Life Master

I became a life master today. As I write those words, I realize they sound a lot cooler than the actuality is. It is a designation by the American Contract Bridge League to show that you know what you’re doing. I took up this game in the early 80s, and quit when other obligations took me away from it. I didn’t think I’d ever play again, but when I retired I discovered there are three duplicate bridge groups in our area, and I’ve been active in them up until the pandemic changed the way we sit together at tables. Also, in order to become a life master, you must have gold and silver points, which are usually attained only at larger tournaments. But when walk-in club play was limited, things heated up online — and I found out how much I truly love that form of competition! Today, I earned the last 1.5 silver points needed to attain this ranking. I never thought it would happen, and I’m over-the-moon thrilled!

“A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 128:13-19

Expressions of Joy

 

Twenty years ago, it seems I spent much more time every day in prayerful study and contemplation than I do now. Or maybe that’s not so. When I stop to think about it, nowadays every interaction is an expression of Love, with a fearlessness which grows daily. These seeds were planted and are still being nurtured by moment-to-moment expressions of joy. No matter what we do on a daily basis, this Love can be expressed in many ways – actually, in every way! And by loving yourself, you’re loving everyone. By living fearlessly, you’re spreading this confidence to all. I will go forth with loving gratitude today and expect only Good.

“If we look to the body for pleasure, we find pain; for Life, we find death; for Truth, we find error; for Spirit, we find its opposite, matter. Now reverse this action. Look away from the body into Truth and Love, the Principle of all happiness, harmony, and immortality. Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health  Page 260

Good Friends

I got a phone call this evening from a couple of old friends who had spent the day together, hiking in the snowy woods and enjoying each others’ company. We got to know each other 30 years ago when our children became friends. There is nothing like sharing laughs with people you really, truly like; women with whom you’ve shared years of memories and good times. We can tell each other anything, including the good, bad, and even ugly. I feel so fortunate to know women like these two, and particularly fortunate because the years have brought close connections from many directions. The gratitude I feel for all of you is boundless! Thank you for Being …

 "You rest within the peace of God today, and call upon your brothers from your rest to draw them to their rest, along with you. You will be faithful to your trust today, forgetting no one, bringing everyone into the boundless circle of your peace, the holy sanctuary where you rest. Open the temple doors and let them come from far across the world, and near as well; your distant brothers and your closest friends; bid them all enter here and rest with you." A Course in Miracles W-pI.109.8.

 

On Joy and Sorrow

Kahlil Gibran - 1883-1931

     Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
     And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
     And how else can it be?

     The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
     Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?
     And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

     When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

     When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
    
     Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
     But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

     Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

     Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
     Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
     When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall." 

Kahlil Gibran

Bring in a New World With Joy!

Our friend, Shanna, often posts thoughts which come through John Smallman. I particularly liked every word she put on Facebook today. In it, he speaks of 2021 being a time of “stuff” coming up, and 2022 is the year of it falling away. What does that mean to you? To me it means the reality of our existence will be emerging without all the disguises we have given ourselves. We can live joyously as expressions of Love, leaving behind false idols. While reading the words of “Saul through John Smallman”, I kept imagining the people who use software to make themselves look better in photographs they post online. Most of us have been taught to pretend in order to get along in the world. We don’t speak plainly, because we may be ostracized from polite society. On the flip side, we think we should be offended if someone doesn't agree with us. These reactions are learned behaviors; not honest feelings and thoughts. Joy is the key to facilitating the new world we all long for! As Shanna’s post ends: “Be You! There is no one else you can be, and give thanks for your magnificent and divine purpose as a human on Earth now, brilliantly and beautifully assisting in the collective awakening process. That is why you are precisely where you are…” Every thought is important. Be happy!

“Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity.” Mary Baker Eddy- Science & Health Page 571:18-21

Ordinary Things ...

 

Having spent the day doing ordinary things with my good friend, Richard, the first thing I saw online upon getting back home was this wonderful sentiment. It says it all ...

“Love never loses sight of loveliness. its halo rests upon its object. One marvels that a friend can ever seem less than beautiful." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:3

Meaning of Life?

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We hear many statements regarding our right to privacy. This privacy which people value is more than giving out email addresses or putting photos on social media. People seem to value keeping their thoughts and beliefs private, their emotions secret, their inner-most desires to themselves. For the past decade or so I have bared my soul through this daily writing, not to mention the sharing I do on Facebook. I openly tell of my love as candidly as regurgitating my shame, probably eliciting comments from others of "too much information"! But that's okay, because by talking through times of turmoil, I heal my mind and heart -- hopefully giving someone else permission to do the same for themselves. A couple of days ago, I mentioned inexplicable events with inanimate objects and how I've wondered about the metaphorical meaning. I've begun to question my sanity in the ongoing series of happenings, but I don't think I'm "losing it", although something is happening. Am I being contacted by aliens or loved ones who have passed? Am I being directed to do something? I'm not sure what it's about, but it has crossed my mind that I may be close to passing on from this plane. If that happens, it's okay with me. If I'm hanging around here a while, that's okay, too. But please know my life is an open book and I'm happy when/if you talk about me! Love to all...

"Life is deathless. Life is the origin and ultimate of man, never attainable through death, but gained by walking in the pathway of Truth, both before and after that which is called death." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 487:3