Remembering Kindnesses

Pow-Wow at Turpentine Creek
photo credit: Richard Quick

The term "pay it forward" is known by most people. The act of showing our gratitude for a favor done us is acknowledged by helping someone else, and this pays the good deed forward. And on and on it goes. In 1847, the people of Ireland were in the middle of a great famine and members of the Choctaw Nation here in the U.S. gave $170 to them, empathizing with them mainly because it had not been long since they had known suffering in the relocation march known as the Trail of Tears. The Navajo Nation has been hit harder by Covid-19 than any other Native American reservation in this country. Many people of Irish descent have contributed to fundraising efforts for the Navajo and Hopi people in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, raising almost 2 million dollars to help them. As one man said when he donated $50: "In remembrance of your ancestors and their kindness to the people of Ireland. We are one world and one people, together we will get through this. Be safe." In a me-first atmosphere, it is heartening to see examples of empathy and kindness. I know there are more people who love rather than hate. That group is increasing exponentially, and it's a joy to behold!

"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 518:14

Every Thought is Important

I’ve noticed myself (and others) mindlessly repeating things we have heard, whether it be truth or rumor, good news or a horrid happening, or simple inanities. In the volatile atmosphere of our emotionally-charged country, it is particularly important to scatter joy and express kindness. Kindness goes hand-in-hand with compassionate, but that doesn’t mean we must exacerbate others' pain by adding our own to it. I’ve heard it said that worry is much like praying for something bad to happen. With this in mind, I will try to only see, hear, and repeat good. This does not mean I will ignore injustice in all its many faces, nor does it mean that I'll turn my back on someone in need. It does mean when I hear of yet another travesty against mankind and the environment, I will see it through different eyes, translating it into what can occur to move us into our true selves as images of the divine. Planning to refrain from rehashing horror stories, or engaging in inane conversations, or telling my own stories which top the bad things others have experienced, these are things I can and will do at every opportunity. Every thought matters, and ours may be the one which turns it all around!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, Page 206:2-7

Space Between the Thoughts

Utah - Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

The first time I heard the phrase “pray without ceasing”, I didn’t understand how that could be possible. When I learned that prayer was listening, not asking or telling, it started to seem more feasible to be in continual prayer. As I’ve discovered ways to know when my mortal mind is overruling the divine Mind, it’s become even more imperative to listen to intuition rather than my own often-misplaced logic. We get caught up in day-to-day activity, but a desire to fall into the space between the thoughts facilitates the ability to do so. A short moment while waiting for a stoplight to change can be a few seconds of deep meditation. A walk with the dogs is a perfect opportunity to stop extraneous thoughts and savor quiet peace. Any activity which allows our mind to stop its repetitive race — gardening, sewing, piano playing — is a moment of communion with All that Is. Let’s not wait for that perfect, quiet time to meditate and pray, when every moment affords an opportunity!

“Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers. Practice not profession, understanding not belief, gain the ear and right hand of omnipotence as they assuredly call down infinite blessings. Trustworthiness is the foundation of enlightened faith. Without a fitness for holiness, we cannot receive holiness” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 15:25

Trust Your Local Farmer

During these troubling times, we aren't sure who or what to trust. I am choosing to trust in our local farmers. We have been building relationships with them for years. We've watched their families grow, their farms expand, their vegetables become more abundant with the increases in  winter growing capabilities, along with changing planting and harvest techniques. Frequenting farmers markets has opened up a new food source for many, helping us turn away from pesticide-ridden crops and the fossil-fuel-guzzling shipments from thousands of miles away. They help us understand how to prepare nourishing food, how to plant our own small patches to supply our needs, allowing us to eat what is clean and has been produced with loving care. Small-scale food production is what most of us grew up with, and today it seems more important than any other time in our lives. I am grateful for each and every person who brings food to our tables and nourishes our spirit through the farmer's markets! Kudos to you!

"Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens -- all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light." Mary Baker Eddy, Science & Health Page 240

Keep on Dancing!

Photo from my son's wedding last year

Yesterday I sent a video of the happiest song I know, by some of the happiest performers I've witnessed. The response has been heartening, with many of you telling me you're dancing and feeling joyful. My favorite is from a dear friend whose granddaughter lives in Costa Rica and will be celebrating her 8th birthday. They were asked to send a video of themselves dancing (or perhaps they are going to do a Zoom -- I'm not certain), but nevertheless, this close friend was a bit freaked out at the prospect and spent quite some time planning what to wear, how to dance, and what to dance to. After she read my "everybody dance" message, she sent me a video of her practicing. She thought it was full of bloopers and was hilarious, so she wanted to share. What I saw did make me laugh out loud a lot, as it was so joy-filled and free-spirited that I watched it more than once, simply to share in her happiness. This, dear friends, is what we're doing for each other and will continue to do: hold one another up with our light. There are times when even the most Pollyanna-ish of us can feel a bit helpless and/or sad. Let's not be afraid to scatter joy, even if we feel we look silly doing it! Donna proved that to me today. She thought of her dance as full of bloopers; I saw it as an act of Love equal to anything I've witnessed. Thank you, dear Friend!

"Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:23

Get Up And Dance!

Aaron and Kailey's wedding

Today I wish you joy. To facilitate that fabulous feeling, I send you the happiest video I know. Get up and dance! 

Wishing you a day of digging in the dirt, riding in your car, chatting with friends, remembering that Love is all around. Happy Sunday everyone...

https://youtu.be/Kb4Qfo0HQrs

Science of The Christ

Moab - Photo credit: Aaron Springston

I have spent my life never fearing contagion, but for some reason, now I do. It could be social and other media; it could be overexposure to a material, fear-based way of thinking, or it could be I've let down my guard. Being raised in Christian Science, I saw healings of every kind, but never witnessed one within my own thought until after my children were born. Before that, it seemed unnecessary to spend every waking moment working to know the truth of our being, in the face of the great majority of people thinking erroneous beliefs are the law of the world. We think of material laws as being concrete, and spiritual truth as being ephemeral illusion. I was taught the opposite was true, but it seemed easier to go along with the crowd and believe what most everyone else thought of as fact. And so I did, until I had children and circumstances seemed to call for something more than medicine covering up causes for problems. So I had a sea change, moved to Eureka Springs, and began a concentrated study of the Science of the Christ. Then the children were grown and once again it seemed like too much trouble to study and work to keep Truth at the forefront of thought. I was wrong. And so I once again will work to keep thought stayed on spiritual creation rather than the material crapshoot we call life. Namaste...

"My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, -- when he shall realize God's omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind. The promises will be fulfilled. The time for the reappearing of the divine healing is throughout all time, and whosoever layeth his earthly all on the altar of divine Science, drinketh of Christ's cup now, and is endued with the spirit and power of Christian healing." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 55:16