Lesson from a Baby Brownie

I guess the days of the film camera are about gone.   I remember the neat camera Mom and Dad had in the mid 1940s, it looked complex, when you opened it up it looked like an accordion.  I wasn't allowed near it!!   When the Baby Brownie came out, a lot of kids got them for Christmas.  You could really feel important if you had the Baby Brownie. People would stop smile, pose, giggle and boys would almost invariably put two fingers behind their friend’s head to make the friend  look like he had horns.  Young boys are so clever!  Everyone wanted their picture taken.

One of the problems was that you had to buy film. And that can get pretty expensive. And then sometimes you forgot to take the film out and open the camera later and wonder what in the world was on the film.  And, worse, not knowing if the film was blank or actually had pictures.   Matter of fact, I have had a roll of film on my desk, a  35mm in the little metal canister, for a very long time and I don’t know if it’s unused or exposed.  I have no idea when the pictures were taken, if any were taken.  I  sure hate to pay money to have blank film developed. So I guess it just stays on my desk.

With progress, and the "electronic age of all things miraculous", the film thing is nearly gone.  What a shame since the whole idea of film and developing pictures provides such lessons about life, about positive and negative, and developing the Positive From the Negative.   So many of us can benefit from that simple lesson, in our careers, our personal lives, with relationships and just being a productive, energetic, results oriented person.  And NO sales person should ever open that first prospect’s door without the "Lesson From a Camera".  

With the film camera, when you take a picture, the image as light is transferred onto the film.   The film is then taken to a developing step where chemical solutions bathe the negative and it turns positive, producing a picture image that we can see.

Now if you have any experience with the “old” technology of film cameras, you will know that a negative is not of much practical use after you have made the positive.  Negative, by its very definition, means “ characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.”

 

The negative is very dark, the picture is not clear, you must hold the negative up to a very bright light just to see the picture in shadows.  All of the light images are dark.  For the negative to be of any practical use  whatsoever we have to turn it into a positive,  that clear picture that we can see, enjoy, put on our desk to show off our family.  And the film of thought works the same way.

As with the film, the “Negative” attitude in thought, in the human experience, is characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.  The shapes are fuzzy, unclear, no definition, dismal and dark.   Thought expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal.  Sometimes angry, maybe feeling disrespected, unloving or unloved, always doubting, shying away and maybe fearing the good, looking for the dark, and FINDING IT!!!!.     

Contrast that thinking with the “Positive” attitude, the 

dictionary definition of Positive being “a good, affirmative, or constructive quality or attribute,   characterized by or displaying certainty, acceptance, or affirmation.”  Have you known someone, certainly not yourself, whose tendency was to embrace some negative traits… “The weather is going to be lousy today”;  I don’t feel well today and I am sure I will feel worse as the day goes on.”;  and, the favorite, “Well in this economy we can’t expect much to improve”? 

In a lifetime career of sales and management I have learned how important it is to see the good, to expect the best, to see how the negative is a spoiler, a de-motivator, a route to failure, actually seeing bad where good exists.  Nobody wants to be around a Negative!

Perhaps we have seen athletes demonstrate the power of  “The Positive”.  So many times I have seen a sports team, apparently losing the game or match in the final minutes, rise to the strength of the Positive and come from behind to win.  In professional football there is even a term for The Positive. It is a Two Minute Drill.  That  is the mode the teams go into when they are behind or very close to losing the game.  The last two minutes turn into a Positive Blitz where the teams defy the negative and push towards victory.  Inspiring.  

We’ve probably all heard the saying, “Seeing is believing”.  But even more true is “Believing is seeing”, for we “See what we believe as certainly as we believe what we see.”   We can MAKE IT HAPPEN.   

In life we form our own experience in thought, so it is imperative to see through eyes filled with love, truth, intelligence, confidence.   When we expect bad things we often find them. When we look for and expect the good, it magically appears.   

In the Bible, Job, having a horrible time, said:   “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.   Job 3.    Even when things look dark, our faithful persistence will soon discover a ray of light shining in the darkness, and it will light our  path.

