Lead With Love

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It seems that every day another group of people show up on social media and/or news networks claiming to know things that no one else knows. They have supposed facts which negate things we have heard come out of people’s mouths, and once again we are left not knowing what to believe. And that is the rub: Belief. Believing. Therein lies the problem, don’t you think? I am striving today to stop believing anything, but rather to — as it’s put in Christian Science —know the Truth. As a dear ACIM friend often says, Lead with Love. I hear her voice every time I decide to fight back against insane belief and to pontificate at those who disagree with me. Lead with Love. Thank you, Ramona, for helping me stay with the only reality — Love.

"PSALM XXIII [Divine love] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Love] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [love] leadeth me beside the still waters. [Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [love] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [love] is with me; [love’s] rod and [love’s] staff they comfort me.

[Love] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [love] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [love] for ever." Science & Health Page 577:4-18

Who Do You Support in This Election?

Today I spoke on the telephone with a dear, long-time friend. We had a good visit and part of our conversation included how we were going to cast our votes this year — the physical ways we planned on doing it — and, necessarily, we touched on the importance of this year’s election. We both agreed it was the most serious choice we have had in our lifetime. As we discussed the importance of discovering the truth on issues, I visualized a little fact-filled bubble above our heads, hers with Trump’s words, mine with Biden’s. I would happily give up news from MSNBC if she would give up Fox’s stories! I say this jokingly, but we all must delve beneath the veneer of our favorite media entertainment news. I would like to suggest we all read a biography, or listen to an audiobook, about the lives of our presidential candidates. Let’s discover some independent facts about them and let our hearts and minds lead us toward what our country, our world, needs right now and in the future. We have 60 days, which is plenty of time to do this. And perhaps we could also think about our favorite president of all time and read a biography of him, too! That would be a good point of comparison, don’t you think? If you don't know which one to choose, I'd suggest you get suggestions from your library, and then they will make sure you get the book(s) with little to no effort on your part.

"Being is holiness, harmony, immortality. It is already proved that a knowledge of this, even in small degree, will uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals, will increase longevity, will purify and elevate character." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 492:7

Don't Carry That Weight

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I remember a wonderful story which relates to choosing joy rather than pain. In this story, we are asked how much a glass of water weighs. Then we are told it doesn't matter what its weight is, it matters how long we hold it. If we hold it a minute, it's light. If we hold it an hour, our arm and/or hand may become uncomfortable with the weight. If we hold it all day, our arm will feel paralyzed. This scenario is a metaphor for holding onto worries and fears. If we keep them with us, we become convinced that they are impossible to overcome. We are paralyzed from the carrying of this weight. All we have to do is put the glass down to be released from our burden! Then we are free to feel the joy which is innately ours as a child of Love.

“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 265:23-30

Keep Looking Up!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Fall is in the air. It is September. I've always loved this time of year, and am particularly looking forward to the changes. There's always a feeling of setting down something heavy, cleansing, releasing the mugginess which has been hanging around for months, breathing deeply and joyously the crisp air, getting ready for freezing weather to release us from biting bugs and dying leaves. Gosh, since I put it that way, it doesn't sound so delightful! But the difference in humidity, the excitement of something big about to happen, the changes -- I look forward to this shift. We are still holding the light for those who choose not to see. It is there for all, an open secret to happiness. May we keep looking up! Love to you all...

"The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation, and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:4

Aghast at Nothingness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

In between feelings of contentment and peace, I am sometimes blindsided with questions about people's behaviors and reactions. When you see beautiful instances of people exhibiting their highest good, then see the opposite in the next instance -- well, it gives pause. In this world where we want to analyze everything and find answers to questions we don't even know how to ask, it's tempting to become angry in the face of divisive behavior, bullying actions, and accusations from those who should know better. But let's not, okay? I'm terribly tired after three days of an online nationwide duplicate bridge tournament. It was wonderful to lose myself in the world of cards, with nothing to think about but the coziness of something I know so well. I was reminded of a favorite book, The Solitaire Mystery. A man is alone on an island with a deck of cards, and he plays solitaire all the time -- until his cards disintegrate from use. So he begins to imagine the deck. And then one day they come marching over a rise and he's meeting his friends face to face. I always loved that book for its questioning of reality and blending of possibilities. Have a good week, Friends...

"We may well be perplexed at human fear, and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 563:4

Be A Lamp

Today I have had many people concerned about me, and I thank you for caring. Rest assured, I am fine -- better than fine! I played 72 hands of bridge today in four sessions in a nation-wide tournament. It was great! So have a beautiful Sunday, enjoy your loved ones, and keep wearing your masks!

Wear Your Mask

art of J. Clement Wall
judyclementwall.com

I now personally know someone who has this virus which is causing us to change the way we think of everyday activities. The 28-year-old man who woke up with symptoms three days ago is a dear friend whom I work with in the three congregations where I play the organ on Saturday and Sunday. He got it from his sister late last week, and neither of them knew until after he had been recording a service to be aired on Sunday, and had been the cantor for services at two branches of another local church. I was with him at all three of these services, and he picked me up in his car for the early morning Sunday service where he sang in the balcony and I played organ. Thankfully he was trying out a new singers' mask, which would be used at a school where he teaches choir. The main thing I am realizing about this disease is the guilt and shame felt by people who get it, knowing they may have passed on something which could kill someone -- or in this case, many someones. I immediately drove to a neighboring metropolis and was tested, and the results were negative. The whole process has been eye-opening for me, but let me say that I am impressed with the clinics which are doing the testing; also, the health department in our state, which has done a thorough and timely follow-up to all this. Let us not forget to love our neighbors, remember those who die alone in their hospital beds because their family cannot be there with them, and cherish our friends who have been affected in any way by the events of this year. Namaste, dear Friends...

"Stand porter at the door of thought. Admitting only such conclusions as you wish realized in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously. When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it be air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, then perform your office as porter and shut out these unhealthy thoughts and fears. Exclude from mortal mind the offending errors, then the body cannot suffer from them." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 392:24