Reinventing Ourselves

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Prior to this pandemic-enforced isolation, most of us didn’t consider reinventing ourselves in any way, much less the drastic changes we are making today. In two months’ time, we have done a 180-degree turn in many aspects of daily existence. The way we check out books from the library, how we hunt and gather food, meeting with friends in clubs and churches, having our hair done and other one-on-one body experiences — well, I’m sure you could each fill up a page with things you used to do by rote, which now must be planned. Our creativity — individually and commonly — is growing exponentially! When we think outside the box in one way, it leads to yet another expansive thought. Whereas a few weeks ago we couldn’t envision a new life, now we are living one and finding ways to enjoy the new way and grow in our vision of what will be. I’m not sure why, but the words which come to mind are “mazel tov”!!

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Recause mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556:25-30

Old Movies

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I love old movies! Not only is it fun to watch actors we have known all our lives, but it’s absolutely fascinating to see behavior which we thought of as acceptable and now seems horrid. I checked out a 6-DVD set of Jack Lemmon movies from our library. In watching Carol Lynley in Under the Yum Yum Tree, it was very apparent everyone was caught in limbo, not knowing if they were progressive, honest women or manipulative sex-kittens. And the men! My goodness! Most were womanizers who couldn’t relate to women without making blatant innuendoes — except for the few who were portrayed as dullards or buffoons. In many films, we witness the cruel racism which continues on the fringes in 2020. There are also many examples of environmental carelessness, animal cruelty, and smoking and drinking to excess. Is it more apparent to us now, looking back, because we have come so far in realizing civil, human, and animal rights? I certainly hope so. I love reading a section of the Christian Science Monitor entitled Points of Progress, wherein we can join in applauding people who are making a difference around the world. There are also websites which celebrate these things, in case you want to applaud the good news, too!

"The rights of man were vindicated in a single section and on the lowest plane of human life, when African slavery was abolished in our land. That was only prophetic of further steps towards the banishment of a world-wide slavery, found on higher planes of existence and under more subtle and depraving forms." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225:31

Loving the Quiet

Having grown up as an only child, I looked forward to going to school, belonging to many clubs, and leaving for college a year early so I could have a crazy social life. Today, it’s quite a revelation to see all desire to do “things” has left me. I do enjoy my daily walk at the cemetery, which tops off a day of puttering, reading, doing household things, bridge playing, piano playing, and an occasional chat with family members or watching a movie. The more I stay home, the more I want to stay home. Today, I did not join a number of group chats being held by friends, as I had no desire to talk to others. I did speak with a good friend on the phone, and we mentioned how we had reached a point of not wanting to “do” anything. Another friend told a mutual social media friend how much she is enjoying this quiet time of contemplation and communing with nature. I heard a program on NPR today which talked of how people are becoming more aware of where their food comes from now that things are not magically re-appearing in grocery stores. People are actually thinking about the high cost and foolishness of shipping a strawberry from the west coast, perhaps letting it rot in the refrigerator, then putting in a landfill, thus adding triply to their carbon footprint. I am grateful for the lessons I’m learning about myself during this time, and I trust you are discovering some things, too. And don't forget to support your local farmers!

"A higher and more practical Christianity, demonstrating justice and meeting the needs of mortals in sickness and in health, stands at the door of this age, knocking for admission. Will you open or close the door upon this angel visitant, who cometh in the quiet of meekness, as it came of old to the patriarch at noonday?" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 224:22

Young @ Heart

The Junes - photo credit:
Richard Quick

[a repeated post from 2018] ​A documentary comes to mind about a group of people whose average age is 80. These delightful people sing in live performances all over the world. Their songs are surprising and joyous, bringing happiness to all who hear them. This ever-changing group of joyful givers call themselves "Young @ Heart", and the film bears the same name. These people inspire me to give of what I have been given, to be willing to share the salvation which is mine -- and yours! Whenever I forget my true Self, the memory of these resplendent people will remind me that we're all here for each other, and that with giving we receive, and with receiving we give.

​"One marvels that a friend can ever seem less than beautiful. Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen intohealth and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom. Immortal Mind feeds the body with supernal freshness and fairness, supplying it with beautiful images of thought..." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:6

Critical Thinking

Little Red Book Shelf
At Loaves and Fishes
in Berryville, AR

“Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline.” This quote by Nichiren grabbed my attention, mainly because of the phrase “elated by prosperity”. There seem to be too many people in charge of the world who are delirious over money. Andrew Carnegie was very wise in telling us: “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.” Mr. Carnegie created 1,689 libraries in the United States. Information is power, and it’s apparent today that many would rather have an uninformed electorate rather than an informed citizenry who can ascertain truth from fiction. I’m currently reading a novel called “The Giver of Stars”, and it is about the women in Appalachia who rode horses, carrying backpacks full of books, delivering them to those who otherwise would not have had them. I guess we feel that the information freeway called the internet takes care of our educational needs. To me, nothing replaces falling into a good book. I think it's necessary to develop critical thinking, don't you?

"Recalling Jefferson's words about slavery, 'I tremble when I remember that God is just,' the author trembles whenever she sees a man for the petty consideration of money, teaching his slight knowledge of Mind-power, -- perhaps communicating his own bad morals, and in this way dealing pitilessly with a community unprepared for self-defence." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 445:29

Kinship With All Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Kevin's been working at the Crescent Hotel gardens the past few weeks and has planted (he estimates) over 1500 plants. On these beautiful spring days, there are many bees and wasps which are very interested in what he's doing, to the point of flying around his head and even getting in his ears. We were talking about how he lives in harmony with these tiny, busy creatures, not fearing them or trying to swat them away, but letting them do their thing while they learn he is harmless. It's that telepathic thing, don't you think? The same mental connection which causes your dog to know when you're five minutes away from the house. I love that he's at one with nature to the extent that birds land on him. Thinking along these lines, I recall a little girl at The Clear Spring School. She was terribly afraid of bees, although blessedly not allergic to them, as one day she was stung three times. The bees happily danced around everyone else, but gave their life to fulfill her dread. Let's practice noticing our thoughts and the creatures around us, knowing that this same principle is at work in our human endeavors, too. What we expect from others is quite often what we get! 

"All of God's creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible. A realization of this grand verity was a source of strength in the ancient worthies." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 514:29

We Have Much To Learn

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We have much to learn from each other. My dear departed daddy used to say, If you can’t learn something from the dumbest man you know, then you aren’t listening. I try to remember this each time I hear mindless gibberish coming from some of our elected officials. The opposite was brought to my attention today when I was reading how New Zealand has coped with this worldwide virus threat. As part of their individual isolation, apps were created offering people mental services in case they could not cope with the changes they needed to make. They insured new mothers were not in need during their isolation. There are a multitude of kindnesses their beautiful prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, implemented as part of their national program. We can learn from this country and many others who are setting the bar high in their work towards understanding what we need to do. We each have a song to sing in this changing world, and it’s important we do so with kindness and wisdom. Too often we hear about the opposite, and therein we may also learn lessons. I have been particularly impressed with our local Methodist minister’s interaction with someone in the men’s room at WalMart. Maybe I’ll tell you about it tomorrow!

“What is intelligence? Intelligence is omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. It is the prime and eternal quality of infinite Mind, of the triune Principle — Life, Truth, and Love, — named God.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 459:7