A wonderful friend, bandleader Kay Kyser recorded a Hit Parade song by Johnny Mercer years ago that is a wonderful theme song.  In part is says:

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKGh3DJsBDQ

 So today, I invite you to join me while I ACCENTUATE the POSITIVE!!!

Life's Symphony

Sitting in the large theater some rows back from the stage, we were thrilled to be present for the music we were about to hear.   As the program began, we could hear the orchestra playing.  It was somewhat muted as the curtain had not yet opened.  It was perhaps an unusual way to start a concert but strangely cozy and comforting, listening to the music while the giant red curtain blocked our view of the orchestra.  

Then, almost imperceptibly at first, the curtain began to open.  As it opened, ever so slowly,  the conductor came into view,  behind him the podium the violas were visible, then the first violins and the cellos, the orchestra members dressed crisply in black and white, such a beautiful scene.   As the opening widened the rest of the strings, the woodwinds and horns came into view.  The music seemed to swell to a crescendo as the entire orchestra became visible.    The magnificence of a symphony, playing a beautifully arranged composition, written by Mozart who at even age 7 displayed a talent unreachable by most composers in their advanced years, made chills run up the spine.

How symbolic was that experience to me, a participant in life’s symphony, as we all are, with dual roles as audience and members of the orchestra.     In my moments of deepest thought and meditation,  I have realized that the grand symphony of eternal life has already been written, the score complete, and that as the curtain of life opens, it is revealed, effortlessly to each of us.

I was reminded of a time, some years earlier when my daughter Melanie, at age 13 or thereabouts, wanted to move on musically, beyond the piano.   She spoke with the school music director and they decided a violin would be just the thing.  And off she went!

Melanie began practicing at home, using the old violin that had been my Great Grandfather's and had been passed on down to my Dad and to me and now Mel.   With all of the expected squeaks and screeches, practice sessions became a good time for Dad to find a project in the garage.  Very shortly thereafter she told us that the orchestra was performing the next week.  I was shocked.  How talented my little darling must be.  

On the night of the performance I sat, a nervous Dad, excitedly waiting while the orchestra tuned up.  Then, right in front of my eyes the music began and my little girl with only a few weeks practice was “fiddling” furiously, the rest of the orchestra seemingly racing to keep up.  I was so proud of my genius; she was so obviously my daughter, inheriting the rich legacy of my own musical prowess.   I even notice the conductor nodding in her direction several times, probably acknowledging her skill and tone.

After the show was over I hugged her tightly and asked how she had progressed so rapidly and if that particular piece the orchestra was playing was difficult.  She looked at me and said, "Oh, I don’t know Dad.  I only played the "G" note through the whole piece. I have only learned "G" so far.   GASP!  No wonder the conductor was glaring at her!!  Shock turned to uncontrollable laughter.

That mental picture I held of life’s stage being like the orchestral performance, the curtain opening slowly to reveal the various stages of our experience, has helped me to better understand life’s journey.   So many times I have been like my dear daughter, maybe playing only "G" while the world around me was in harmony, in full orchestra.  But like her, I fiddled away the best I could.  There were certainly better “life musicians” out there, more experienced, more qualified, more talented members of this orchestra of humanity.    But, in doing what I could I reflected to some degree Shakespeare’s line, “If music be the food of life, play on”.

As the years have passed I can see more clearly that analogy of life as a symphony. As our human experience begins, we as small children are waiting in the audience of life, eagerly awaiting the first notes from the orchestra, our first experiences in this human sphere.   Our expectations are high; excitement and the promise of wonderful things fill our senses.   As we progress through our days on earth and the curtain opens more widely, the music becomes clearer, more meaningful.  The various instruments play together in harmony, supporting and complementing each other, all being directed by the Conductor, the divine intelligence, God.

The Bible, that work that reflects man’s search for truth throughout the ages, sets the scene for the Symphony of the universe. This beautiful story in the Book of Genesis, depicting the creation of the entire universe, shows the Creator’s symphony score to be finished, waiting to be played before the eternal audience. It says: “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. ...Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. “* Finished. Completed. Awaiting the orchestra.

That curtain on life may be opening slowly, or rapidly, for each of us.  It may not open completely for a long period of time, we may only be playing the “G” note at some points, but our daily practice, our desire to improve, our diligence to play that "G" the best it can be played, and to join in the harmony of life, is all we need do.

