Never Upset For the Reason I Think

photo credit: Aaron Springston

As life would have it when we are struggling with something or someone, the answer to our dilemma is trying to find us. One of our neighbors has exhibited some behavior which we find upsetting, perhaps even disturbing. As I was pondering my feelings about this, I opened my email and found a forwarded newsletter from our friend, Jim Young. It's from The Embrace, and the topic of this particular emailing is getting in touch with your real feelings about things we deem upsetting. Of course, as ACIM Workbook #5 reminds us, We are never upset for the reason we think. In sitting and pondering how I really feel about this man and his actions, I'm afraid for him; afraid that he has fallen into a dark void; afraid that he has become separated from divine Love. Hum -- is this even possible? No, it is not. We may think that is true, he may even think that's true, but it never can be reality. I leave you with these words from A Course of Love, which I will ponder as I go to sleep. 

"Now we listen to feelings. Now we listen to feelings and understand what they have to say to us. Now we listen with a new ear, the ear of the heart. Now we recognize the thoughts that would censor our feelings, calling them selfish, uncaring, or judgmental. We examine. And we realize it is our thoughts and not our feelings that are selfish, uncaring, or judgmental. We realize this because we realize the sacred space we have become. Our space is the space of unity. It is the space of ease because thoughts are no longer allowed their rule." Day 12 of A Course of Love

Why Are We So Polarized?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I just read an article saying that 79% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans overestimate the level at which the other side dehumanizes them. By a large margin, voters on either "side" hold false beliefs about what the other party really thinks of them. At this time when our country faces urgent challenges, we need to find our common ground and work together to solve these issues. So why in the world are we so polarized?? I've never understood political parties. Shouldn't we all be for the good of the people? When I would say that to my parents decades ago, they would tell me what most people would tell me today: Everyone has different ideas of what that good is. Good grief! I remember a word we don't hear much about anymore: compromise. At some point, give and take came to be thought of as flip-flopping or a sign of weakness. It's become "my way or no way" for a lot of people, and it's not working. Let's join together with no thought other than what needs to happen for our citizenry to thrive, for our world to continue to be the paradise that it is, and for evolution to be an upward movement rather than a nosedive and implosion. I know we can do this! Life is Good. Everyone wants good for themselves and their loved ones. And we are all One. Namaste...

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 340:23-29

Going to the Mountains is Going Home

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of over-industry and the deadly apathy of luxury, they are trying as best they can to mix and enrich their own little ongoings with those of Nature, and to get rid of rust and disease.” ― John Muir, Our National Parks

Something Invincible, Within

photo credit: Aaron Springston

"He said, 'In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger -- something better, pushing right back." Albert Camus 

Lead With Love

graphic of unknown origin

It seems that every day another group of people show up on social media and/or news networks claiming to know things that no one else knows. They have supposed facts which negate things we have heard come out of people’s mouths, and once again we are left not knowing what to believe. And that is the rub: Belief. Believing. Therein lies the problem, don’t you think? I am striving today to stop believing anything, but rather to — as it’s put in Christian Science —know the Truth. As a dear ACIM friend often says, Lead with Love. I hear her voice every time I decide to fight back against insane belief and to pontificate at those who disagree with me. Lead with Love. Thank you, Ramona, for helping me stay with the only reality — Love.

"PSALM XXIII [Divine love] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Love] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [love] leadeth me beside the still waters. [Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [love] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [love] is with me; [love’s] rod and [love’s] staff they comfort me.

[Love] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [love] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [love] for ever." Science & Health Page 577:4-18

Who Do You Support in This Election?

Today I spoke on the telephone with a dear, long-time friend. We had a good visit and part of our conversation included how we were going to cast our votes this year — the physical ways we planned on doing it — and, necessarily, we touched on the importance of this year’s election. We both agreed it was the most serious choice we have had in our lifetime. As we discussed the importance of discovering the truth on issues, I visualized a little fact-filled bubble above our heads, hers with Trump’s words, mine with Biden’s. I would happily give up news from MSNBC if she would give up Fox’s stories! I say this jokingly, but we all must delve beneath the veneer of our favorite media entertainment news. I would like to suggest we all read a biography, or listen to an audiobook, about the lives of our presidential candidates. Let’s discover some independent facts about them and let our hearts and minds lead us toward what our country, our world, needs right now and in the future. We have 60 days, which is plenty of time to do this. And perhaps we could also think about our favorite president of all time and read a biography of him, too! That would be a good point of comparison, don’t you think? If you don't know which one to choose, I'd suggest you get suggestions from your library, and then they will make sure you get the book(s) with little to no effort on your part.

"Being is holiness, harmony, immortality. It is already proved that a knowledge of this, even in small degree, will uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals, will increase longevity, will purify and elevate character." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 492:7

Don't Carry That Weight

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I remember a wonderful story which relates to choosing joy rather than pain. In this story, we are asked how much a glass of water weighs. Then we are told it doesn't matter what its weight is, it matters how long we hold it. If we hold it a minute, it's light. If we hold it an hour, our arm and/or hand may become uncomfortable with the weight. If we hold it all day, our arm will feel paralyzed. This scenario is a metaphor for holding onto worries and fears. If we keep them with us, we become convinced that they are impossible to overcome. We are paralyzed from the carrying of this weight. All we have to do is put the glass down to be released from our burden! Then we are free to feel the joy which is innately ours as a child of Love.

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:23-30