Better Views of Humanity

Photo credit: Kailey Jones

When did you last tell a lie? We may tell “polite” lies, designed to protect loved ones’ feelings, or we might commit an indiscretion which is referred to as a white lie. But what about 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 taking a possession from someone — outright theft? 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

“The peace of mind which the advanced teachers of God experience is largely due to their perfect honesty. It is only the wish to deceive that makes for war. No one at one with himself can even conceive of conflict. Conflict is the inevitable result of self-deception, and self-deception is dishonesty. There is no challenge to a teacher of God. Challenge implies doubt, and the trust on which God’s teachers rest secure makes doubt impossible. Therefore they can only succeed. In this, as in all things, they are honest. They can only succeed, because they never do their will alone. They choose for all mankind; for all the world and all things in it; for the unchanging and unchangeable beyond appearances; and for the Son of God and his Creator. How could they not succeed? They choose in perfect honesty, sure of their choice as of themselves.” 

A Course in Miracles M-4.II.2:1-12

Who Are Your Heroes?

Marianne Williamson

Who are your heroes? After watching the movie “Hidden Figures”, which tells how three women were integral in getting the United States space program off the ground, my heroes are every woman who has continued to do her best in the presence of ugly racism. This movie helped me realize the depth of prejudice; the senselessness of racism and sexism. Every time this understanding reaches a deeper level within me, it becomes more difficult to understand its origins. How did we become a society which looks down on someone because of their skin color, gender, or social standing? Social standing, what the heck does that even mean? I look forward to the day we see people for who they are, appreciating qualities such as kindness, intelligence, integrity, morality, creativity, and such. My heroes today, specifically, are the women who are running for political office, speaking truth to lies, showing us the meaning of kindness and integrity through their actions. I’m sure we all have heroes in our own communities, those who walk the talk. Let’s write them notes, thanking them for their goodness and honesty —  because they probably don't know how valued they are!

"Ignorance, pride, or prejudice closes the door to whatever is not stereotyped." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 144:25

“Only honor is a fitting gift for those whom God Himself created worthy of honor, and whom He honors. Give them the appreciation God accords them always, because they are His beloved Sons in whom He is well pleased. You cannot be apart from them because you are not apart from Him. Rest in His Love and protect your rest by loving. But love everything He created, of which you are a part, or you cannot learn of His peace and accept His gift for yourself and as yourself. You cannot know your own perfection until you have honored all those who were created like you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-7.VII.6:1-6

A Second Chance To Be Kind

 

My hope for today is that everyone will love each other. Whether it's your child, spouse, friends, or strangers, just love them. A rather well-known seer once advised us that it's easy to love those who love you, but to love your enemies, to bless those who persecute you, that is the difficult task.  This advice is particularly pertinent today, when it seems almost everyone is determined to make someone an enemy. A dear friend told a story about herself in which she was terse with a loved one over a small act which made no difference in the scheme of life. During these days of high emotions and hateful rhetorical speech, we may become ensnared in the collective turmoil. So let's be aware that we might not be feeling our own emotions, but those being sold to us by people who will benefit from our angst and division. Whatever the case may be, let’s just love. It's not easy to understand each other under the best of circumstances, and with great unrest afoot, it can seem almost impossible. But it is not. Sometimes we may falter, but forgive yourself and begin again. We always get a second chance to be kind...

“Trials are but lessons that you failed to learn presented once again, so where you made a faulty choice before you now can make a better one, and thus escape all pain that what you chose before has brought to you. In every difficulty, all distress, and each perplexity Christ calls to you and gently says, ‘My brother, choose again.’” 

A Course in Miracles T-31.VIII.3:1-2

“Students are advised by the author to be charitable and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion and medicine, but to those who hold these differing opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing the way through Christ, as we understand it, but let us also be careful always to ‘judge righteous judgment,’ and never to condemn rashly.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 444:13-19

Run Toward Kindness

Gustav Klimt - Portrait of Beatrice Portinari, 1891

“Your empathy will be your salvation. When in doubt, run toward kindness.” Tennessee Williams