As each of us tunes up our violin today, we can know that God has written the score.  There are, in the spiritual reality, no sour notes, there is no discordant theme,  no missing notes.  The Grand Composer has finished his work.  It is ours to enjoy.

In I Corinthians Paul said:  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

When we know the Composer, the Creator, become familiar with His works, listen for the true sound, when we are confident and have faith in His ability to write the perfect score, we can sit back, close our eyes, listen to the music of life, and enjoy.

Welcome to Symphony Hall.

Lesson from Lucy……

Now some folks are really afraid of dogs. They may carry around a mental image of sharp teeth, sneering face and loud barking. This view is spread abroad, mainly by people who are afraid of dogs.
But my view of dogs is completely different. They are, as has been said, “man’s best friend”, and serve as companions, faithful sidekicks, bringers of joy and laughter with their cute antics. Many dogs provide a protecting, guarding presence when danger lurks, often are rescuers from fire and smoke and sometimes the first responder when someone is in need. 

When my wife and I were first married she was afraid of dogs. When she was young her family had a large dog and Gail felt very intimidated, maybe having even suffered a tongue lashing from this beast. Unknown to her, a dog giving you a lot of tongue licks is the highest compliment they can offer, and rarely painful.

Some years back when we moved to the beautiful mountains near Blue Ridge, Georgia and bought our little Hilltop Farm, I could only dream of having a dog. There was no probability of us having one of those monsters anywhere near because of her fear.

But then, one day, one glorious day, with just a glimmer of hope, one moment of possible answered prayer, I saw a small face peeking out of the woods. It was a little brown face sporting huge ears that look like radar antennae. It was a dog.

This little girl was apparently a young Corgi, an abandoned dog, living off of small game and creek water. Even after she saw me watching her she continued to peek out from the trees, then, suddenly she disappeared. For a few weeks after that I would catch sight of her, first here, then over there, elusive, usually peeking out from the cover of some brush or trees, obviously shy but curious. I just wanted to go down and hug that sweet creature but she kept her distance.

After some time she came out of the woods more frequently. She came closer each time but maintained a safe distance. Then one day when my oldest daughter was visiting, the dog came up and let Melanie pet her. It was ironic that I, who really wanted the dog to come to me, was probably the last one to get to pet her. But I do confess that, with unrealistic high hopes but an ever optimistic salesman's outlook, I had already named her Lucy!

As time worked its magic and eased Lucy's fear and shyness I was finally able to get her up onto the front porch and even into the house. Then, Gail agreed to touch her, to gently rest her hand on the dog’s head. Gail was very tentative, still harboring fear of that little dog, but she did it, AND IT WAS PAINLESS, and she smiled.

Then, for the next step, the crucial test, Gail cautiously held out a small cookie. My little angel, (the dog, not the wife!!) graciously accepted it. With a touch as gentle as I assume the Queen of England would use selecting a scone from a silver platter, Lucy ever so prim and well mannered for a homeless girl, gently took the snack in her mouth, with a motion like a floating feather. Good Girl!! 

Lucy, Lucky , Gail and Pat - Christmas Photo

My wife’s fear was almost completely eliminated by that simple act of gentle acceptance, and Lucy continued to display that gentle presence. Now the neighbors might tell you of instances where she stood her ground against neighborhood dogs, but to us she was always gentle. 

Gentle Lucy - "Guarding the Nestlings"

The lesson of how that simple experience broke down the barriers, converted Gail’s fear to love, and at the same time earned Lucy a top spot in the household with many more snacks, vacation trips, adoring “oohs and aahs” from our family over the years has been with me ever since. 

I have heard that for the most part human emotions can be boiled down to just two, Love and Fear. At the very root of our daily experience, we are either loving or fearing. And the Bible points out that "Perfect love casts out fear."* Here was a living demonstration of that truth, love and gentleness casting out fear.

Maybe dogs are mans’ best friend because of the lessons they teach. Lessons of love certainly, but also of faithfulness, devotion, loyalty, selflessness, forgiveness, and yes, gentleness.

