Keep On Singing, Dear Jean …

Marsha and Jean at Heart of Many Ways Event

Today I revisit a writing from two years ago. I first met this sweet woman when she and her husband would attend the Thanksgiving services at the Christian Science Society where I played the organ. The rest of the year, they were Presbyterians. I will be playing for her memorial service this week. Fly high, dear Jean!

____________________________________________________________

A dear friend’s son died today. He was in his 60s and his mom is 94. I don’t know if it’s any easier for a parent to lose a child at any stage of their life, but I do know sometimes it’s tougher to live with them than it is to lose them. After two decades of her son’s mental illness and alcoholism, she is tired. Her husband has been slipping into dementia the past few years. I think of him fondly, as he was the first excellent duplicate bridge player who was willing to partner with me when I returned to the game a few years back. He was a wizard with cards. My sweet friend has been holding her family together against all odds, and I hope she can relax more now, enjoying her husband of almost 70 years. It brings me joy to think of the happy, positive attitude she has sustained as long as I’ve known her. She knows the art of living: enjoy every moment, all the time, no matter what the appearance may be. Keep on singing, sweet friends …

“So-called mortal mind — being non-existent and consequently not within the range of immortal existence — could not by simulating deific power invert the divine creation, and afterwards recreate persons or things upon its own plane, since nothing exists beyond the range of all-inclusive infinity, in which and of which God is the sole creator. Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind’s infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 513:27-9

“You have the right to all the universe; to perfect peace, complete deliverance from all effects of sin, and to the life eternal, joyous and complete in every way, as God appointed for His holy Son.”
A Course in Miracles T-25.VIII.14:1

Joy Is A Song Of Thanks

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most delightful ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge, the eyes which light up — it brings a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart every time I see it. Joy, laughter, happiness: these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give these gifts freely, joyously, with no reservations or restrictions!

"Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:17-21

“Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness. Gentleness means that fear is now impossible, and what could come to interfere with joy? The open hands of gentleness are always filled. The gentle have no pain. They cannot suffer. Why would they not be joyous? They are sure they are beloved and must be safe. Joy goes with gentleness as surely as grief attends attack. God’s teachers trust in Him. And they are sure His Teacher goes before them, making sure no harm can come to them. They hold His gifts and follow in His way, because God’s Voice directs them in all things. Joy is their song of thanks. And Christ looks down on them in thanks as well. His need of them is just as great as theirs of Him. How joyous it is to share the purpose of salvation!”
A Course in Miracles M-4.V.1:1-15

Do All The Good You Can

Someone I admire said, “I don’t want my imagination to die before I do”. That’s the open secret to a happy life, don’t you think? When each day brings new adventure, we are joyous! And this adventure needn’t be something you’ve never done before, or something which others think of as exciting; it’s simply enjoying every moment of what you do, and not being afraid of a break in routine. And that’s an ah-ha moment! How often do we become disgruntled because our plans for the day are interrupted by an unexpected occurrence? These may be happy interruptions, such as a surprise visit from an old friend, or a necessary chore, such as changing a flat tire on the car; either scenario causes a readjustment of our plans. When we are able to face whatever may come our way, with an inexhaustible joy, life is fun! Imagination and creativity are directly linked to this ability to enjoy ups and downs, without even thinking of them as such. Rolling with the flow makes for a happy trip!

“The miracle is much like the body in that both are learning aids for facilitating a state in which they become unnecessary. When spirit’s original state of direct communication is reached, neither the body nor the miracle serves any purpose. While you believe you are in a body, however, you can choose between loveless and miraculous channels of expression. You can make an empty shell, but you cannot express nothing at all. You can wait, delay, paralyze yourself, or reduce your creativity almost to nothing. But you cannot abolish it. You can destroy your medium of communication, but not your potential. You did not create yourself.”

A Course in Miracles T-1.V.1:1-8

Reading is Fundamental

Throughout the decades, there have always been people who promoted the joy of reading. Librarians rode through remote areas on horseback, to lend books to people who had no way of coming to town. Book fairs and used-book sales are regular occurrences in many parts of the world. My book club supplies children’s books at a local food bank. Not only do these youngsters have the excitement of new books, but they are able to keep them and learn how a favorite book can be a friend. Reading develops critical thinkings skills, which is much-needed in our current times. I read an article about people in Pakistan who travel around reading stories to any children willing to listen. The director of this program, GoRead, says: “…purposeful storytelling builds a child’s character and brings out the traits for success in life.” And so, let’s support our public libraries and organizations which promote understanding of the written word! Our world needs us …

“Why should you condone insane thinking? There is a confusion here that you would do well to look at clearly. You may believe that you are responsible for what you do, but not for what you think. The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. What you do comes from what you think. You cannot separate yourself from the truth by ‘living’ autonomy to behavior. This is controlled by me automatically as soon as you place what you think under my guidance. Whenever you are afraid, it is a sure sign that you have allowed your mind to miscreate and have not allowed me to guide it.”

A Course in Miracles T-2.VI.2:3-10

“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 & Health Page 22

Wholeheartedly Happy

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

“Oh, that magic feeling; nowhere to go.” This line from a Beatles song has always captivated me. I’m sure it can be interpreted many ways, but I’ve always felt in them the coziness which comes from snow outside, with no place I have to go. It’s been delightful on this snowy day, as no one has driven in nor out of my dead-end street. Reading a book, while watching birds at the feeder, is the most perfect day I can imagine. Playing with my cats, watching them decide whether they like snow or not, was delightful. A FaceTime chat with my son and grandsons was the sweetest thing. Texts and chats with friends was a delicious treat. Thinking of all these things at the end of the day brings joy, and I look forward to sleeping and, hopefully, remembering sweet dreams. Oh, that magic feeling …

“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

“How little light or heat reach our earth when clouds cover the sun’s face! So Christian Science can be seen only as the clouds of corporeal sense roll away. Earth has little light or joy for mortals before Life is spiritually learned.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 548:9-14

Calling in Well!

Snow Messages of Love

We are having a lovely, snowy night in the Ozarks. It brings back memories of when my boys were young and we would be excited about enjoying a snow day. That wonderful, joyous excitement of knowing something different was in store for us, and we couldn’t wait to see what fun it would bring! Thinking of those days, and the breaking of our routine, reminds me of something Wayne Dyer taught me, which I passed on to my children. He tells a story of someone waking up, thinking about how wonderful they feel, then deciding they will call in sick to their work place. He suggested that we call in well! Luckily, my children attended a small, independent school here in Eureka Springs and so we would occasionally (once or twice a year) do just that! Whatever your day is spent doing, I hope you enjoy every little moment of it!

“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

“I saw the love of God encircling the universe and man, filling all space, and that divine Love so permeated my own consciousness that I loved with Christlike compassion everything I saw.”

"We Knew Mary Baker Eddy" Page 68

Joyous Entertainment

Grace Vanderwaal on America’s Got Talent 

We’ve probably all had an experience of seeing someone who is so delightful that we immediately began to smile and, perhaps, laugh. When I first saw Grace Vanderwaal on America’s Got Talent, she was 12 years old, and she played a ukulele, while singing a song she had written herself. Her voice was so beautiful that 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, had she not been playing the starring role. 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 their 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 are 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