Tough Decisions

photo credit: Nick Franchi

Out of all the tough decisions we must make in this world, one of the most difficult is to have a pet put to sleep. No one wants to do this. But no one wants their beloved friend to suffer either. Perhaps believing there is no death makes this easier, do you think? I read an interpretation of the commandment “thou shalt not kill” which said it actually meant “thou cannot kill”. I rather like that one! The energy which we are continues on forever, although perhaps not in the form we like to imagine. Reincarnation, life continuing in another form, a different plane of reality, an alternate universe — well, we have many ideas of what the afterlife may hold — or not! And so what of humans? Is this decision all right for dogs but not for me? More people are accepting the alternative of right to death laws which have been enacted in some states. Death seems as individual as life, and I’m not sure there is a blanket answer for what is right and wrong. But I know what feels right, and I hope to not be frightened of it.

“In the illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) that they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief.” Mary Baker Eddy 

Memorials

Vietnam Memorial
photo credit: Aaron Springston

Most of us have an idea of what we would like to happen with our bodies once they are no longer animated by our thoughts. We may want to be buried in a casket or cremated; we may want a headstone telling who we were, or maybe we want our ashes buried in the flower garden. I’ve spent a lot of time walking in cemeteries and they are fascinating places. I wonder about the people’s stories and who loved them enough to make these lasting memorials. Nowadays, there are Facebook pages devoted to those who are gone, with people remembering their birthdays and “heavenly birthdays” and sharing other memorials. Whatever the remembrance, it’s all an expression of the love manifested in their lives. I wish I’d given my parents more flowers when they were here, and I’m grateful that my sweet son picks bouquets for me when he sees a pretty stand of wildflowers. Every loving kindness is a tribute to Life, don’t you think? Moment by moment, memories are made and love is shared.

"Thou to whose power our hope we give, 

     Free us from human strife. 

Fed by Thy love divine we live,

     For Love alone is life;

And life most sweet, as heart to heart

Speaks kindly when we meet and part."

Mary Baker Eddy - the poem, Love.

Truth Marches On

My parents, Bryan and Anita Havens
circa 1935

Fifty years ago my favorite album of all time was released: Abbey Road by the Beatles. And I have dear friends in town for their 50th class reunion this weekend. While I could be amazed by the way a lifetime passes by in a heartbeat, I’ve chosen to remember the simple ways my parents taught me to live. Even though it wasn’t very exciting to be an only child of older Christian Science parents, I am extremely grateful for the education I received at their hands. For years we bought nothing other than flour and sugar; everything else was raised and canned or frozen. I learned how to grow food and how to drive an old Chevy truck with three gears in the column. I learned to love reading and spent many hours hiding in the back field with my dog. But I also remember that they fell for the “poison is safe” rhetoric pushed on us by the pesticide companies. I have vivid memories of my daddy with one of those hand-pump sprayers full of poison, chasing the flies away from the watermelon at a picnic. But they also showed me how to be content, to know a loving God, and to be grateful for everything. This is why I look back at the last five decades with a smile of thanks. I’m certain they would have learned to be better stewards of the land today than they were then — just as I try harder every day.

"You may know when first Truth leads by the fewness and faithfulness of its followers. Thus it is that the march of time bears onward freedom's banner. The powers of this world will fight, and will command their sentinels not to let truth pass the guard until it subscribes to their systems, but Science, heeding not the pointed bayonet, marches on." Mary Baker Eddy 

Treat Yourself as Well as Your Neighbor

Mongolian Mountaintop
photo credit: Aaron Springston

I know someone who is being asked to move from her current apartment. She has been quite upset over this major life change and every day I hear a different problem and the improbability of its resolution. She is stuck in a helpless, hopeless mode and it’s become quite the drama for her. Today’s worry was how much work it would be to move and she didn’t know if she could face it. Now, this woman is extremely involved in helping at her church and projects with other friends and acquaintances. She has the energy and drive which marks a true go-getter. It suddenly came to me that she should treat herself as well as she does everyone else. If she was helping someone else move, she’d have the joy and energy which could transform a chore into a happening! I made her promise to imagine a friend in need, and see herself helping. When she crosses my mind, I’ll see her as happily expectant!

“A miracle is a service. It is the maximal service you can render to another. It is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. You recognize your own and your neighbor's worth simultaneously.” A Course in Miracles

An Informed Citizenry

Workshop at Writers' Colony

Extra, extra, read all about it! Spread the good news! These sayings bring certain things to mind; things we may not think of nowadays when we pick up our phones and see the Apple News headlines. I used to get morning news from the radio. When my boys were small, I'd listen to the radio while we ate breakfast, but then I realized how horridly sensational most of it was, so I stopped listening. The Today Show was my mother's favorite, but most television news has gone the way of gossip magazines and such. More and more, we depend upon each other for news. I know I can trust my former newspaper man's take on the news, and I count on him to inform me when I'm not strong enough to do it myself. In talking to him, I've realized how important it is for each of us to educate ourselves and pass it on. So let's read, listen, learn, and then write! Write letters to the editor, or post your take on things to social media -- heck, pass out leaflets if you must!  And may we all heed Thomas Jefferson's words: "Good government flourishes in the sunshine, and our nation's founders knew that. 'A press that is free to investigate and criticize the government is absolutely essential in a nation that practices self-government and is therefore dependent on an educated and enlightened citizenry.'" 

Give A Good Day!

A dear friend gave some fine advice: Instead of worrying about having a good day, put your attention on giving a good day. What a wonderful perspective this gives to life! It also reminded me of something that happened when my gallery was open. People would ask how my day had been and I’d say, Great! Almost always they were referring to whether I’d made a lot of sales, which never factored into my answer. One day, a lady brought a stained glass ornament up and showed me that it was broken. I thanked her and she said, I’m so sorry to ruin your day. Of course, I laughed. If I had to make money to make my day, or if a broken item would ruin my day — well, most days would be so-so at best! Thank you dear heart-centered friend for the wonderful saying, which I will now use: Are you giving a great day today?

“Protect all things you value by the act of giving them away, and you are sure that you will never lose them. What you thought you did not have is thereby proven yours. Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable.” A Course in Miracles

Just Breathe

What a difference a day makes! I've been encouraging a dear friend who has been going through tough times, feeling suicidal, hopeless, deeply sad. Something shifted in her attitude yesterday and today she's almost happy again! I encourage everyone who is feeling depressed, or desperate, to know there is an end to it. Plant some flowers, even if you have no energy. Take a walk, even if you want to stay in bed. Get some sunshine, even if you'd rather stay in a deeply-curtained room. Talk to friends, when you're rather be alone. Watch a funny movie, even if you want to cry. But don't be afraid to cry, and savor every moment of the grief. It, too, is life. Feel everything to its ultimate end. Be grateful for all these things, and remember to breathe.

"Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." Mary Baker Eddy