Well over 100 years ago a famous religious leader, Mary Baker Eddy, discoverer and founder of Christian Science, wrote a poem which captures the gentle nature of God’s relationship with His children. The first verse is:

O gentle presence, peace and joy and power; 

O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour; 

Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering flight! 

Keep Thou my child on upward wing to-night.**

I really have to work on the concept of Gentleness. During my business career, and even most recently during the political debate taking place over the past year in the United States, I have gotten into discussions where harshness, criticism and self justification trumped the gentle nature that belongs to all of us as God’s ideas. In those times, sadly after the fact, I have returned to the healing message of that poem, realizing that I have not reflected that gentleness, that love, peace and joy that is my heritage from the Creator. 

Some folks seem to think that Gentleness is a sign of weakness, but I have seen the effects of wear and tear when Gentleness loses out to anger and disrespect.  In raising children I have proved to myself that gentleness, kindness and humility are the most powerful child raising tools there are. 

Another poem that has helped me so much in dealing with situations where my first inclination would be harsh evaluation and reaction, particularly in correcting my children, is: 

Speak gently, it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently, let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

Speak gently to the erring ones,
They must have toiled in vain;
Perchance unkindness made them so;
O win them back again.

Speak gently, 'tis a little thing,
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy that it may bring,
Eternity shall tell. ***

I can guarantee, based on some years of practice, that this poem will bless both parent and child.

How gentle God is...  How gentle Jesus was…  If we can only continue that spirit of kindness and gentleness that is our TRUE nature as our children grow, as we encounter various people in our daily life, we will uplift them all.  

Our wonderful Lucy left us some months ago. Her beautiful lesson of Gentleness still blesses us. As often experienced on our walks, Lucy would run on ahead of us, stop and look back to make certain we were coming.

I know that she lives still, She just ran on ahead.


* I John 4:18
** Poems ... Mary Baker Eddy
*** Christian Science Hymnal #207

Halloween and the Fiscal Cliff

  

 “This Just In” blared the television in the family room.… I was immediately alert and ready for the next chapter of bad news from the TV news anchor. 

I’ve been “conditioned”!! When I hear that pronouncement, or the equally compelling… “Breaking News”… I am prepared for some vital piece of information or an earth shattering announcement regarding an unfolding story that apparently everyone must immediately know about it. Sometimes “Breaking News” turns out to be just an update that some little known 19 year old TV actress broke up a relationship with some other unknown young person. Always good to know!!! But mostly the announcements are more serious, and frightening.

Please note that "Breaking News" and "This Just In" are almost invariably BAD NEWS, not stories of good unfolding, of love or joy or beneficence. Hmmmm… 

I have discovered that most of the stories under the Breaking News category are geared to raise up feelings of fear, anger, resentment, disillusionment, disgust, disappointment and helplessness. With all due respect to the talented news professionals, the reporters and the broadcast stations are usually respectable, honest and well meaning, it is the stories that they report that need close scrutiny by the listener and viewer, a call to look deeper into the truth, and to put the story in perspective. 

Fear is one of the worst and most prevalent emotions. For example, I follow the stock market closely and most days, either before the market opens or at the end of the day, you will hear, “Market down on Fears of….” Or, before the opening bell.. “Market set to open down on Fears of…” Almost every day!! I keep wondering, If they are all afraid, why are they in the market!!

I was recently really concerned, fearful even, when I heard some of the news stories originating about the so-called Fiscal Cliff. Apparently at the end of this current year, the United States of America will experience a draconian reduction in the Federal budget which will send shockwaves through the country, the stock market, the economy and our individual lives, unless Congress takes corrective action sooner. 


I was really worried and ruminating about what I personally could do to stop this from happening, or prepare for it, and no sooner than I started to explore my options I heard another, even more alarming broadcast, a “This Just In… Breaking News…” originating from that same station. This story said that according to the Mayan calendar that a catastrophic event would happen in December of this year. 

Then, I heard still another announcer, with a great sense of urgency, commenting about predictions of the melting of the polar ice cap with subsequent flooding of some large cities, more on the threat of worldwide terrorism, then the horrible things that will happen if this political candidate is elected, or if the opponent wins, and the litany of the myriad threats facing the world. I’m sure you’ve heard them all. And when the announcer stopped  an ad came on warning about body odor and bad breath!!!  Now I was really overwhelmed with worry!

