Choices

Photo credit: Judy Kavan

From Ugly Bunny Garden

We have so many choices these days! From the time we wake up and decide which tea to drink, there are a myriad of choices every minute of the day. It seems as though the choice of joy or pain would be an easy one, wouldn’t you think? But making wholesome choices aren’t always easy. One day at the farmers' market, I had a conversation with a couple of people who said that good food was a luxury which they could not regularly afford. This caused me to consider the choices we have. If a person quits smoking, that frees up money for organic, fresh food. It was tempting to ask how much they spent on alcoholic beverages. There are all sorts of expensive luxuries, such as Starbucks coffee, which could be exchanged for a farm-fresh salad. Perhaps if they did a little research on how to easily prepare food, they would be prompted to do so. There's a book called "This Organic Life" where the author explains in detail how almost anyone with a small backyard can grow enough vegetables to feed themselves and their family. The main point of my rant today is that we most always have a choice. As we are told in A Course in Miracles: Don't like your choice? Choose again!

“As vapor melts before the sun, so evil would vanish before the reality of good. One must hide the other. How important, then, to choose good as the reality!” Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 480:31-2

“The world has not yet experienced any comprehensive reawakening or rebirth. Such a rebirth is impossible as long as you continue to project or miscreate. It still remains within you, however, to extend as God extended His Spirit to you. In reality this is your only choice, because your free will was given you for your joy in creating the perfect.” A Course in Miracles T-2.I.3:7-10

Frightening Perceptions

 

Ozark Morning

Photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend in Sacramento, California just now posted to Facebook that the fireworks sound like bombs. She speculates they are the illegal kind. Someone ran amok today and opened fire on an Independence Day parade in Illinois. Every day there is a shooting incident of some sort, many of them so heinous we can’t even imagine them happening. And it seems more and more dogs and cats are frantically frightened by the sounds of simulated gunfire. I’m sure the real deal scares the bejeezus out of them, too. While I am extremely grateful that my little village did not have a fireworks display this year — and, now that I think of it, I haven’t heard one bang or pop on my woodsy dead-end street — I know not everyone is so lucky. Many soldiers suffer from the trauma of fighting. It’s my understanding more than 20 veterans kill themselves every day in America. Years ago, I was involved in Oneness Blessing training. We were taught to be a conduit for divine Love. I don’t think it requires a course, and if you have the desire to wrap those who are frightened and lost in Love, it is done. Namaste, dearest friends. Let’s keep on keeping on, okay?

“Remember what was said about the frightening perceptions of little children, which terrify them because they do not understand them. If they ask for enlightenment and accept it, their fears vanish. But if they hide their nightmares they will keep them. It is easy to help an uncertain child, for he recognizes that he does not understand what his perceptions mean. Yet you believe that you do understand yours. Little child, you are hiding your head under the cover of the heavy blankets you have laid upon yourself. You are hiding your nightmares in the darkness of your own false certainty, and refusing to open your eyes and look at them.” A Course in Miracles T-12.II.4:1-7

“As frightened children look everywhere for the imaginary ghost, so sick humanity sees danger in every direction, and looks for relief in all ways except the right one. Darkness induces fear. The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming. The way in divine Science is the only way out of this condition.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 371:11-20

The Breath of Freedom

 

Independence in Eureka Springs

Photo credit: Richard Quick

On this day of celebrating the independence of these United States, I'm reminded of something from Eckhart Tolle's book, "A New Earth". He speaks of collective consciousness being more powerful than individual thought. He cites instances of groups of people doing things which one alone cannot. He also tells how some of the things countries do would be thought of as insanity if one person were committing the action — i.e., wars, genocide, violations of human rights. I feel we are nearing the tipping point of higher consciousness, with more people every moment desiring the freedom which comes from peace and harmony, shown through compassionate living. Every thought is important, so remember to love each other emphatically — and vote in November for like-minded candidates! Happy Independence Day indeed!!