“Dream softly of your sinless brother, who unites with you in holy innocence. And from this dream the Lord of Heaven will Himself awaken His beloved Son. Dream of your brother’s kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes. Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave. Forgive him his illusions, and give thanks to him for all the helpfulness he gave. And do not brush aside his many gifts because he is not perfect in your dreams. He represents his Father, Whom you see as offering both life and death to you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-27.VII.15:1-7

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 11-16

Lending Ourselves to Each Other

Exhibit at Meow Wolf

Denver, Colorado

Numerous times during our known history, there have been great disruptions in the norm, usually brought on by drought or disease or other outside influences. Our world is experiencing one of those times -- perhaps the most urgent ever known. Each and every one of us have been practicing for this parenthesis in time and we are ready to do whatever we are called upon to do. I see within our small communities a gathering, a desire to know if our neighbors have a problem we can help solve, or a physical need we can meet — perhaps a helping hand with a chore, or simply a kind word. As a dear friend often says: We lend ourselves to each other. But many are afraid to do this, thinking everyone has nefarious ambitions, and this causes us to withhold ourselves. I don’t deny the existence of some scallywags out there, and we must use our intuition and back off if we get a bad "vibe", but let's learn to trust ourselves and, thereby, trust others, too. We’re all in this together …

"Abraham: Fidelity, faith in the divine Life and in the eternal Principle of being. This patriarch illustrated the purpose of Love to create trust in good, and showed the life-preserving power of spiritual understanding." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 579:10

“Trusting your brothers is essential to establishing and holding up your faith in your ability to transcend doubt and lack of sure conviction in yourself. When you attack a brother, you proclaim that he is limited by what you have perceived in him. You do not look beyond his errors. Rather, they are magnified, becoming blocks to your awareness of the Self that lies beyond your own mistakes, and past his seeming sins as well as yours.”

 A Course in Miracles W-181.1:1-4

The Art of Being

Pottering in the Kitchen

"Pottering: A Cure For Modern Life", by Anna McGovern is a book I love without having read it -- and that's probably because I'm living it, as many of you are, too. One definition of pottering is this: to move around without hurrying, in a relaxed and pleasant way. That's just perfect! Wayne Dyer was fond of saying that we aren't human doings, we're human beings. He reminded us we don’t need to be rushing around all the time, constantly doing; that we are free to "be" and enjoy doing what we are led to do, independent of what we think we should be doing. I've always loved this way of thought and feel fortunate to have been able to follow this advice for most of my life. As I tell people when they ask how I'm adjusting to retirement: I've been practicing for it for years! I love pottering around the house doing chores and putting total attention on so-called mundane tasks -- the same full attention which I give to playing duplicate bridge. Washing dishes holds a rainbow of sensory events which I now have time to savor, as did making the meal which gave me the dirty dishes. To sit down and read a favorite weekly news magazine is bliss; to practice the piano is heavenly. I look forward to reading Ms. McGovern's book, because her title tells me we already know each other — though we've never met. Happy Pottering!! 

"Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 230:12

“Then follow Him in joy, with faith that He will lead you safely through all dangers to your peace of mind this world may set before you. Kneel not before the altars to sacrifice, and seek not what you will surely lose. Content yourself with what you will as surely keep, and be not restless, for you undertake a quiet journey to the peace of God, where He would have you be in quietness.” A Course in Miracles T-13.VII.15:1-3 

The Disappearance of Oppression

Newton County, Arkansas

Photo by Tim Ernst

During my lifetime, I've seen oppression of various types evaporating. Admittedly, there are more walls waiting to fall  — but just look how far we've come! Despite these strides, a man told me that he was afraid to come to Eureka Springs. Of course, I asked him why. He said if we were having one of our "diversity" weekends he didn't want to be here. He assured me he had nothing against gay people, but he didn't want it “rubbed in his face”. This is a learned behavior of prejudice on his part and has nothing to do with the way he felt when he came out of the womb into this life. As we release what we have come to believe, all those things which we’ve been taught to think, we open the way for divine Love to guide us. Love truly is the liberator!

“Can the world seem bright and clear and safe and welcoming, with all my past mistakes oppressing it, and showing me distorted forms of fear? Yet in the present love is obvious, and its effects apparent. All the world shines in reflection of its holy light, and I perceive a world forgiven at last.” 

A Course in Miracles W-293.1:3-5

“The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. 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 and Health Page 225:14-22