gifts because he is not perfect in your dreams.” A Course in Miracles

Love Thy Neighbor

Mary Baker Eddy was once asked about her political beliefs. She said she really had no politics, other than to pray for a righteous government, to love her neighbor as herself and God above all else. I’ve always tried to live by this for myself. But today when the pastor of the Methodist church was talking about the horrid divisions in our country, I realized I am guilty of any number of self-righteous thoughts. When he mentioned that 75% of people stated they would not marry someone of an opposing political belief, I realized that was true for me, too. I truly cannot imagine falling in love with someone who supports our current president and his cohorts, much less marrying them. While my beginning statement speaks of loving our neighbor, it also states she prays for a righteous government. I have decided to stand by the morals and principles I’ve developed over a lifetime, while being watchful for any self-righteous judgment to sneak in. When confronted with gross actions, I will strive to see the person in the pure light they were born, remembering that nastiness is a learned behavior. Namaste..

“The Golden Rule is the rule for appropriate behavior. You cannot behave appropriately unless you perceive correctly. Since you and your neighbor are equal members of one family, as you perceive both so you will do to both. You should look out from the perception of your own holiness onto the holiness of others.” A Course in Miracles

Reactions Redefined

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I watched a movie called Diane, starring Mary Kay Place. This woman is hounded by guilt from the past, a drug addicted son in the present, and no hope for the future. The phrase, “but for the grace of God go I”, kept coming to mind. I think this is a horrid phrase and sentiment. It’s one of those sayings which casts stones at others and, at the same time, promotes an unhealthy expectation of what to expect from divine Love. Another story from the Bible turned around in my thought, one where someone is thanking God that he’s not like that Philistine over there. It bring up ideas that I’m better than that guy, I am somehow more blessed than that poor woman, if God wants to punish me I will be like her — well, you get the idea. What I’d rather think is, How can I show compassion to others, how can I help someone see they needn’t be victims of the past, what can I do to improve the future. I’m reminded of a quote from Einstein’s Dreams: “What we do in the present redeems the past and changes the future.” Yes...

“Only the sane can look on stark insanity and raving madness with pity and compassion, but not with fear. For only if they share in it does it seem fearful, and you do share in it until you look upon your brother with perfect faith and love…” A Course in Miracles

Innovation Requires Inspiration

Today marked the very first 2020 Strike, a day when students would walk out of schools and protest our gross negligence in taking care of planet Earth. Greta Thunberg began raising awareness when she would stand outside the Swedish Parliament every Friday entreating the lawmakers to pay attention to what was going on in our world. People like this wonderful child and Marianne Williamson are not afraid to speak up and point out what many of us may be missing: We're in trouble! Greta convinced her parents to stop traveling by air and to stop eating meat. Her speeches at the United Nations and the United States Congress have caused many others to think about how they live on a day-to-day basis. As an editorial in the Christian Science Monitor stated: "Innovation requires inspiration fueled by a view of possibilities not yet seen." I applaud all the people who are thinking in new ways and helping us to do the same! 

“The sun, giving light and heat to the earth, is a figure of divine Life and Love, enlightening and sustaining the universe.” Mary Baker Eddy 

Cozy Neighborhood

Photo credit: Richard Quick
Basin Park in Eureka Springs

As a child, I always wanted to live in town. My parents were older, I was an only child, and we lived in the country. I longed for the kind of neighborhood I heard my friends talk about. They had Beatles clubs, rode their bicycles together, had sleepovers — it sounded wonderful! So when I had children, I made sure to have two and to move to a quiet street in a small town. I still live here and am in love with my neighborhood! The first time I came home and found a note on my refrigerator telling me one of these fine folks had borrowed an egg, I knew I’d never leave. The camaraderie I feel toward them is a great feeling. We rarely visit each other, but think of one another as close friends, and we know we can call for help (or an egg!) at any time. It’s a cozy, comfortable neighborhood. And I am grateful...

"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