StarGirl

Grace Vanderwaal in 2016 - America’s Got Talent

We’ve probably all had the experience of seeing someone who was so delightful that we immediately began to smile, perhaps to laugh. When I first saw Grace Vanderwaal on America’s Got Talent, she was 12 years old, played a ukulele and sang a song she had written herself. Her voice was so beautiful she got the golden buzzer and we all laughed and cried along with her. Now, fast forward a few years to the StarGirl Hollywood movie. I would not have thought of watching this coming-of-age film, but David Hoffmeister (one of my favorite Course in Miracles gurus) featured this film in a recent movie chat he had on youTube. It was delightful to see a semi-grownup Grace as one of my favorite book characters of all time! When my boys were young and we traveled quite a bit to soccer games, we listened to scores of books on tape. StarGirl, by Jerry Spinelli, was one of our favorites.  While this sweet movie won’t be up for any awards, it kept me smiling the whole time. And that’s worth a lot in my book! A link to Grace’s AGT performance in 2016 is included here, and the StarGirl movies can be found on Disney. We can all use some gentle entertainment, I think. Rock on, Grace …

https://youtu.be/eNxO9MpQ2vA

“Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the demands of the affections, and should never weigh against the better claims of intellect, goodness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:15

“To be wholehearted you must be happy. If fear and love cannot coexist, and if it is impossible to be wholly fearful and remain alive, the only possible whole state is that of love. There is no difference between love and joy. Therefore, the only possible whole state is the wholly joyous. To heal or to make joyous is therefore the same as to integrate and to make one. That is why it makes no difference to what part or by what part of the Sonship the healing is offered. Every part benefits, and benefits equally.” A Course in Miracles  T-5.in.2:1-7

Trust Your Self

Thailand Sunset

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Have you noticed people are making major shifts in their lives? The cool thing I've observed is how these are not painful changes, but beautifully flowing shifts which seem almost effortless in their perfection. I love seeing people coming alive with the excitement of doing things which bring them happiness and deep fulfillment! Whether it's moving to another part of the globe, or starting a new career, or "retiring" and finding that life is just beginning, people are changing their focus in major ways. We’re feeling free to follow our heart and move into the space of Love which fulfills our function. And how do we know what that is? Listen inwardly and trust yourSelf! (I suggest listening to the Bob Dylan song, Trust Yourself). 

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as [It] opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18-21

“Changes are required in the minds of God’s teachers. This may or may not involve changes in the external situation. Remember that no one is where he is by accident, and chance plays no part in God’s plan. It is most unlikely that changes in attitudes would not be the first step in the newly made teacher of God’s training. There is, however, no set pattern, since training is always highly individualized. There are those who are called upon to change their life situation almost immediately, but these are generally special cases. By far the majority are given a slowly evolving training program, in which as many previous mistakes as possible are corrected. Relationships in particular must be properly perceived, and all dark cornerstones of unforgiveness removed. Otherwise the old thought system still has a basis for return.” A Course in Miracles M-9.1:1-9

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