Getting Better All The Time

 

Dogwood Close Up - photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend from California called to tell me his exciting news: At the age of 74, the last two yearly visits to the optometrist have shown his eyesight to be improving. He also told of discontinuing cholesterol  medication a few years back because of side effects consisting of back pain and confusion. He was surprised to find out his numbers were going down, rather than the increase his doctor had predicted. He wanted my opinion on why this was happening. I laughed and told him what I’ve noticed about him in the last five years is that he is a much more laid-back guy now, happier, less worried than when I met him. He also is gaining an understanding of metaphysics and quantum thought. I told him he needn’t worry about why, but to be grateful and continue his walk on the road of realized consciousness, being aware and joyful each step of the way. I loved hearing his story!

“Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 418:20-22

Work Ethics

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photo credit: Steve Shogren

We humans can be a judgmental lot. It seems our favorite hobby has become having strong opinions and expressing them self-righteously. A couple of threads on Facebook caught my attention and caused me to think deeply. Both have to do with working: whether people will work if there is a job to be had, and reasons they may not take a job if available. What has caused me to ponder are those who say people won’t work if they can get more on welfare. In my almost seven decades, I have not known anyone who would not work if it is possible. Now, I have known people who take a job and it turns out their physical condition is such that they cannot handle doing it. I’ve watched a loved one do a hard day’s work and then it would take three days to recover from it. Then there are people who are mentally unable to be around others. Reasons such as PTSD and agoraphobia keep many from gainful employment, and these problems could be interpreted as being “not willing to work”. Then there are instances when a person will have to pay as much in child care costs as they can bring in from any job they can do. I’m sure I could think of at least ten reasons why working can be next to impossible. This pandemic has helped us to see outside the structured work ethics we have set for ourselves, and this is a great thing indeed! We are expanding our ideas concerning the meaning of “gainfully employed”. There is much for us to learn, but one thing I’m sure of: it’s time to examine everything we’ve always believed to be true. Simply because things have always been done a certain way doesn’t mean they always should be done that way. Change is good and I’m thrilled to witness this evolution of thought!

"The conceptions of mortal, erring thought must give way to the ideal of all that is perfect and eternal. Through many generations human beliefs will be attaining diviner conceptions, and the immortal and perfect model of God's creation will finally be seen as the only true conception of being." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 260:7

Strength in Loving Energy

​I’ve mentioned my book club a number of times in past writings. We are a group of women who have met for over fifteen years with a book as the center of our monthly discussion, but that’s just a reason to get together and enjoy each others’ company. We have some who think logically from the standpoint of science, and some who live intuitively from the heart. We have teachers, a yoga instructor, a veterinarian, business women, cattle and turkey farmers, a librarian — actually, a single definition isn’t enough for any one of these women. They are multi-talented and diverse. We have incredible discussions and enjoy one another more than I can say. While I feel this group of women could solve all the problems of the world — and actually feel like we do that every time we get together! — I believe this feeling comes because despite our various opinions, we all live from Love. Everything we do is guided by something larger than what our human reason can encompass. As I bask in the glow of being with them, I will remember that problems come from a belief in separation, and I thank these women for helping me to feel whole. Namastè ~~~

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 173:25-28

Universal Harmony

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

How many times have you felt we are on the verge of the realization of universal peace and harmony? I know I have a number of times. January 1, 2000 felt like a tipping point. Although I don't remember specific dates other than that one, I know there have been many occasions when it simply "felt like" this was it; that we would forget differences and only remember unity and the fact that we are all One. I felt this again today. Any unrest and dis-ease going on around me seemed like a cry for Love. Really, truly, I saw people reaching out for something secure in a material world full of insecurity and fear. We are all the same in the reality of Spirit. The "reign and rule of universal harmony which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen" is waiting for us to cast off fear and embrace it. What do we have to lose? 

"Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven,—the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 208:20-24

Never Fear The Consequences

photo credit: Aaron Springston

​We may feel alone in the desert when we speak truth to error. Perhaps we feel we're the only one when we take a stand for morality and goodness in our political system. Maybe you've been verbally attacked for telling people the truth about GMOs and organic food. Perhaps a friend has resisted your efforts to recognize and change racism. And what of data mining? Are we being controlled every time we get on our computer? This is the age where the CEO of Facebook tapes over the camera on his laptop in an effort to insure privacy. I mention these things because it’s very important to speak truth, to take a stand for morality, and never fear potential consequences. 

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 329:21

A Smile On Your Face

photo credit: Steve Shogren

Every day brings unexpected events, and I’ve come to believe those can either be stressful or exciting, even fun! This morning I accompanied a fine singer to a small town in Missouri to provide music for a funeral. When we walked into the little church, a barefoot priest showed us to the modest musical instrument we were expected to use. As it turned out, the acoustics in this building were the worst my friend, a classically-trained performer, had ever witnessed. Nevertheless, we provided the grieving congregation with a B+ service and no one got hurt. Reflecting on this event, I realize if we had concentrated on the problems, we could easily have become overwhelmed by them. But we did the best we could with what we had to work with, and finished feeling satisfied by the result. Isn’t this true of everything we face every day? “You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart.” Carole King


“Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven, — the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page

Let Your Golden Self Glow

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photo credit: Aaron Springston

There’s a fine documentary about Joseph Campbell called Finding Joe. Its introduction tells the story of a golden Buddha in a small town in Thailand. The townspeople learned there were marauders on their way to plunder the village, and they knew the golden statue would be taken or destroyed. In order to preserve their beloved statue, they covered it in mud, making it look worthless and ugly. It worked, and no one bothered the Buddha. As years went by, there came a point when no one remembered the statue was made of gold. One day when a young man was meditating at the stone statue’s feet, a piece of the concrete fell off and the gold showed through. Everyone came together to chip away the stone and reveal the true beauty. This is a lovely metaphor for humanity. We are born golden. But when we are toddlers, we are put into categories of male, female, black, white, smart, and not so much. We are blocked off from our true Selves. Then something comes along and knocks off a piece of our armor — it may be a personal tragedy or some other trauma. Once we see a glimpse of the gold which we truly are, we don’t want to do anything but uncover the whole picture. We’re not content to stay stone, because the gold is so much more fun! Fear often holds us back from this transition, but we're starting to realize it's always better than staying mired in the mud. Namaste...

“Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free.”  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225:2-4