Up Is Down...

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

In these rapidly changing times, it often seems as though down is up and up is down. Things we have come to think of as constant may be changing daily, and what we thought of as important yesterday may pale in the face of our new realizations. I’ve often said I don’t like to have strong opinions because they close my mind to anything else, and I’m beginning to understand how true this is. If I believe something should be a certain way because it always has been that way, then I’m going to be in for a surprise. Every day, when we wake up something is different than when we went to sleep. During the past few years, we’ve all witnessed some interesting events which we could never have dreamed of in our wildest fantasies (or nightmares!). But we are learning to take a deep breath and listen with an open heart and mind before jumping on our soapbox and broadcasting our opinions. Moment by moment, I’m learning to find peace within, and for that, I am grateful.

“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:21

Exchanging Human Concepts for Divine Consciousness

 

Lake George Reflection - Georgia O'Keeffe

It's my understanding that everyone sees a rainbow differently, according to where they are when they view it. Isn't that a perfect metaphor for everything from politics to the clothes we put on our bodies? Where I am in thought is how I will perceive something. Things which I may think of as being for the good of everyone, someone else may see as the downfall of society. It's just a matter of how you look at it. A line from a movie comes to mind in which an octogenarian tells us that life is like a ride on a roller coaster. She says that some people think the ride is frightening and stressful; others see it as fun and exciting. I love this reminder, and there are so many times in our experience where we could go many directions with our perception of a situation. How exciting to test my understanding as I go through this day!

“The human mind will sometime rise above all material and physical sense, exchanging it for spiritual perception, and exchanging human concepts for the divine consciousness. Then man will recognize his God-given dominion and being." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 531:10-14

All This -- and Cake, Too!

Some days are so chock-full of wonderful things happening and awful news revealing itself that it feels as though we’re on a rollercoaster! Today was one of those days. But the universe sent me guidance before I even knew I needed it. When I went to my church organist gig at 7:30 this morning, I left a youtube video on the tv for my dog, who thinks he has separation anxiety. It was on one of my higher-thought channels so he would hear good things. When I came back, the first words I heard were from a woman talking about her life changing in recent years, in that she didn’t seem to be as consumed by sadness or overwhelmed by upsetting circumstances. She also said she felt joy as much as ever, and sadness, too, but didn’t depend on outside influences to find peace and contentment, no matter what was going on around her. Shortly after hearing these words and thinking about them while fixing brunch, phone calls began to come in. There was happy news and terribly sad news. One woman seemed almost psychotic in her worries, and a call from overseas brought great gladness to my heart. A talk with my son, a visit with my sister — well, let’s just say there were at least 8 phone calls today bringing me varying degrees of joy and sorrow. And then, a woman showed up at my door with a piece of five-layer chocolate cake! She said she had seen me on my porch when she was making deliveries for her restaurant, and she just wanted to bring me cake! There is no end to the wonder of this life!

“Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 66:11

Isn't It Interesting ...

 

photo credit: Richard Quick

Isn't it interesting… When I hear this phrase coming out of my mouth in a sanctimonious tone, I've found it to be an indicator that I'm getting ready to give a speech based on strong opinions and unnecessary emotions. Watching people in leadership roles, I've noticed something similar with them, too. Their words seem to be ego-based, their ideas headstrong, and their demeanor unhappy. Then I look at my friends who are following the law of Love, scattering contagious joy as they "follow in the way appointed". This comparison gives me renewed resolve to break away from the bonds of learned behavior and let myself follow Truth's calling. And if I err and jump up on my high horse to pontificate, thank goodness I get to choose again!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #317 I follow in the way appointed me.
​"​I have a special place to fill; a role for me alone. ²Salvation waits until I take this part as what I choose to do. ³Until I make this choice, I am the slave of time and human destiny. ⁴But when I willingly and gladly go the way my Father’s plan appointed me to go, then will I recognize salvation is already here, already given all my brothers and already mine as well.” (https://acim.org/acim/en/s/738#1:1-4 | W-317.1:1-4)

Seeing Myself in Everything

 Perceptions are a frequent topic in these writings. Today I’ve been thinking about a specific event and how it might be wonderful for some and disappointing, even upsetting, for others. Today there was a much-needed rainstorm. The trees are clapping their hands! The farmers and gardeners are basking in the beautiful sound of raindrops splashing off of everything. It’s a time of peace and beauty in the Ozarks. But there are many people who were looking forward to an event in Basin Park this evening. After a year-and-a-half of pandemic-induced isolation, many folks were excited about hearing exciting and fun music, along with the inevitable dancing which goes along with this type of event. We human beings are interesting creatures, what with our expectations and emotional needs. Hearing these opposite reactions and thinking about life drew me to these words of Thich Nhat Hahn. I hope to put them into practice today. Namaste …

"Continue practicing until you see yourself in the most cruel and inhumane political leader, in the most devastatingly tortured prisoner, in the wealthiest man, and in the child starving, all skin and bones. Practice until you recognize your presence in everyone else on the bus, in the subway, in the concentration camp, working in the fields, in a leaf, in a caterpillar, in a dew drop, in a ray of sunshine. Meditate until you see yourself in a speck of dust and in the most distant galaxy." - Thich Nhat Hanh

We're All This, Together

 

unknown photographer

We're all in this together, although it appears as though we view things through different eyes than our neighbor. We seem to be satellites, rotating around something unseen, sometimes floating in unison, often bumping into each other and throwing our orbit out of sync — but we're all in this together. Let's leave out the word "in": We're all this together. This togetherness sometimes manifests itself as groups of people who commingle for the joy of being with each other. We may have book clubs, and study groups, and sewing circles, and various groups of people who come together in communion. This fellowship has been sought-after since the beginning of time. Personally, I have no interest in being a part of any group simply to be with others. There must be a communication which surpasses the ordinary. I want stunning honesty, inspiring exchanges, Love shared. From this demonstrated Oneness with each other as the experience of God, salvation is realized as the means, the end, the Only.

"Knowing the Science of creation, in which all is Mind and its ideas, Jesus rebuked the material thought of his fellow-countrymen: 'Ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?' How much more should we seek to apprehend the spiritual ideas of God, than to dwell on the objects of sense!" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 509:28-3

Marianne Williamson's Facebook Post

 

this was from her facebook page, link below...

"The gap between the beauty of the natural world and the mess that we have made of it is excruciating. I saw a picture today of a woman lovingly holding her little girl in her arms, a reminder like so many of how wonderful life can be. It is not God, but us, who have messed things up so badly.

From assaults on our democracy to the increasing devastation of climate change to the unnecessary suffering of so many tens of millions, even billions of people due to the recklessness and greed of only a few, I can understand how those without faith in a higher power could fall easily into cynicism and despair.

But I believe in miracles. I believe in the power of awakening. I believe in the radical transformation of energy. I believe in us. I believe that people are good. I believe in the power of love. I believe in the power of forgiveness. I believe that the Red Sea parted. I believe that Jesus rose. I believe that God will always have the final say.
I believe we can harness all that, and use it to transform the world.

Are we in trouble? Oh yes we are. But who among us has not been in trouble before? Who among us has not seen signs that we had better change direction? And who among us has not seen the miraculous changes that come about when we sincerely do?

I am in deep contemplation, as I’m sure we all are, as to how I might best help. I do what I can, as I’m sure you do as well. Somehow, I just know it in my soul, we are going to change the world….in time." Marianne Williamson

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=marianne%20williamson