In a state of confusion I thought, what should I worry about first?? Should I fret about the Fiscal Cliff, the melting Greenland ice cap, a centuries old calendar prophecy or just the one that is supposed to happen first? I don’t want to waste my time worrying about the wrong one. What to do? 


I hope what I discovered will enlighten you and bring a sense of peace. And it’s about Halloween. In the USA Halloween is a Trick or Treat holiday where children dress up in costume and go door to door “begging” for candies, fruit and the like. They try to frighten the people that meet and threaten a “Trick”, some prank, if they don’t get some candy.
       
Now, some of these little darlings are dressed in really scary outfits, calculated to FRIGHTEN, just like Breaking News!!!! The sweetest little boys and girls pose as the most dangerous and chilling characters with gory and angry masks, trying to take us in, to make us believe their ghostly appearance. But we know that when the mask comes off, they are just the little children from our neighborhood, we are not frightened. 


Just so, I have been working on refusing to become unsettled  by the seemingly insoluble conditions of the world, the threat of physical, moral and financial harm.

Throughout history, followers of almost every recognized religion have been led to look deeper into reality than the view given by the current political, economic and cultural problems. This search, looking beyond the material view to God, Spirit, for answers has brought them a sense of calm and peace, a better sense of what life is really all about.

Certainly Christians, following the example of Christ Jesus, have found that unmasking threats and looking to God, Divine Love, for guidance, have seen these threats disappear, replaced by peace and joy. 


One excellent example that comes to mind when hearing of the Fiscal Cliff is when Jesus, a humble teacher, healer and comforter was facing an angry mob. The crowd was so incensed that they were going to throw him over the cliff. He just walked away. He didn’t fear the cliff, the threat that the material world posed, he just walked away.


The historical record of that event, written in Luke 4:24-25, is that the crowd was angry and “rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.”


In effect, he removed the mask, the threat, even though his life was being threatened by the crowd. He understood that life is spiritual, not material. In other instances he lifted the mask of hunger when he fed multitudes with a few fish and loaves, lifted the fear of his disciples when the storm at sea threatened to sink their ship, removed the fear and anguish of suffering from all manner of fears and diseases. Time and again Jesus demonstrated, and taught his disciples to demonstrate their power over fear.

This unmasking of fear is something we can all do. As a matter of fact Jesus also said, speaking of his teaching said: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."  (John 15:11) And, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

Now, what about the Breaking News? Do we just close our eyes to the problems?

NO!! We unmask them, as Jesus did, we see through the claim of the material world, see that fear, cannot intimidate, threaten or cause us to lose our joy. Like going to the door on Halloween, we see the threatening costumes, the frightening masks, but we confidently face them knowing we have nothing to fear. 

As a favorite hymn goes:

Our God is All-in-all
His children cannot fear;
See baseless evil fall,
And know that God is here.
Christian Science Hymnal 267 

Ask yourself, as I do,  What is fear doing today to keep me from living, loving, sharing, supporting, confident living? We are not supposed to be afraid!!! So UNMASK FEAR and turn off the station. And, enjoy the candy!!!

Discouraged? Lessons from a Would be Athlete!

The pitcher stepped off the pitcher’s mound, so  I stepped out of the batter’s box and glanced over at the coach.  The count was 3 Balls and two Strikes.    Baseball players always have to get their signs from a coach or the manager in situations like this,  and even though I was just a young player,  I knew that much.   

I tapped my cleats with the bat to knock off the dirt, the way the professionals do.  It was then that I remembered I didn’t have cleats, just tennis shoes.  We won’t get our baseball shoes until they issue the uniforms later this evening.    I also became aware that hitting my foot with a bat was not a great idea.  

The coach flashed me the secret sign,  he  tapped his hat then his elbow then his hat again. I got the sign.  As I recall these years later, I actually only had two signs  to remember.  I think one was “swing and miss” and the other was “duck”.    The other boys had more complex signals but the coach didn’t have much faith in me.

