One Decision at a Time

 

Art: Ruth Evans Art

From Mary Reynolds’ “We Are the ARK”

“It’s time to go to work to save the sovereignty of our land, our water, our air, and all the creatures we share this planet with. The earth has become a barren green, brown, and scorched desert, but we can be the ones to create the island oases in this desert. These oases will be the seeding grounds for our new story. They will be sanctuaries for as many creatures as we can fit into them, safe havens for the magic and abundance in the natural world. They will become the ark for the flood of extinction that is already upon us. We are the last frontier and the last generation with enough time left to save this planet, by the skin of our teeth.

One person can effect such big change in this world, simply by inspiring change all around them.

One person, one patch of land, one decision at a time.

~ Mary Reynolds from “We Are the ARK - Returning Our Gardens to Their True Nature Through Acts of Restorative Kindness”

“The Garden of Eden, or the pre-separation condition, was a state of mind in which nothing was needed. When Adam listened to the ‘lies of the serpent,’ all he heard was untruth. You do not have to continue to believe what is not true unless you choose to do so. All that can literally disappear in the twinkling of an eye because it is merely a misperception. What is seen in dreams seems to be very real. Yet the Bible says that a deep sleep fell upon Adam, and nowhere is their reference to his waking up. 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.3:1-10

“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 96:21-24

With Apologies …

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

It is difficult to express what I’m trying to say in a short paragraph, and sometimes I fail miserably. It seems as though yesterday was one of those times, as this morning I had a response from someone who interpreted my words to mean I want people to ignore the plight of our planet and just be happy. I have apologized to him, and I apologize to you.  My goal had been to address the question of, “Do you want the problem or the answer?” The reason I suggested my fatalistic friend be happy and grateful for every little thing is because he is so miserable. It’s not necessarily climate change he’s given up on, but people as a whole.  He laments life and seems to have no desire to be proactive. And so I suggested he do something to free his mind, hoping that would free up space for something to  get in there other than his circular thinking on problems. A friend and educator once had a poster on her wall which told us she only wanted to hear about the problem as an identifier; after that, look for solutions. I love that. Namaste 

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are ‘not as other men’? During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke. The wrong lies in unmerited censure, — in the falsehood which does no one any good.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-4

“By recognizing spirit, miracles adjust the levels of perception and show them in proper alignment. This places spirit at the center, where it can communicate directly.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.30:1-2

You May Be Right About That

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

I got a phone call today from a rather fatalistic friend on the west coast. He was lamenting the state of the world and predicting this was the end of humanity. As I listened to him, my thoughts went back to a video from David Hoffmeister, a teacher of A Course in Miracles, wherein he asks us, “Do I want the problem or do I want the answer?” My friend wasn’t looking for answers, he simply wanted someone to agree with him. Another thing Mr. Hoffmeister advised in his video was that many people are not ready to hear truth and it’s necessary to meet them where they are. Following his advice, I said something I often say when I disagree with someone: “You may be right about that.” I listened for a while as he presented more horrific scenarios, then ended our conversation by saying the best thing we can do is to be overflowing with joy; to be grateful for every little thing and to express it though happiness. He said, “You may be right about that.” Ha!

“Little child of God, you do not understand your Father. You believe in a world that takes, because you believe that you can get by taking. And by that perception you have lost sight of the real world. You are afraid of the world as you see it, but the real world is still yours for the asking. Do not deny it to yourself, for it can only free you. Nothing of God will enslave His Son whom He created free and whose freedom is protected by His Being. Blessed are you who are willing to ask the truth of God without fear, for only thus can you learn that His answer is the release from fear.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.VIII.7:1-7

“Imperfect mortals grasp the ultimate of spiritual perfection slowly; but to begin aright and to continue the strife of demonstrating the great problem of being, is doing much.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 254:12-15

Beautiful Women

The Fabulous Virginia - photo credit: John Rankine

This morning I had the honor of playing organ for a celebration of life, and I’m still feeling elated! The well-loved woman had been Eureka’s first woman president of the Rotary Club and the multi-talented owner of a fabulous antique shop (only two hats of many she wore). While listening to people’s words about her, my mind visited two other women I know and love. One is pictured here and she once made national news by stealing Baby Jesus from the crèche in Basin Park. Her granddaughter thought it would be a good idea and Virginia agreed! This photo is from a Sunday visit to church and then lunch at a local restaurant. Another matriarch of Eureka Springs is a personal hero of mine. She is always cheerful and helpful, giving people a boost when they need it, and now that her mobility requires a wheelchair she is receiving that helping hand from many others. She lives an active life of service and is as beautiful as the first day I met her three decades ago. At one time someone suggested we should have a calendar featuring the beautiful white-haired women of Eureka. I must say I agree!! Here’s to all of us who keep on doing what we do best, despite physical and mental impediments. Cheers!!

