Not an Easy Revolution

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Perhaps humanity has been listening to the wrong voice all along. Maybe this is not how we truly are, but we simply have become accustomed to the behaviors we are taught and witness in others, never stopping to question if this is the way it must be. I've never been a fan of ritual and dogma, and in my advancing years I find little use for these things. Honesty and integrity dictate that we follow our heart, speak truth, act with compassion, and never fear the consequences! Many of us are stuck in our ways, doing the same things every day, thinking the same thoughts (with a few exceptions), and blindly believing what keeps us comfortably non-curious. Yes, we may have an inkling that something is wrong, thinking perhaps we could be happier, more fulfilled, more peaceful. We may go to therapists to advise us on what to do. Maybe we ask friends for advice. Or simply tell ourselves to be content that things aren't worse than they are. The time for this madness to cease is now! We are waking up, and it's not an easy revolution!

"Shepherd, show me how to go
O’er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow,
How to feed Thy sheep.
I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way." 

- Poem by Mary Baker Eddy

Realizing Our Purpose

Those who take the Christian bible literally may feel these are the end times, or the rapture, or something of that sort. The magnitude of fires, earthquakes, plagues, and other disruptive happenings seem to be increasing every day. I feel these events are helping us to see we're doing things wrong, and giving us an outline on how to right them. We've been trying to wake up to the Truth of our being forever, and the time is upon us. Many are afraid of change and do not want to give up the comfort of their long-held beliefs, so this is a push to help us take the next step in our realizations. We are not material; we are spiritual. It can be difficult to see this when we are so certain in our illusions. Those railroad tracks really do look like they come together, just as it seems we can fall off the end of the flat earth when we're out for a sail. But we know better, because we've been educated to know the fallacy of those thoughts. Because of a desire to control the masses, religion has taught us to fear, has told us we're weak, has kept us shackled for reasons too ridiculous to speculate upon. It's time to just say no and claim our heritage as the magnificent Beings we truly are!

"The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will someday assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God. Then they will control their own bodies through the understanding of divine Science. Dropping their present beliefs, they will recognize harmony as the spiritual reality and discord as the material unreality." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures - Page 228: 11

Am I Hoarding Judgment?

I watch in fascination as people buy toilet paper and soap and hand sanitizers in mass quantities. I hear people are stealing protective masks from medical facilities. The odd thing (to me at least) is the lack of  logic in this hoarding behavior. I feel certain you have thought of these things, too, so I won't belabor the point. I can see many positive things coming from this time of upheaval in our "normal" activities. Perhaps we will become more mindfully aware of our actions toward others. Maybe we will decide to be kind rather than right. I'm going to work on this one, because I always say I want to be kind rather than correct, but my actions prove me wrong. While I can't see myself fighting over a four-pack of toilet paper in the Wal-Mart, I can hear myself insisting something is not so about where things are planted in the garden. Good grief! And so, rather than pointing fingers at others who are doing things I don't understand, I'll try to understand me, which will hopefully lead to losing judgment and finding Love!

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the alter 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

Joyous Contagion

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge, the eyes which light up, are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give these gifts, freely, joyously, with no reservations or restrictions!


"Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in  music, and discord is unnatural, unreal." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:17-21

Gratitude in Times of Turmoil

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I read an interesting editorial in the Christian Science Monitor, which talked about gratitude in times of crisis. Gratitude was expressed for health care professionals working to contain and treat the current virus outbreak, among other things. The article mentioned how gratitude helps put a focus on the good in a situation, dampening fear. It helps people form stronger bonds across borders and through their differences. It encourages generosity. I found it particularly interesting that they referred to expressing appreciation as a kind of reset for thoughts, saying that it allows calm reflective thinking, which is just what we need to bring a healing perspective during these times. These wise words can certainly be applied to many situations in our current atmosphere, don't you think? I'm going to practice this as a way of turning around fearful or defensive thinking when it occurs. If someone is saying something which I find abrasive, I will find something to be grateful for about them. When a politician has upset me with his actions, I shall try to follow my own advice. Whatever the case, I love thinking about gratitude as a "reset"!! 

"Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:25-26

Compassionate Rats

Have you seen the study about rats and how they care enough about their rat friends to not give them a shock, even when it means getting a tasty treat? I think this is wonderful! Even the “lowly” rat doesn’t want to see its counterpart suffer. I think it’s normal for us to want others be happy and do well, but quite a few folks think their friends revel in their failure. I hope this isn’t as prevalent as is supposed, don’t you? I’ve heard tell some parents are jealous of their children when they exceed their parents’ performance in, for instance, sports. What a shame. I will remember the rat study and its uplifting results the next time I witness human injustice, and I will strive to hold myself to the same standard!

"A feasible as well as rational means of improvement at present is the elevation of society in general and the achievement of a nobler race for legislation, -- a race having higher aims and motives." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 63

Consciousness rules

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Nothing can be imaged forth in form unless it exists in consciousness. What??  I know, I know. You may say you had never heard of such and such disease until you got it. Well, collective consciousness counts, too. Yikes! So how do we keep from contracting every disease and imaging forth all the horrors of the world? This is exactly what Gary Renard tells us in "The Disappearance of the Universe" and what Mary Baker Eddy means by "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter". When we put more faith in matter than Spirit, then, yes, we are subject to every little quirk of the universe. But the realization of Truth puts us under no government but that of divine Mind, God. It may seem that it would be impossible to come out from under the tent of materiality in favor of Spirit. I've had enough glimpses to know it is indeed very possible -- but it takes work. When you listen to detailed stories of disease, it become embedded in consciousness. I'm never surprised when something jumps out of that vast forever, but I do negate it in thought -- to the best of my ability. And practice does make perfect, so I won't give up!

"Disease arises, like other mental conditions, from association. Since it is a law of mortal mind that certain diseases should be regarded as contagious, this law obtains credit through association, -- calling up the fear that relates the image of disease and its consequent manifestation in the body." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 154