Hillbilly, Revisited

I rewatched the documentary, Hillbilly, this evening. So am reposting this from November last year.

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Hillbillies. What comes to mind when you hear this word? Perhaps the Beverly Hillbillies, or depictions in cartoons of this group of people, maybe a mixture of the redneck genre and hillfolk. Whatever the case, more than likely it is a caricature of the reality. I’ve read Hillbilly Elegy and I live in the Ozark hills, so my study is more than intellectual. I truly want to know the motivation behind those who voted for our current president, so I listen and learn. A documentary called “Hillbilly” is perhaps the most poignant portrayal I’ve seen or read. A young woman who escaped her Kentucky home and makes films in California put together this movie. She has made me think deeply about my prejudices. It reinforces my feeling that we all want the same things in life: love, a warm home, a feeling of security in our jobs and environment. How we become confused in those desires is what fascinates me.

"The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping post and slave market; but 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

Be Peace

From Hippie Peace Freaks

Saturday is my big church gig day, with recording and also a live feed service being done between noon and 5. Today both services centered around peace and what we must do to stand up and allow goodness to surround and dissipate anger. The Presbyterian minister always slips something unexpected into his sermons, which I think he does just to see if we are listening carefully. Today's entry into his hall of fame remarks was this: Peace, even beauty queens believe in it! Every beauty pageant always has at least one contestant saying all they want is world peace, don't you know? I also enjoy the six-feet-away-from-each-other passing of the peace. We use the old hippie hand peace sign and smile at everyone while giving them rabbit-ear blessings. There's something quaint and endearing about this, I think. But the bottom line is peace: live it, talk it, walk it, pass it, think it, sing it, love it, never be afraid to stand up for it! Happy Sunday to all!!

"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 belong to wisdom and Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:23

Lighting the Way

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Some people's lights are so bright they never disappear. This morning after my quiet time, as usual I checked youtube to see if any of my favorite seers had posted anything new. I was extremely delighted to see an old interview, newly posted, where Eckhart Tolle is talking with Lothar Schäfer! I wrote a tribute to him earlier this year when he passed away. Seeing this video was like sitting in a room chatting with him. The light in his eyes took me back to the time we would toast each other with fine wine, absolutely certain that our ringing glasses were resonating with the vibrations of our very being. I loved Lothar, and always will. Right after I saw this interview, I sent the link to his wife and a couple of dear friends. Their responses have solidified the connection we all had with this lovely man, whom I am so grateful to have known. Later in the day, I received word that the husband of a dear friend had suddenly passed. My heart goes out to her and all of their friends and family. Through the sadness, there is a sweet certainty that these dear ones are all right, and that we will be all right, too. Much Love to all...

"Prophet: A spiritual seer, disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 593:4

https://youtu.be/lNVb4Aa1KmM 

Never Fear the Consequences

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many of us shy away from speaking truth to erroneous thought. I read an article today by a woman who was growing up in the 1960s, a time when people of different races did not, as a rule, mingle voluntarily. She told the story of being at a friend's house and being confronted by her friend's father. The writer of this story was working with a program for rural Black people and he had seen her holding a Black child's hand, with another child sitting on her lap. He felt her actions merited corporeal punishment. She immediately said to the man, "God loves that little boy. Why don't you?" This made the man more angry and he started to take his belt off, advancing towards her. She said, "God loves you too, and you must love all whom God loves." He dropped his belt and began sobbing, reaching out to hug the girl who had forced him to face himself. This story caused me to think of times I have seen a simple statement change a situation. There is a power in truth; a power which lies only appear to have. These are difficult times indeed, but whether it's a woman sitting naked before angry forces, or pregnant women banding together against injustice, or you speaking up to your friend, we must stand for what is right and good, never fearing the consequences.

"Millions of unprejudiced minds -- simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert -- are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14

Engage Whimsy!

Crow Johnson Evans playing in
 husband, Arthur's, flower garden​

My fine friend, Crow Johnson, made a Facebook post today which enthralled me so thoroughly that I asked her if I could use it for my daily post. You can find out more about this delightful musician, artist, writer at her website: www.crowspun.com 

"How do you engage whimsy? Have you allowed your inner child to get out of your stuffy adult 'I’m too busy and grown to play' closet?  Come on out!

Are you willing to let go of holding on and simply enjoy being where you are?

Perhaps imagine you are barefoot on a high wire trapeze walking above the crowds...and they may all just be applauding you or wondering how they can walk the wire too!

Maybe imagine you are in the tropics smelling the heady aromas...

There is so much to be concerned about right now, but even more to get delighted by if you’ll only allow yourself to play... too.

Might as well balance in this unbalanced world.

Arthur’s flowers invite play... of course you might want to turn off the electric fence first or it might be a whole ‘nother hot wire act."

Posted by Crow on July 22, 2020

Look Up!

art may be found at:
JudyClementWall.com

It’s easy to look down all the time. Maybe we’re checking our phones, or worried about falling down, or wondering what’s going to happen next and imagining terrible events — and on and on. One woman I know is in a state of panic because her air conditioner was leaking water in a way it should not. Another is hysterical about a sick relative. Anxiety is rampant, and I have caught a bit of it today with news of a bug infestation in our neighborhood. Thought can easily snowball from one disaster to another when we get into that state of mind. I’m glad this has happened to me today, because it gives me empathy when talking to someone who is feeling chronically anxious. Today my worried mind was calmed by the drawing you see here. This artist lives far away and I only know her through Facebook, but I’m sure glad I do! We can do this for each other, whether we’re friends, acquaintances, or complete strangers. Let’s remind each other to look up, as there’s a whole other world of wonder up there!

“The condemnation of mortals to till the ground means this, — that mortals should so improve material belief by thought tending spiritually upward as to destroy materiality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 545:7

Seeking Understanding

In our country, the division between tribes has become so virulent and excessive that people are almost constantly in a state of judgment and battle in one form or another. Many are resorting to violent behavior and speech when confronted by something they don’t understand or disagree vehemently about. I’m keeping my finger on the pulse of these divisions and searching for ways we can communicate. It is not easy. One woman, whom I met through metafizzies years ago, has decided to come out of the closet and admit she’s a Trump supporter. I’ve started a private conversation with her about this development, because I truly want to understand how this could happen to her. It’s simpler than I wanted to admit. She listens to and reads fringe news sources, feeds her fear of conspiracy theories, and thinks that our current administration will change its outlook on the environment and animal and human welfare (she's a vegan). It takes all my strength not to argue with her. And so I continue to calmly and privately send her refutations of things she posts as facts on social media. I don’t want to be one who screams at people to wake up, but it’s tempting. Namaste...

"The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Science & Health, Page 506:13