Are There Levels of Integrity?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

What would you do if you found millions of dollars in the woods in a wrecked plane? Would you go directly to the police or would you stop and think about the consequences of keeping it? We watched a movie, A Simple Plan, which brought these and other questions to thought as we saw this multifaceted dilemma unfold. While we may not have such dramatic choices in daily life, there are many instances presented to us which give an opportunity to test our morality. For instance, if the grocery checker gives you too much change, or when you see someone drop something of value without realizing it — well, the list is endless. Thinking about this has caused me to be more aware of being kind when I could be indifferent. There have been organized movements which foster good behavior, such as, Pay It Forward, or doing random acts of kindness. Yes, I’m going to be more aware of needs and try to fill the void when I see it. Ah, that’s the secret: seeing the need!! 

"The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father, and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good." Mary Baker Eddy

Evasion of Truth Cripples Integrity

I love to watch Dancing With the Stars. People step outside their comfort zone and dance, practice hard, and often change their lives. In the years I’ve enjoyed this show, I’ve never seen anyone who has no natural rhythm advance beyond the first week or two — until now. Sean Spicer came on the show and was easily the worst dancer, seeming to be an early elimination prospect. But he is still in the competition, when five others have been sent home. Why, we all wonder? Well, Trevor Noah has given us the answer. Through a series of interviews on Fox News and Mr. Spicer’s own advertisement, we see how he is manipulating the system. He has told people how to cast votes more times than they normally could, and urges people on the west coast to vote even before they’ve seen him dance. He has turned this competition into a pitiful parody of what it’s been for the past 20+ seasons. Why is it so important for him to win? He has given interviews on Fox stating that this is for the “cause”, and that Democrats think they’re better than everyone else and people should vote for him, making his appearance on the show into some sort of convoluted political stand. Good grief. What have we come to? When voting and results can be manipulated through a person or group, it makes me wonder about those buying into the story as much as those telling it. What has become of our integrity? Where does the madness stop? It stops with us, you and me, right now. Namaste... 

"Evil which obtains in the bodily senses, but which the heart condemns, has no foundation; but if evil is uncondemned, it is undenied and nurtured. Under such circumstances, to say that there is no evil, is an evil in itself. When needed, tell the truth concerning the lie. Evasion of Truth cripples integrity and casts thee down from the pinnacle." Mary Baker Eddy 

It's the Small Stuff

photo credit: Gerry Toler

The magic of a single day is magnificent! For instance, I came home the other day and Kevin gleefully told me it had been the best day of his life. Fun and interesting things had been happening around him all day. I kind of feel that way about today! On this chilly, rainy day, life was bursting forth at every turn. It could be said that our fall leaves are rather lackluster, but on this gray day the leaves glowed. People seemed different -- somewhat raw in their emotions and words. It felt really real out there today! It's the little things, don't you think? Seeing the last rose shivering at the end of October, watching friends gather together with heartfelt caring for each other, lifting a glass and sharing food -- what a joy to be present in each moment! When things seem mundane, or difficult, or overwhelming, start noticing the moments and hang on tight! 

"Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love." Mary Baker Eddy 

Giving is Supply

Apple Stock Image: The Gift

I love the teachings of Joel Goldsmith, and many mornings I will open up one of his books at random. This morning, I picked up “A New Concept of Supply” and immediately saw this sentence: “Supply is not getting; supply is giving.” He gos on to tell us that giving is not necessarily monetary, but it could be giving UP something, such as jealousy, hatred, and anger. Concerning money, he says sending out a dime into the world with the attitude of giving freely, with no thought for recognition or someone’s gratitude, is the key to starting the flow of supply. This is a tough concept for many of us, because we’ve been taught that the more we give, the less we have. We have a feeling that there is not enough to go around and we must hold onto everything we can get. In developing the consciousness of supply, we first must realize that supply is invisible and infinite; it is Spirit. It can be difficult to grasp the concept that giving is getting (and it’s actually more a releasing of thought than a grasping of it), but once the flow begins circulating, it’s easier to “take no thought...”, as Jesus recommended time and again. 

