Friends, Inexplicably Bonded

 Today my book club discovered that one of our group was missing in action. None of us realized we had not heard from her in quite a while, and it seemed to hit us all at once that something was wrong. After frantically checking with her family, it turns out she has had a physical problem and is in a facility which is helping her recover. This happening brought home to me the importance of connections and being there for each other. Our group of friends have been close for more than 15 years, brought together by the small independent school where our children attended, and kept together by our love of books and each other. Years ago I read a quote by Joel Goldberg which has stayed with me: “Groups of people who share spiritual Love are bound together for eternity.” My friends are my family, and I love you …

"I think some people are just inexplicably bonded. Drawn by forces beyond their own comprehension, they have no choice but to gravitate toward one another. Destined by fate to keep crossing paths until they finally get it right.” L.B. Simmons

"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

Every Little Thing

Grand Baby Torin

The comfortableness of days passing. I’ve been savoring the gentleness of life. During our recent ice storm, I loved the feeling of being in a cocoon, warm and happy. Every morning, I look forward to waking up slowly, enjoying hot coffee and reading, while petting a cat. There is great joy to be found in gathering ingredients to make soup, chopping vegetables, smelling spices and deciding which ones to add to the mix. The coziness of word games is almost more than I can bear. Most of this life I’ve been happy, but never like this. Every little thing is exquisite. 

“The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and the ego will not prevail against it. Amen.” From A Course in Miracles, Text Chapter 4: The Illusions of the Ego. Love without Conflict

Dickinson — I Had No Time To Hate

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

I had no time to Hate -
Because
The Grave would hinder me -
And Life was not so 
Ample I
Could finish--Enmity -

Nor had I time to Love -
But since
Some Industry must be -
The little Toil of Love -
I thought
Was large enough for Me .

Emily Dickinson

Imagine All The People…

Art by J. Clement Wall

JudyClementWall.com

 When the attacks of 9/11 happened more than two decades ago, I remember thinking it was an opportunity for our world to come together in peace, to stand united against aggression of all sorts, to form a bond which would neutralize all which is unlike good. I see the attack by Russia on the Ukraine as another pivotal point where we have a chance to do the right thing. While reviewing what is happening and why it has come about, I also have come across all the propaganda proclaiming this selfish dictator is doing a good thing. At this point, I see more people every moment recognizing what is happening, comparing it to the power plays which have been happening in this country, and realizing it must be stopped if the people of this world are to have a chance of thriving in peace and happiness; helping each other through times of trouble rather than locking their doors and looking the other way. Imagine all the people, living life in peace …

“This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. These disturbances will continue until the end of error, when all discord will be swallowed up in spiritual Truth.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:12-20

War and Peace

 While contemplating peace, these writings were brought to my attention. 

“One night a feast was held in the palace, and there came a man and prostrated himself before the prince, and all the feasters looked upon him; and they saw that one of his eyes was out and that the empty socket bled. And the prince inquired of him, 'What has befallen you?' And the man replied, 'O prince, I am by profession a thief, and this night, because there was no moon, I went to rob the money-changer's shop, and as I climbed in through the window I made a mistake and entered the weaver's shop, and in the dark I ran into the weaver's loom and my eye was plucked out. And now, O prince, I ask for justice upon the weaver.' 

Then the prince sent for the weaver and he came, and it was decreed that one of his eyes should be plucked out. 

'O prince,' said the weaver, 'the decree is just. It is right that 
one of my eyes be taken. And yet, alas! both are necessary to me in order that I may see the two sides of the cloth that I weave. But I have a neighbour, a cobbler, who has also two eyes, and in his trade both eyes are not necessary.' 

Then the prince sent for the cobbler. And he came. And they took out one of the cobbler's two eyes.

 And justice was satisfied.” Kahlil Gibran

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. " John F. Kennedy

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Mary Baker Eddy 

“No one attacks without intent to hurt.This can have no exception. When you think that you attack in self-defense, you mean that to be cruel is protection; you are safe because of cruelty. You mean that you believe to hurt another brings you freedom. And you mean that to attack is to exchange the state in which you are for something better, safer, more secure from dangerous invasion and from fear.” A Course in Miracles — W-170.1. 

Conflict Transformation

 

Basin Park -Eureka Springs AR 

Photo credit: Richard Quick

Conflicts between countries lie heavily on our minds these days. It can be a helpless feeling to watch things unfolding which seem so wrong and also out of our individual control. I've been thinking about conflicts because my nextdoor neighbor has shifted into high gear with his accusations toward me. I pity the people who walk down our dead end street if he happens to be outside, as he begins bombarding them with stories of buzzards and their evil deeds, often shouting my name and declaring it's all my fault that the city hasn't done something about it. Whatever the case, I'm reminded of a time when I worked downtown. As I was leaving work, I heard a man sitting in Basin Park, playing a guitar and singing "What A Wonderful World". As I watched him, I felt totally encompassed by happiness and love. When he finished, I noticed there were three young people sitting on the wall shouting obscenities in my direction. I was so blissed out that it didn't occur to me to be upset in any way and I just looked at them in the same way I'd been looking at the singing man.  It was as if they were deflating before my eyes. They had been all blown up with anger, but it began to seep out of them and we were left gazing at each other. I waved and nodded my head toward them as I walked down the stairway to my car. I am absolutely certain this is the way to transform conflict. And so every time my thoughts turn toward my ranting neighbor or world leaders who seem to be out of control, I will find a way to raise my vibration joyfully and send every bit of it toward them! Namaste ...

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:31-4

Are You Hypnotized?

 How many of you have been hypnotized? If asked, most of us would probably say we have not. But, what of the hypnotism of ritual and repetition? Perhaps after hearing the same commercial for high blood pressure medication five times a day, we acquiesce and have high blood pressure. Daily news programs pound certain “facts” into our brain until we begin to agree and tell our friends they should, too. The songs we listen to, the television we watch, the podcasts we believe, aren’t they all forms of hypnotism? Personally, I am in love with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. As with any indulgence, I’m aware it has the opportunity to turn into a bothersome addiction. Perhaps I was hypnotized into watching this show in the first place? But if I allow it to replay in my mind, or if (heaven forbid) I decide to do one of her standup comedy routines at the next gathering of people I’m at — well, that could be a problem. I’m not suggesting we stop enjoying all the fun things we like. I’m simply reminding myself to be aware of what’s happening when I fall into the trap of repeating, repenting, or reruns of Mrs. Maisel. Life is supposed to be fun, so let’s keep on having it! Also, let’s be aware those cravings we’re feeling may just be the result of mesmerism. We, the people, are sharp enough to know the difference…

"We say that one human mind can influence another and in this way affect the body, but we rarely remember that we govern our own bodies. The error, mesmerism -- or hypnotism, to use the recent term -- illustrates the fact just stated. The operator would make his subjects believe that they cannot act voluntarily and handle themselves as they should do. If they yield to this influence, it is because their belief is not better instructed by spiritual understanding." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 402:20