After the game that evening the selections for the Little League teams were being made. There were a number of sponsors supporting the teams, supplying uniforms and some of the equipment, like shoes with cleats.  The teams would soon be playing “under the lights” at Chillicothe Ohio’s City Park baseball diamond.  I hoped to be selected for the Lynch Motors team, a local Ford dealer that provided really snazzy uniforms.  Snazzy was a word we used back then, today’s equivalent of WOW, cool, rad, awesome, “totally” and other adjectives. I’m a little out of date on these.

Dutifully following the “swing and miss” sign like a professional, I struck out. The game was over and it was time for Little League team selection.  All of the boys in the sandlot baseball program gathered around as the League organizers  started going through  the names of the players that had been assigned to various teams. I knew many of the guys. 

I could just see ME in this picture!!! 

 When they came to the end of the list, I was still standing there. Just me, and one other boy.  "Looks like we didn’t make any team,"  I, master of the obvious, said to him.  To  myself I said, 'I guess I don’t get one of those beautiful uniforms that I had dreamed of, had wanted so very badly.' My dreams of strutting onto the baseball diamond in my spotless uniform were just that, dreams. A real disappointment.

A few years later, as I was at football scrimmage in my freshman year of high school, I was lined up in the right guard position. We ran a number of plays as the coach watched, carefully evaluating the potential of each of us.   Later he called me aside and sat me on the bench. He told me that at a weight of 110 pounds, that weight including my pads and uniform,  I wasn’t really cut out to play right guard, or any position on the team if you get right down to it.  He suggested, as gently as he could,  that I might find a great position in the marching band. Another disappointment.

A couple of years later I headed off for my screening  for the United States Air Force Academy. I had received appointments from two United States Senators from Ohio, Senators Bricker and Bender. I was so excited when I went to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton to take the physicals and the interviews.  

Why it would only be a couple of years and I would be graduating from just the second graduating class of the Academy, and soon after that, wearing silver aviator wings, jogging out to an aircraft on the ramp, ready to go.    But, as Dad would say, “Here again”… another disappointment.   Dad always said "Here again" when he was about to repeat himself!!  

I was small and underweight, a 16 year old boy, so naïve about what answers they were looking for.  I  apparently didn’t convince the psychiatrist, a forty something year old doctor who probably had forgotten what it was like to be 16 and excited,  that I really wanted a career in the Air Force.   You really have to know how to answer the questions these guys ask.  I’ve always wondered about psychiatrists anyway!

But this little article isn't about failure it’s about success, it’s about victory,  it’s about keeping up and keeping going, expecting good and listening for guidance..

Let’s rewind, return with me to those days where disappointment and discouragement seemed to have the upper hand.  

Hey, Get Your Dog Here!!  Hot Dogs!!  Pepsi! 

As the Little League teams were formed and the rosters closed, while I was standing there feeling down, no team, no uniform, no glory… a man came up and asked if I wanted a job selling soft drinks and hot dogs at the games each evening.  I jumped at the opportunity.   Me, a job??  ABSOLUTELY!! As the season began I found myself at the games each evening, learning to sell, preparing for a lifetime of selling, talking to girls in the stands, eating free hot dogs and drinking sodas, all the while making some forty five cents an hour.  Not bad money considering all of the hot dogs I ate!!  This, in contrast to the guys on the baseball teams, granted, wearing those great uniforms, but spending the evenings swatting at gnats in the outfield, maybe wishing they could have one of my mustard dogs and a cool drink. 

And about the football team.   I didn’t make the team of course but I did get into the High School Marching Band, playing the sousaphone, and loved every minute of it.  And that led to a place in the orchestra, the concert band, the basketball band, and who could forget playing bass fiddle in gigs with “Jack Armstrong and the All Americans” at such venues as the Jackson Ohio Apple Festival and Circleville Pumpkin Show!!  Well, okay, so it was just 2 electric guitars, drums, piano and my bass, playing small town Ohio "hits" like  "It Must Be Jelly Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That", (Click here to listen to that old standard), and other favorites!!!  Not quite Beatles level stuff, but loads of fun.

While I didn't get to the Air Force Academy, I did join the U.S. Air Force and, enjoyed my time serving the country.

What valuable lessons these early experiences were, how they gave me a perspective on being open to opportunities that I had never considered.   As I matured I realized that we are so much better off if our plans are not so “fixed in concrete” that we may overlook even better directions and opportunities, directions that are more suited for us, more natural.