“The belief that money and property constitute supply has been accepted for so many years that most people rely on them for their security; and then when, through the devaluation of the currency or through a world-wide depression or for some other reason beyond their control, billions disappear, they feel that their world has collapsed. Students of spiritual wisdom must come to the realization that they have no supply outside their own being, that supply lies in something that cannot be known through the physical senses: Supply is the Infinite Invisible.” Joel Goldsmith

The Appeal of Horror

photo credit: Richard Quick

Halloween is always fun because of playing dress-up and eating sweet stuff. But what of the horror phenomenon? I have never enjoyed being scared or tricked, so that part of this time of year has never held appeal to me, and I’ve been wondering why we have this obsession with zombies. We have quite an invasion here in Eureka Springs, and I’m content to have been out of town and missed last weekend’s influx. I suppose people like the idea of being dead but continuing to walk about in these bodies, going on and on while our decrepit selves try not to fall apart. I find no appeal there either - my goodness!  Perhaps we can act out our fears of other things, such as “invasions” and death, working through the things we dread or don’t understand. I hear that our U.S. Center for Disease Control issued advice on how to survive a zombie apocalypse, and it was meant to prepare our citizens for a pandemic outbreak of any type. I’m not sure how all this ties together, but it’s what I’ve been pondering today. Please feel free to post your thoughts to the blog (website link is below). You don’t need to sign in to do so! 

"The fact that the Christ, or Truth, overcame and still overcomes death proves the 'king of terrors' to be but a mortal belief, or error, which Truth destroys with the spiritual evidences of Life; and this shows that what appears to the senses to be death is but a mortal illusion, for to the real man, and the real universe there is no death process." Mary Baker Eddy 

My Mom Loved Baseball

Bryan and Anita Havens
circa 1931

My mom was a baseball fan. She followed the St. Louis Cardinals and talked about the players with her friends. After I left home and lived in Fayetteville, she came to spend a few days at my house. My roommate was a baseball fan, too, so she and my mother spent some time watching games. Imagine my surprise when Brenda told me that my mother knew nothing about baseball! I was dumbfounded, and a bit embarrassed. This dear woman was a joyous ball of energy. She had a great laugh and rarely walked when she could run. But as children sometimes do, I didn’t realize how fabulous she was. She wore bright clothing and a flower in her hair, when my friends’ moms were non-descript. She painted doors bright red with black spots and gold doorknobs. She was happier than any other mom I knew. Looking back on her lack of baseball expertise, I see how cool that was! She enjoyed watching the players, cheered when they hit the ball (not caring if it was foul or fair), and was ecstatic when they made the playoffs. I wonder if she even knew what that meant? It didn’t matter! Sophia Anita Bravo Havens loved life! What I'd give to watch a game with her...

"Fed by Thy love divine we live,

    For Love alone is Life;

And life most sweet, as heart to heart

Speaks kindly when we meet and part."

Mary Baker Eddy 

Free Your Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Some metaphysical folks like to point out how disease is brought about by certain of our behaviors — i.e., jealousy causes cancer and other such beliefs. One of the reasons I love Christian Science is the idea that there is no individual, mental cause for disease; it is a universal hypnotism which we have accepted and from which we must free ourselves. In other words, we may be jealous or dishonest, but there is no need for condemnation; we need but understand how to free ourselves from these universal beliefs. We do this through the knowledge that these traits or behaviors are not a part of the real you, and that to whatever degree you are expressing negative qualities of mind and body, that is the extent you have allowed world beliefs to be imposed upon you. First of all, stop condemning yourself for what you see as bad, and begin to see the reality of You. Then your mind can become a clear transparency for Mind, God, to flow through. If this seems complicated, be assured we shall revisit  this topic often! 

"We should blush to call that real which is only a mistake. The foundation of evil is laid on a belief in something besides God. This belief tends to support two opposite powers, instead of urging the claims of Truth alone. The mistake of thinking that error can be real, when it is merely the absence of truth, leads to belief in the superiority of error." Mary Baker Eddy