Hope for Tomorrow

I have never enjoyed political conventions, but I loved the last four days of the Democratic push toward the presidency. It brought tears and laughter many times, along with a pride in our country which I had forgotten how to feel. How fine to hear actual ideas rather than blustering, selfish words. It was a joy to hear plans based on ideas which were backed up by education, knowledge, science, virtue, morality. What do you care about? Is it good enough to hold the status quo and continue barely surviving, or do we want to make some changes in our lives and our government and go forward into new and better ways of living? I know my answer. I'm sure you, too, have examined your innermost feelings and know what you want for our country. Respect for each other, without shouting rhetoric and outlandish beliefs, shown in real conversations without thinking everyone is out to get us and we must attack first -- this is my hope for future dialogues between the American people. I feel an honest hope for tomorrow. I hope you do, too!

"I am asked, 'What are your politics?' I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government, to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself." Mary Baker Eddy Miscellany 276:23

Phases and Stages

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Cynicism hides the light of the world quite effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity. By the time I was a teenager, cynicism had taken over my every action. This is a definition of cynicism: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others." During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the Love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. Everyone I know realizes that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted; that fear can never be as powerful as Love. More people every day are waking up to the truth of their being, not allowing anything to hide this light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

"Ignorance of the divine idea betrays at once a greater ignorance of the divine Principle of the idea — ignorance of Truth and Love. The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 560:28-4

Just Tell The Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

When was the last time someone told you a blatant lie? Did you know it was a lie because of the way it sounded, or was it something you knew for a fact was untrue, and, if so, did you question the person about what they said? I’ve never understood lies. Our current political situation causes me to think that people must really believe they are telling the truth, because it doesn’t seem possible anyone would make up things which are so harmful to our nation. Confusion seems to be the name of the game nowadays, with conspiracy theorists competing for the most ludicrous lies to promulgate. If we hear something which sounds too crazy to be true, it probably is. Let’s all be cautious in our retelling of things we hear. They could simply be a ploy to keep us at odds with each other. Listen closely and love one another. Namaste...

"Grace and Truth are potent beyond all other means and methods." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 67:23

Simple Things

Long Creek Herbs
Blue Eye, Missouri

This quote, from Eckhart Tolle, I've had at the bottom of my emails for a few months: "True happiness is found in simple, seemingly unremarkable things." I feel particularly grateful for the unremarkable things I've done today! Visiting with old friends was pleasant and wonderful. These men are both talented writers, gardeners, chefs,  and a joy to be around. Moments spent with them brings a particular happiness, one which comes from being around those who help your Being. If you haven't done this in some form -- as many of us have not recently -- I urge you to find a way to partake of pure people energy. Please, have a beautiful Monday, relish the moments, and spread some joy today!

"Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish, therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:23 

Peace To You

Have a Good Day

photo credit: Aaron Springston

How often have you heard someone say something like: It's been a bad day? I agree we can perceive events as being bad for us, personally, but to blame the day? Our interpretation of what causes a day to be good or bad is interesting, too. I remember when I ran an art gallery, often people would come in and say, Have you had a good day? I most always would enthusiastically say, Yes! And often they would say, Oh, I'm so glad you made lots of sales! And then I'd have to tell them, No, I didn't sell many pieces, but it sure was a fun day! So now, in mid-August of this interesting year, many people are feeling down, tired, disheartened, perhaps frightened. If I defined this day by some things, I would say it was a bad day. For instance, I didn't care for any of the acts on America's Got Talent, I played sloppy bridge online, I learned that a friend died, I didn't feel like writing, or even reading. But, on the other hand, I put together a super good tuna salad for the weekend, the watermelon Kevin brought home is great, a local writer posted a fabulous tribute to Eureka Springs on Facebook today which has kept me smiling much of the day, my cilantro plants are sprouting, my cats are beautiful and happy, we have a project to help a sick fox and this brings us joy, a group of women I love will be having an outdoor gathering before long -- well, my point is, there are always many things we can point to which make our days "good" or "bad". It's all about where we put our attention. Namaste...

"Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable. Evil is not power. It is a mockery of strength, which erelong betrays its weakness and falls, never to rise." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 192:22

Pick Yourself Up And Start All Over Again

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Starting over. Making changes. Reinventing ourselves. Most of us have done this more than once, haven't we? Sea changes in our lives may come about because of illness, loss of a job, losing a loved one, or just needing to let go of behaviors which no longer serve us. Whatever the case, many of us resist these changes. Those of us who have done it numerous times may embrace these adventures with excitement and gratitude. It seems we are all in the midst of major shifts in our perceptions and our daily activities, and it can be frightening. I see many wishing someone would throw them a life preserver and tow them to safety. Some seem to be grasping at illusions of hope, not seeing through the mist to the pitfalls on the other side. In our desire to show others the danger, we can drive them further away from seeing what's going on. And so we must remember that we cannot save anyone, we cannot change anyone; only ourselves. By living true to my own values, expressing them through my votes at elections, by the foods I purchase, by the entertainment I choose, these values are supported. Yes, life changes can be difficult, but we have seen how life is meant to be lived reciprocally. The longer I live, the more I realize what that means. Let's be here for each other. It's the most we can do!

"This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265: 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIC0cdblBog