Waking Up...

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We are waking up from our dream of separation! In this awakening, we are experiencing another level of living and are becoming more consciously intuitive in our daily activities. Whereas we used to think of "hunches" as meaningless feelings, we are now realizing they're whispers from divine Mind. Living life as the reflection of Love opens our thought to Oneness, and we see a world without judgment. People are dropping lifelong habits, and they're glad to see them go! And so it Is…

“The universe reflects and expresses the divine substance or Mind...” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 300:29-30

Peace Spreads as Quickly as Anger

photo credit: Gerry Toler

In these volatile times, perhaps you've witnessed anger spreading quickly in various situations. I’m convinced that peace spreads just as quickly! I once had a demonstration of peace quelling anger -- visibly, quickly, thoroughly. I was leaving work in the early evening, and as I started down a stairway across from Basin Park a man began to sing the beautiful Louis Armstrong hit, "What a Wonderful World". I stood listening to him and was filled with happiness and buoyant peace which was so encompassing that I barely noticed voices shouting to my left. When he finished, I glanced over at three people sitting on the wall and shouting obscenities directly at me. It was as though I couldn't comprehend what they were doing and I just kept smiling and looking directly at them, with this incredible feeling of Love still growing inside me. As I watched the young people and their angry faces, it seemed that they were deflating like balloons. All the anger was seeping out of them with a visible shift in their demeanor. I joyfully waved at them and went down the stairs. I'll never forget that palpable feeling of light displacing darkness. I'll bet they haven't either!

"Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 264:24-27

Singing Together While Apart

First Celebration Choir in 2017

In early 2020, we began a time of quarantine and isolation. Shortly thereafter, we saw people starting to find ways to be together while apart. I loved watching Italians singing from their balconies, and people standing on their porches playing violins and other instruments. The act of singing together has always been a balm for people, and we have many internet avenues available to keep us singing and dancing together, meditating, doing yoga, exercising and, yes, even choral singing! This is the 4th year of the existence and performance of our Celebration Choir here in Eureka Springs. They perform nine joyous, poignant pieces for the holidays, to go along with the Nine Lessons (as they're called in religious circles). This year, obviously we cannot have a live performance, but we can record them and have audio and video available to the public for the holidays -- and so we are. With the dedication of Sharon Parker and Ben Winn, this has been made possible through the use of singers' masks and limited rehearsal times. Watching the singers and seeing their eyes light up as they harmonize with each other is a wonderful thing, and I'm happy to be part of this beauty as I accompany them. I encourage everyone to make singing part of their holiday celebrations, whether on computers, or in parking lots with cars circled around. There is much joy to be had, so let's not forget to express it to one another! 

"Human hope and faith should join in nature's grand harmony, and, if on minor key, make music in the heart. And man, more friendly, should call his race as gently to the springtide of Christ's dear love. St. Paul wrote, 'Rejoice in the Lord always.\' And why not, since man's possibilities are infinite, bliss is eternal, and the consciousness, thereof is here, and now?" Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings 330:7

The Contagion of Happiness

happy succulents - 

PC: Aaron Springston

I read about an interesting experiment. Two people were placed face to face. One was instructed to smile as happily as possible, and the other was asked to retain a neutral look. In most of the cases, the person who was supposed to stay neutral couldn't keep from smiling, too. Happiness, joy, and peace are all spiritual attributes which shine forth through us as the experience of divine Love. They are infectious, don't you think? Let's broadcast this seed far and wide today and watch it grow!

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidence by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 264:24-27

Happy Pottering!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

"Pottering: A Cure For Modern Life", by Anna McGovern is a book I love without having read it -- and that's probably because I'm living it, as many of you are, too. One definition of pottering is this: to move around without hurrying, in a relaxed and pleasant way. That's just perfect! Wayne Dyer was fond of saying that we aren't human doings, we're human beings. He reminded us we don't have to be rushing around all the time, doing things constantly; that we are free to "be" and enjoy doing what we are led to do, independent of what we think we should be doing. I've always loved this way of thought and feel fortunate to have been able to follow this advice for most of my life. As I tell people when they ask how I'm adjusting to this new way of life: I've been practicing for this for years! I love pottering around the house doing chores and putting total attention on the so-called mundane tasks -- the same attention which I give to playing duplicate bridge online. Washing dishes holds a rainbow of sensory events which I now have time to savor, as did making the meal which gave me the dirty dishes. To sit down and read a favorite weekly news magazine is bliss; to practice the piano is heavenly. I look forward to reading Ms. McGovern's book, because her title tells me we know each other though we've never met. Happy Pottering!! 

"Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 230:12

The Sacredness of Daily Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

While watching a documentary on India, I found myself weeping. It wasn’t the beauty of the country or the people, although those could bring a tear, but it was their election. Every five years this democracy comes together to elect their leaders. The thing of beauty which caused emotion to well up was the diligence with which their election officials set up voting facilities. There is a place to vote every two square miles, even where the population is so scarce that only one person is going to vote. There is a man living in a temple in the middle of nowhere — literally. The only time he leaves his space is to vote, and there is a place set up just for him. The beauty of their elections overwhelmed me. This country is on its way up, developing solar farms for energy production, and building a democracy worthy of emulation. I pray we in the United States can understand the sacredness of daily life and the obligation we have to each other. Namaste...

"Truth should emanate from the pulpit, but never be strangled there. A special privilege is vested in the ministry. How shall it be used? Sacredly, in the interests of humanity, not of sect." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 236:2

Keeping It Simple

photo by Aaron Springston

The mass consciousness we swim in tells us we've done something wrong and can't be saved until we do a whole bunch of things right. Let's release all of those beliefs and concentrate on what feels true, right now, in this moment. Toward this end I will, at every possible moment, quiet my thoughts and allow Truth to permeate my being. It's there all the time, this Love which is God, this divine Love which supports us more surely than the swirling waters of mass consciousness. Our true consciousness is expressed most perfectly in two words: I Am. I think I’ll keep it simple today. Join me!

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done. If men would bring to bear upon the study of the Science of Mind half the faith they bestow upon the so-called pains and pleasures of material sense they would not go on from bad to worse …” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 202:3-9