The Face of Divine Love

Acknowledging that everything and everyone we look upon is the face of divine Love takes our perception to another level. With this sight, we do not need to see race or nationalities nor gender, there are no political parties for which to wave flags, and no enemies to fight against nor allies to side with. I see beautiful things happening in our world. Long-held beliefs are being released in favor of an open-hearted acceptance of everyone as they are, not as we want them to be. Change can seem difficult, but our new perceptions of Life are a conscious choice by which we break free of habits and old thought patterns which have held us in bondage for far too long. Let’s celebrate our new-found sight today!

“Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454: 20-23

Radical Social Change

Gender equality has always been difficult to achieve. We have reasons, excuses, for why it's impossible. Legislators insisted it was to protect women, when they refused them the rights which were "granted" to men. These inalienable rights spoken of in the Constitution of the United States have been interpreted time and again, and usually they are deemed as applying to the male sex; for a long while, only to white males, then gradually evolving to include everyone. I watched the movie based on Ruth Bader Ginsberg's work to achieve women's equality in a man's world. It's called "On the Basis of Sex". Remembering how life was when I graduated from high school in 1970 is like remembering a dream. The cages we were crammed into were meant to keep the male animal in control, and it worked pretty well -- at least on the surface. But seeds had been planted; seeds of freedom which we are still nurturing. One of Jesus' main men informed us there are no bond nor free, no gentile nor jew, no male or female -- yet to this day we can't seem to figure that out! I take that back: many of us know these things, and that's why it's up to us to keep affirming the Truth of our being, and doing everything possible for others to see, too. Thank you, RBG!! 

"...oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225

Remember to Laugh!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Don't forget to watch a silly movie and laugh! During the holiday season, there are so many events! After a full day today, rather than going to a concert I truly wanted to attend, I decided to stay home, have a great dinner, and watch a movie with Kevin. We watched "Elf" and giggled. I even managed to take a nap during the badly-constructed apex of the movie :) Nevertheless, I'm going to bed early with visions of silly things in my head. And a goodnight to all!!

"The harmony and immortality of man are intact. We should look away from the opposite supposition that man is created materially, and turn our gaze to the spiritual record of creation, to that which should be engraved on the understanding and heart 'with the point of a diamond' and the pen of an angel." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 521:9

F.E.A.R.

photo credit: Steve Shogren

One of my favorite acronyms is “False Evidence Appearing Real”. Fear stems from the idea that we can be separated from joy and love, from peace and security. It would be unkind to tell someone there is nothing to fear when they are in the middle of a war zone or, perhaps, have been brutally attacked. At this stage of our evolution, perhaps it's best to think this truth silently, affirming within ourselves that illusions are not facts and there is, in reality, nothing to fear. For instance, I have a friend who has been in a car accident and is now afraid to drive outside of our small hometown. While I did not make light of her fear, I also steadfastly refused to reinforce her trepidation by agreeing with her. I don’t think true compassion is shown by agreeing with erroneous thought; rather, thought can be changed by seeing the error in thinking and asserting the truth of our being as an expression of divine Mind (God). I pray  for the grace which will guide me to silence or action!

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:11-14

Addicted to Hate

photo credit: Aaron Springston
Loveland Pass, Colorado

I heard a program on National Public Radio today in which people who had been involved with hate groups, and were presently in recovery, were interviewed. There were white nationalists, neo-nazis, Islamic terrorists. Some wanted out because they realized they were wrong, others had wives who gave them ultimatums when they saw their children behaving in this way, whatever the reason, they all had something in common: they couldn’t leave without support from groups. It was very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. These people said they were addicted to the feelings, the strong emotions, which were aroused when they screamed messages of derision toward others. Listening to these dear people talk about their experiences — how and why they were drawn to such a destructive group of people, the way it made them feel, why they had to get away from them — I was struck by how much we truly are all the same. Sometimes we lose our way and think that pain is pleasure, hate is love, and ugliness is beauty. I’m going to double down on my efforts to scatter joy and love my neighbor. It is, indeed, important!

"...fear demands the sacrifice of love, for in love's presence fear cannot abide. For hate to be maintained, love must be feared; and only sometimes present, sometimes gone. Thus is love seen as treacherous, because it seems to come and go uncertainly, and offer no stability to you. You do not see how limited and weak is your allegiance, and how frequently you have demanded that love go away, and leave you quietly alone in 'peace.'" A Course in Miracles T-29.2.7.

Not Arguing is Not Agreement

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I used to have a seeming need to speak my mind. Some might say I still do! It didn’t matter if it was a holiday dinner or family function where everyone was supposed to be having a good time, if I disagreed with someone, I was sure to let them know exactly why! At some point in the last twenty or so years, I’ve lost that desire. If I disagree with someone nowadays, I’ll perhaps say something like, “You may be right about that”, and smile and wander away. Or I maya ask them questions about why they have such an opinion. Rarely do I feel the need to argue a point. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you have a choice of being right or being kind, be kind.” Not having a desire to defend myself or others is my goal in this life's ministry. And there are always lots of opportunities to put it into practice!!

“Teach your student that he must know himself before he can know others and minister to human needs. Honesty is spiritual power.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 453:14-15

Nothing Unreal Exists

My mind is swirling this evening with visions of past friendships and present turmoil and confusion. The confusion is not mine, and I’m not taking it on, but I am having a difficult time holding to the spiritual truth of this situation. The thing I keep coming back to is Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Perhaps I find this so appealing because of my Christian Science training in early years. I always go back to holding to the Truth of our being when facing difficult situations. The forgiveness practice of Ho’oponopono is a form of keeping thought away from the seeming problems, while concentrating on the words, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.” It helps to quiet my thoughts and allow the still small voice to be heard inwardly, guiding me to where I need to be. And so I will repeat these words every time the distressing situation tells me there is no solution. At times like this, I am extremely grateful for A Course in Miracles and all the teachers and students who are holding their thought above the illusion. Namaste...

“Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.” A Course in Miracles