News in the 21st Century

"I'm Chet Huntley, and I'm David Brinkley." How I long for those days of hearing their voices and never doubting they were reporting facts! It was, after all, the news. In the 1980s, the Christian Science Monitor started a cable television news network. They were the first, and no one wanted to watch news all day long. I wonder if news channels would be different had we seen what it meant to report with this intent: "to injure no man but to bless all mankind". Our political polarization in the 21st century is obscene. News channels say they are telling the truth, but their lies are blatantly transparent, only requiring a modicum of research to prove they are playing us, feeding our fears and insecurities. Some news stations report facts, but only ones they want us to hear. At least one tries to be middle of the road, but the powers that be malign them so much that many have no idea what to believe. When I hear an outlandish headline, I do a quick search on that exact headline; it is either true or it's not. I occasionally go to Snopes.com just to see what sort of craziness is making the rounds. My point is, anyone can find out if something is true or if it's a story with the purpose of scaring us or turning us against someone or a group of people. It's not difficult!

"When error strives to be heard above Truth, let the 'still small voice' produce God's phenomena. Meet dispassionately the raging element of individual hate and counteract its most gigantic falsities." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 249

Lift Your Voice & Love Loud!

Art of J. Clement Wall

What do you do when you hear someone say something racist, sexist, ageist -- something that lays like a rock in your memory? When I was a child, I distinctly remember other children saying mean things to and about a girl. She didn't seem to have much going for her. To our way of thinking, she wasn't pretty or smart. But I liked her. I was only 8 or 9, and I was afraid to refute the words of a wad of kids who felt the need to be mean to her. I never forgave myself for that. But I hope I'm rectifying it now! After that time, I began to speak up in the face of injustice. Of course, I went overboard and sometimes would challenge others and defend things that didn't need my defense. Hopefully, I'm learning when my words are needed, as opposed to keeping my mouth shut and letting someone dig a hole for themselves! Whatever the case, this chalkboard art from J. Clement Wall speaks to how I feel today. "Lift Your Voice & Love Loud"! May I have the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it -- or not!   

"Who would defend himself unless he thought he were attacked, that the attack were real, and that his own defense could save himself? And herein lies the folly of defense; it gives illusions full reality, and then attempts to handle them..." A Course in Miracles

Time for a Course Correction

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I play keyboards for a Catholic mass on Saturday afternoon. Today’s homily started out with the priest telling us that in order to get into heaven, you will need a letter of recommendation from the poor. He then spoke at length about charity. Then I came home and heard Marianne Williamson tell a revised version of the Good Samaritan story. The Samaritan was walking down the road and came upon a beggar, whom he gave alms. This happened a number of times, until he asked himself, Why are there so many beggars? This I feel is the question — don’t you? Why, in the richest country in the world, do we have so many people in need?  It’s time for a deep, meaningful, course correction in our nation.  It is time for all thinking people to ask the important questions and insist on answers. We must ask ourselves how we have been complicit in world problems. Whether I am concerned with environment, government, religion, whatever societal sickness is in my face, it is time for a moral awakening. And it begins with me.

“Forgiveness paints a picture of a world where suffering is over, loss becomes impossible and anger makes no sense...The world becomes a place of joy, abundance, charity and endless giving. It is now so like to Heaven that it quickly is transformed into the light that it reflects.” A Course in Miracles

A Force For Good

Melinda Gates and Women

I read a wonderfully succinct sentence distilling the largest problem we have facing Western democracies: “We are feasting on our misunderstanding of others.” Wow! The article went on to say that mass migrations are raising questions about race and culture. Economies are shifting into new forms that risk leaving some people behind. And our appetite to misunderstand others warps these challenges into things which seem so much worse! Our politicians are fueling misunderstanding amongst us. Melinda Gates was given as an example of someone who is transforming tough problems. For instance, she went into Senegal and found the good in people and concentrated on growing it. Through this, they have made huge strides towards stopping child marriages and genital mutilation of their women. We too can find the good in situations and bring it to the surface. What we put our attention on grows. Let’s be a force for good! 

"Man walks in the direction toward which he looks, and where his treasure is, there will his heart be also." Mary Baker Eddy

Crazy Energy Out There...

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

It seems every September, I’ve forgotten the crazy energy which bounces off our Ozark Mountains when thousands of bikers spill over into Eureka from a big event in a neighboring town. The atmosphere changes, and if I don’t remember to guard against it, I become a part of it. This morning, I found myself feeling testy and overwhelmed by nothing other than regular chores and duties. Add the biker energy to the confusing thoughts due to the political problems we are swimming in — well, it’s enough to make me jumpy, to say the least! I think I’ll double-down on meditation and quiet study, limit time outside my cocoon, and realize that we needn’t be a part of anything unless we choose to be. Namaste (even to bikers and politicians!)

“Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity.” Mary Baker Eddy

To Speculate or Not

Unknown Origin

We live in a speculative society, don’t you think? Today a neighbor called me and said, Do you know what’s going on with the pig people? (This was in reference to the folks who had a pot-bellied pig here in town, prompting much ado until the city council finally declared them a farm animal and prohibited them.) “No”, I said, “I do not”. Whereupon she launched into a speculation of what may have happened, based on the fact there was yellow tape on the sidewalk in front of their house. And now, as I overhear Kevin listening to the Rachel Maddow show, I am again struck by the endless speculation of our species! Perhaps I simply have an under-active imagination, but I’d rather just wait and find out what has happened when the dust settles. I don’t think I have a point to this writing. If you have any thoughts about this, let me know!

“This is not a course in philosophical speculation, nor is it concerned with precise terminology. It is concerned only with Atonement, or the correction of perception. The means of the Atonement is forgiveness. The structure of ‘individual consciousness’ is essentially irrelevant because it is a concept...” A Course in Miracles

Ancient Hatred - Present Love

A beautiful thing happened on Linwood Avenue today. Two of my neighbors have been pretending the other doesn’t exist for a long time, but today they spoke and expressed sorrow to each other for their breach in friendship. As with everything, this could not have been orchestrated any better than happenstance created it. It seems my street has been riddled with ill health, depression, and misunderstanding. But most of us have kept on keeping on, being kind and helpful to each other and holding the space for Love to bridge the chasm. Any healing is cause for celebration, don’t you think? I was a court reporter for three decades and the saddest development I saw in those years was families fighting over stuff -- land, pots and pans, whatever. Any rift brought on because someone wants something someone else has — well, it’s a tragedy in my opinion. May we all witness healing in  our relationships and those around us! Celebrate with me these moments!

“The holiest of all the spots on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” A Course in Miracles