 Young people can shake off disappointment and discouragement as new opportunities open up, but as we mature, disappointments seem more serious, more life altering, more devastating, and they can cloud our enthusiasm and defeat our positive attitude.  Childlike optimism is overtaken by the weight of worry, the “what if”, the “what will people think”, “what will happen to me”, the downward pull of the “gravity of fear”.  

How many times does it have to happen, I have often asked myself.  How many times does God have to prove to me that trusting, listening for the inner voice, being open and receptive to His guidance will lead me into the path that is best?   

The Bible, a wonderful handbook of how others have coped with life’s challenges in years past, is full of examples.  Now nothing I have faced is equal to being cast into a lions den like Daniel was, or being swallowed by a big fish like poor Jonah, or being confined in a fiery furnace like those three young servants of God, but the problems we face often SEEM that serious.   

But one thing I have learned.   When we listen, trusting that the BEST Way will open up for us, it miraculously happens.  Isaiah had this advice about what happens when we get ourselves, our will power, our sometimes stubborn, what my Dad used to call “Bullheaded opinions”  out of the way, and listen:    

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  Isaiah 30:21.   

  

And Jesus said, about listening,  “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”  Matthew 6:6.

I can assure you, God is talking to you and me right now. 

Guest Column - Sharon Slaton Howell

Words that last


Most writers I suppose would like to think that their words will be, if not like those of Shakespeare, as least somewhat long-lasting.  But there are words that will be, that will be around as long as time is.

These words are those of Christ Jesus, who once said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."  And they have not, as Mary Baker Eddy says in one of her books.  They are as timely and potent and life-giving today as when they were first spoken.

Recently we saw a documentary about Mahatma Gandhi when someting the narrator said jumped out at me.  Gandhi, he said, would tell his fellow Hindus "unless you study reverentially all the teachings of Jesus, your life will be incomplete."  And he added, "Gandhi loved Jesus."

So powerful are our Master's teachings, I couldn't help thinking about the lives of those Indians who were transformed as something Jesus said took root in their thoughts and hearts.  This was the case with Felix Mendelssohn, composer of glorious music, who happened to pick up a New Testament one day and was forever changed by a statement of Christ's.  Although brought up as a Jew, Mendelssohn at once converted to Christianity.

My life would certainly be incomplete without God's Word.  More than this, life would lack joy and peace, and a sense of divine power with which to overcome difficulties that arise.  How have Jesus' words impacted my life for good, you may wonder?  How have these sublime saysings not had an influence for good.

I could fill a book with real-life examples, but let me give just this one.  I was working at an international daily newspaper.  My desk was right across from a woman who was a long-time employee in the newsroom.  In fact, she was secretary to the Editor and wielded a lot of clout.  For some reason, she took a dislike to me and over time, began to make my life miserable.  Things became so bad, I dreaded going to work each day.

Finally, I reached out to a friend who was experienced in helping people with their problems.  After a lengthy recital of the wrongs being done to me (I thought), I paused to hear this Christian Science practitioner and teacher ask, "Do you really want to be free?"  This was quite unexpected, but I said, "Of course I do."  "Then you will have to love this lady", my friend said.  "There is no other way."  Shocked was a mild word to describe what I was feeling.  Didn't you hear what I said? I wanted to say.  Clearly, I was in the right, and it was my co-worker who needed to change.

However, after I hung up the phone, what this woman said began to take hold.  It was plain that if I wanted to be obedient to Christ's commands, I would have to tackle this the right way.  To say that this seemed insurmountable was an understatement.  And I recall one afternoon while waiting for a commuter train out to the suburbs, I was walking up and down that platform in tears, so hard did it seem to get over my resentment of the fellow worker.  "I can't do this", I said to God.  "Ask me to love anyone but her."  Eventually, however, Christ got the victory, and by the time my co-worker retired, we were very good friends, someone I was going to miss a lot.

Our Master spoke words that will last.  And so will we -- eternally -- as we live by what He said.