“How beautiful indeed are the Thoughts of God who live in His light! Your worth is beyond perception because it is beyond doubt. Do not perceive yourself in different lights. Know yourself in the One Light where the miracle that is you is perfectly clear.”
A Course in Miracles T-3.V.10:6-9

“Even Shakespeare’s poetry pictures age as infancy, as helplessness and decadence, instead of assigning to man the everlasting grandeur and immortality of development, power, and prestige.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 244:27-32

Trust Issues

 

Trust  issues. These words used to be heard only in reference to a romantic break-up, but now it seems to be a national  topic.  People we have learned to trust suddenly feel frightening — i.e., policemen, politicians, preachers. Sometimes we have a tough time trusting our friends and loved ones. I know people who speak in derogatory terms about their children and their spouses. What is this thing we call trust? Does it truly originate in someone else, or does it come from within ourselves? Perhaps we don’t trust others because we don’t trust ourselves, or do we not trust ourselves because we don’t trust others? It all seems terribly complicated, so I’m questioning my beliefs and understanding surrounding trust: what it means, where it starts, where it ends. Perhaps it’s like love, and there is no beginning nor end, although there often appears to be a finite amount to  be allocated. I suppose I’m looking at this from a material view and I should practice what I preach, looking beyond human feelings and fears into the infinite realm of Love.  Be gentle with yourselves when you become caught up in the drama of daily life. Turning to "higher ideals of life and its joys" (as quoted below) is where I want to live today. 

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-12

“There is a distance you would keep apart from your brother, and this space you perceive as time because you still believe you are external to him. This makes trust impossible. And you cannot believe that trust would settle every problem now. Thus do you think it safer to remain a little careful and a little watchful of interests perceived as separate. From this perception you cannot conceive of gaining what forgiveness offers now. The interval you think lies in between the giving and receiving of the gift seems to be one in which you sacrifice and suffer loss. You see eventual salvation, not immediate results.” 

A Course in Miracles T-26.VIII.2:1-7

Intentions Multiply

           Photo credit: Aaron Springston             

Wayne Dyer told us that we can't feel bad enough to make anyone feel better; we can't be confused enough to un-confuse one person; we can't get sad enough to bring joy to a single being on this planet. These statements were made in a talk having to do with wanting to feel good, and they can be found in his book The Secrets of the Power of Intention. Our intentions multiply, so when we hear about an injustice and become depressed or overwhelmed.    by the situation, we are doing nothing to assist those in need, but we are doing something to bring sadness into our own lives. I know one dear woman who cares so much for the earth and its inhabitants that she cries every day, more than once, when she hears tragic stories about events. This is what Wayne Dyer means when he says, "You can't feel bad enough to make anyone's life better." Lowering our own vibrational energy lowers everyone's, and raising our level of joy affects the world in kind. There are many things we can do physically to help those in need, and we will find our individual path to do so. But as many well-known seers have said in different ways: When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.

“You are indeed essential to God’s plan. Just as your light increases every light that shines in Heaven, so your joy on earth calls to all minds to let their sorrows go, and take their place beside you in God’s plan. God’s messengers are joyous, and their joy heals sorrow and despair. They are the proof that God wills perfect happiness for all who will accept their Father’s gifts as theirs.”
A Course in Miracles W-100.4:1-4

“The true idea of man, as the reflection of the invisible God, is as incomprehensible to the limited senses as is man’s infinite Principle. The visible universe and material man are the poor counterfeits of the invisible universe and spiritual man. Eternal things (verities) are God’s thoughts as they exist in the spiritual realm of the real. Temporal things are the thoughts of mortals and are the unreal, being the opposite of the real or the spiritual and eternal.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 337:20-28

Love Must Triumph Over Hate

When we think of extremist religious groups, perhaps the Islamic group al Qaeda comes to mind. Because Jesus was a man who spurned violence as much as he turned away from riches and power, we think of Christianity as a medium for peace and love. Unfortunately, this is not always true. The teachings of Jesus were simple: love your neighbor as yourself and God above all else. In the past few years, we have discovered that many people in our country, who proclaim themselves to be Christians, are waging violence because they think God is telling them to do so. It is beyond my ability to grasp this idea. We see some pastors and political leaders leading their followers down dead-end paths of hatred and violence. And for what reason? Our current president is a devout Catholic. The Reverend Raphael Warnock, newly elected senator from Georgia, is a Baptist minister. Why would Christians -- or anyone -- be opposed to good people simply because they are of a different political party than they espouse? I hope we can all remember that Jesus did not mean to start a religion; he came to teach us the way to peace, how to love without judgment, and to be empathetic to the plight of others. I pray for the day we can free ourselves of political parties and religious sects, allowing the purity of living from the heart without the ritual and rule of power-hungry leaders. Namaste...

"The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs. Love must triumph over hate."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 43:27

“A further point must be perfectly clear before any residual fear still associated with miracles can disappear. The crucifixion did not establish the Atonement; the resurrection did. Many sincere Christians have misunderstood this. No one who is free of the belief in scarcity could possibly make this mistake. If the crucifixion is seen from an upside-down point of view, it does appear as if God permitted and even encouraged one of His Sons to suffer because he was good. This particularly unfortunate interpretation, which arose out of projection, has led many people to be bitterly afraid of God. Such anti-religious concepts enter into many religions. Yet the real Christian should pause and ask, ‘How could this be?’ Is it likely that God Himself would be capable of the kind of thinking which His Own words have clearly stated is unworthy of His Son?”
A Course in Miracles T-3.I.1:1-9