"A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon’s mouth. Love is the liberator." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225:16-21

“In the service of the right mind the denial of error frees the mind, and re-establishes the freedom of the will. When the will is really free it cannot miscreate, because it recognizes only truth.” A Course in Miracles T-2.II.2:6-7

Living Fearlessly

Aaron & Torin

Today our dear friend, Ramona, posted to social media a memory from their friend, William Symes. It bears repeating … 

“Becoming Fearless: The courage to live life boldly needs to be cultivated. There is a difference between reckless abandon or adolescent impulsivity, and spiritual courage. To walk the path of consciousness means to live in a world where we see our role in healing suffering and evolving humanity. To live fearlessly means that we abandon the childhood fantasy of being ‘taken care of’ by someone else. It means that we understand that we are the caretakers. To live fearlessly means that we quit ‘dumbing down’ in order to get approval. We quit responding passively to the predators of the world. We seek consciousness at every opportunity and do not despair at the gravitational pull of the masses. We live in service to the betterment of humanity and all sentient beings: to boldly confront unconscious behavior both within us and outside of us: to effectively limit the bad behavior of those we encounter in the world, and to provide hope where it is lacking.”

Aligning Perceptions With Truth

 

When did you last tell a lie? We may tell “polite” lies, designed to be kind to others, saving our loved ones feelings. These can fall under the category of little white lies. But what of a lie told to benefit yourself, without caring who it hurts or what harm it causes? And what of cheating? Maybe you moved your Monopoly piece too many squares during family game night, but how about taking goods and services from people and refusing to pay for them, or maybe outright taking possessions from someone? I don’t know many, if any, people who do this. Everyone I interact with has a higher sense of integrity and a moral standard which precludes such actions. Actually, most people I know would never consider lying or stealing or cheating, be it a small indiscretion or a major event. It always comes as a surprise to me when I witness blatant misconduct in public officials, movie stars, ministers — anyone, anywhere. I remind myself constantly that everything is either expressing Love or calling out for love. And so I shall not look the other way, and I will do my best to answer that call. Namaste...

"Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:5

“Miracles are examples of right thinking, aligning your perceptions with truth as God created it.” A Course in Miracles T-1.I.36:1

Beam Me Up!

Photo taken from a Buffalo River site

Tonight two of my neighbor-friends were sitting on the front porch with me and, as we chatted, something extremely bright flashed in the sky. It was behind me, but was bright enough the sky I was facing lit up, too. As we talked about the possibilities of its origin, I remembered a photo someone had posted to social media showing a smoke ring and a bright light. Of course this led to a discussion about extraterrestrial life and the possibility of visitors from far, far away. Earthlings have always been fascinated with this possibility, and a goodly proportion of our population have seen something they cannot explain — or they explain it as an alien being sighting. I have never had the honor of seeing one of these events, but am not averse to it happening. I was reminded of something Isaac Asimov wrote decades ago. I don't have the exact quote, but it was to the effect that we, as humans, would not realize our unity until life was discovered on another planet; then it could be us against them. Realizing we’re all doing the best that we can, I hold to the hope that once we know better we’ll do better. 

“A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need correct. This sense of separation would never have arisen if you had not distorted your perception of truth, and had thus perceived yourself as lacking. The idea of order of needs arose because, having made this fundamental error, you had already fragmented yourself into levels with different needs. As you integrate you become one, and your needs become one accordingly. Unified needs lead to unified action, because this produces a lack of conflict.” A Course in Miracles T-1.VI.2:1-5

“It is neither Science nor Truth which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human understanding of the divine healing Principle as manifested in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth, — of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 12:10

Facing Change Fearlessly

 

David Inshaw - She Did Not Turn, 1974.

This quote by Meister Eckhart caught my attention today: “And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” In looking back at the new beginnings in my life, they were the best of times. Giving away practically all my possessions and moving to Eureka Springs, changing our lifestyle in a major way with this move, was by far the best decision I ever made. I’ve watched friends limit their happiness because they were afraid of change. One man loved his little dog so much that when she died he wouldn’t get another one, because he couldn’t stand the pain. We all know people who won’t fall in love because they are afraid of disruption and pain coming into their lives. One man talked his wife into not having children because the world was too awful and he felt it would be wrong to bring babies into it. I’ve always wallowed in sadness when the situation is presented. It seems to help me move through it more thoroughly if I honor the feelings, embracing them and finding the glimmers of joy. Every animal I’ve loved has shown me the meaning of eternal Life, as has every friend who has passed out of sight. Love is worth anything we must walk through, as it helps us to understand its power and grace. And I am grateful …

“Today accept Atonement, not to change reality, but merely to accept the truth about yourself, and go your way rejoicing in the endless Love of God. It is but this that we are asked to do. It is but this that we will do today.” A Course in Miracles W-139.10:2-4

“The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 561:1