One Grand Brotherhood

After watching a movie called Crazy Rich Asians, I've been thinking about some of the human behavior exhibited in this chick-flick-date-night film. The main thing I've been wondering about is why in the world the super rich would think they're a higher form of humanity than everyone else. Exclusion is a sad concept, no matter how minor it may be. This is not to say I think everyone should be included in everything. Of course, that cannot be. For instance, my book club has 12-15 people who have been meeting once a month since 2005. We had to close our ranks because it's difficult to have a good discussion with too many present, and it's hard to meet in each other's homes if there are more than this. We don't think we're better than anyone else, but a line must be drawn for many reasons. Perhaps this is how the uber-rich feel, too. I don't know. But I'm certainly going to hold those in the higher echelons of our government in a purer light than they hold me! Sending warm thoughts to everyone on this cold winter's night.

“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 - Science & Health Page 518:15-19

The Work of Time

photo credit: Aaron Springston

t’s very easy for me to say that I am going to see the innocence in my fellow beings, that I shall not condemn actions or words which bombard me, that I will recognize my essential part in this universe. But then, I find myself in a situation where I’m insistent on being right about something, and all my good intentions are laid aside in the pursuit of this goal. I’ve written numerous times in the past about the continuing saga of my neighbor and his vendetta against the turkey vultures which live in our woods. The issue has been raised once again, in a way I deem to be even more bizarre than ever before. It would be easy to dismiss his words as nonsensical ravings, but I truly want to look at the feelings behind them. My quest for listening to others with the intent of understanding rather than responding will not allow me to dismiss him so easily. Following the guidance of divine Mind, I will endeavor this day to listen, not just to others, but to the still, small voice inside, allowing my heart to lead my actions.

“Society is a foolish juror, listening only to one side of the case. Justice often comes too late to secure a verdict. People with mental work before them have no time for gossip about false law or testimony. To reconstruct timid justice and place the fact above the falsehood, is the work of time.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 238:25-30

Serendipity?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Watching life pass you by, or watching life unfold? These, to me, have entirely different meanings! The former implies that you are hiding in your house, looking out the window at people living, gardens growing, life happening without you. The latter, watching life unfold, means more than that, in my opinion. There are so many things in this life which you cannot plan, because you don't know what's going to happen. You can be ready and willing to act when the time comes, but really can't know what to do until that happens. We've had a situation similar to this regarding our vehicle. My son had a feeling he should get a new battery, but had been putting it off. When I would drive the car, there would occasionally be a "cutting out" when driving at slow speeds. Also, there had been a "shudder" sometimes when it would shift from lowest gear to the next up. I decided to take it to K-Way mechanics to get their opinion. They took it out for a test drive, brought it back in and it wouldn't start again. The battery had given up the ghost -- right then and there in the shop!! They did indeed notice a shudder and contacted someone who told them that this model of Ford had four recalls on it and the transmission needed to be replaced right away, which is being done right now. This is the type of unfoldment I love to watch. Everything happening exactly when it should, with no angst or worry on my part. I am most grateful for the life lessons which have brought me to this way of thought.

Once you accept His plan as the one function that you would fulfill, there will be nothing else the Holy Spirit will not arrange for you without your effort. He will go before you making straight your path, and leaving in your way no stones to trip on, and no obstacles to bar your way.  Nothing you need will be denied you. Not one seeming difficulty but will melt away before you reach it. You need take thought for nothing, careless of everything except the only purpose that you would fulfill. As that was given you, so will its fulfillment be. God's guarantee will hold against all obstacles, for it rests on certainty and not contingency. It rests on you. And what can be more certain than a Son of God?" A Course in Miracles T-20.IV.8.

Wildpeace

Wildpeace by Yehuda Amichai

Not the peace of a cease-fire
not even the vision of the wolf and the lamb,
but rather
as in the heart when the excitement is over
and you can talk only about a great weariness.
I know that I know how to kill, that makes me an adult.
And my son plays with a toy gun that knows
how to open and close its eyes and say Mama.
A peace
without the big noise of beating swords into ploughshares,
without words, without
the thud of the heavy rubber stamp: let it be
light, floating, like lazy white foam.
A little rest for the wounds - who speaks of healing?
(And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation
to the next, as in a relay race:
the baton never falls.)

Let it come
like wildflowers,
suddenly, because the field
must have it: wildpeace.

Holding Peace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

It's easy to fall into fear and anger in these turbulent times. I probably do it 10 or 20 times a day! When we hear things we know to be untrue, it can be easy to defend our beliefs with arguments. These days there are many things meant to "trigger" us into mindless anger. There's even a book by this name, telling how to upset people on purpose with wild mis-statements and points of truth which can be upsetting. So I am adamant in this peace I live, with a determination never felt before in my lifetime, a determination to live love, truth, goodness. Some people can stay pretty calm by meditations and affirmations which run through their heads. Some try to hide away from unsavory topics and hold peace in that way. My hope is to hold onto it in the face of any and all challenges, reaching deep and wide and high to feel the Love from which we are all created. Sometimes I feel like Bill Murray in "What About Bob?", as he repeats: I feel good, I feel fine, I feel wonderful! But you know what? Do anything it takes to hold onto the loving forgiveness which never blames in the first place. Namaste 

"You believe in what you value. If you are afraid, you are valuing wrongly. Your understanding will then inevitably value wrongly, and by endowing all thoughts with equal power will inevitably destroy peace. That is why the Bible speaks of “the peace of God which passeth understanding.” This peace is totally incapable of being shaken by errors of any kind. It denies the ability of anything not of God to affect you. This is the proper use of denial. It is not used to hide anything, but to correct error. It brings all error into the light, and since error and darkness are the same, it corrects error automatically." A Course in Miracles text

Love Rules the Universe

The interconnectivity of everything is showing itself everywhere, don’t you think? I take it as a sign of hope in this age of madness, watching consistently higher thought and its many manifestations, knowing the numbers of those speaking out for truth are, even now, increasing. This effect is a product of all the joyous energy we can individually muster! Our passionate expressions are conduits for this Love, shouting it out with our every action, every day, never being less than that. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of collective thought, and am watching in excitement as goodness and beauty manifest in sudden bursts. The more we love passionately, in truth, the more it spreads. I think that’s how Love conquers all, don’t you?

"The government of divine Love is supreme. Love rules the universe, and its edict hath gone forth: 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' and 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Let us have the molecule of faith, that removes mountains, -- faith armed with the understanding of Love, as in divine Science, where right reigneth. The revered President and Congress of our favored land are in God's hands." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 278

The Giver

photo credit: Aaron Springston
On the John Muir Trail

Imagine a world with no pain, no war, no lack. This is the world presented in a thought-provoking movie called, "The Giver". The scenario seems Utopian on the surface, but no one sees colors, or feels love, or knows joy. This world of sameness is calculated to eliminate envy and greed, as these are feelings which lead to conflicts and war.  Jeff Bridges plays the giver of memories, and no one else knows the memories of past horrors or wonders. What do you think? Would it be worth it to have a perfectly comfortable and predictable world with no highs nor lows? Is this what we're trying to create for ourselves in giving drugs to anyone who steps outside of the so-called norm in society? What are we creating in our efforts to make everyone socially acceptable? I feel like I'm asking you questions in an Oprah book club or something similar! This movie asks us: Is all the pain worth the glimpses of love we may experience? I know many of us are willing to give up our belief in a hellish world of pain and reach within for heaven and harmony. I can see that many of us are finding bliss no matter what the outer circumstance, but a lot of people are frightened and resistant. We can't change anyone else, but we can change our own thought. If we really are One, this makes a difference!

“Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:9-13