To Access Sharon Slaton Howell's Articles on Her Blog Site- Click Here

Lesson from a Tree Frog

The afternoon email brought an interesting and cute message.  My nephew and his wife and daughter found a small tree frog on a plant they had just bought.  Now that lucky tree frog has taken up residence as a pet in their home.

Now I am not an expert but in case you don’t know much bout them, tree frogs are usually tiny, as their weight has to be carried by the branches and twigs of their habitat. They are typically smaller and more slender than terrestrial frogs, and have well-developed discs at the finger and toe tips resulting in a superior grasping ability.

 And not only are they cute, they sing their loud songs in the evenings, brightening up the woods with their joyous proclamation that life is wonderful. 

Tree frogs teach lessons too. I was reminded of a valuable lesson and a real uplift, courtesy of a tree frog,  at a time when I really needed encouragement.   I had recently been facing some difficult and unsettling situations at my job and dreaded the prospect of going to work. 


On this particular day, as I backed out of the driveway and headed to the office, I saw a frog on my car’s rear window.    That cute little guy clung tight to the rear window as I drove the 40 miles to work in Houston at highway speed.  He was still clinging steadfastly to the window as I pulled into the parking lot nearly an hour later.

I actually worried about him during the day, feeling bad that I had taken him from his home ground, bringing him to a strange place, so far away for a tiny frog, and him with no car or bike to make the trip back home!!!  I guess I am a sentimental type. But when I got off work and rushed to the car, I was DELIGHTED to see his shiny green little persona still sitting on the back window.  Boring day for him!!

I drove home, another 40 miles of Mr. Frog hanging on tightly, and when we pulled up to the driveway, he jumped off and went home to see his wife and kiddies. I envisioned him taking off his little frog hat, putting down his little frog briefcase and telling his wife about another day at the office, just like me!!
 
The lesson for me was that this little guy, finding himself in a precarious circumstance, braving the dangers, hanging on when his future was uncertain, undoubtedly feeling insecure, using the only resource that he had at his disposal, those little feet, to stick to the window,  he served as a great example to me.   

Was I, admittedly facing the near certainty of being laid off, of becoming unemployed with all of the probable repercussions to my life, demonstrating as much faith, courage and perseverance as this little creature.  He might be small but his heart was huge!!!!     
Displaying such persistence, awaiting the outcome with such patience, just being a frog…WOW. He didn’t whine, didn’t complain, didn’t blame me, didn’t curse the wind… or even the Houston drivers.   I was definitely outclassed!!! 

If I could have found his home in the trees I am almost 

certain that I would have found a Bible open to the book of James, maybe these verses highlighted:

James 1:2-4 
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

Thank You, Mr. Frog, wherever you are, for showing me that when we persist, hold tight, patiently cling to the Truth of God’s Love and goodness, not letting the winds of discouragement and fear blow us away, that we always come home to peace and joy. Keep on singing!!!

Station Identification

“This is WLW in Cincinnati Ohio, the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation broadcasting on 700 on your radio dial.” 

As a youngster I remember hearing that voice, strong, confident, probably some famous guy sitting in front of an array of dials and needles, headphone on undoubtedly, cup of coffee steaming, sitting  in a padded studio with a large red “On Air” neon sign glowing, a sure indication that something really important was going on.  

The hourly Station Identification  is the practice of radio or television stations identifying themselves on the air, typically by means of a call sign, usually four letters.   Back in the 1940s the call sign was given on the hour and usually on the half hour, as required by law.   Call signs are still required for radio stations to identify themselves since is critical to be able to positively identify the source of a broadcast

Identification is important for people too.  Maybe others, like me, have wondered about "Who am I"?  About "WHY am I"?  What identifies me?  If a radio station has to announce who they are, shouldn't I at least know my identification, my call sign?  Do I have an Identifier?

Many times we go through life aimlessly, one day at a time, one foot ahead of the other, or as Ohio State Football fans would say...“three yards and a cloud of dust”, not really examining what is happening and who we are. Life can be spent groping for the next paycheck, the next promotion, the next weekend, holiday, vacation,  or the next inspiration.  

A good friend once told me to “have an identity”, to be careful not to be like a chameleon.  He explained how a chameleon changes colors to match its environment.  Perhaps he saw me trying to change to “fit in” or to not “stand out as different” in a group.    I began to see how tempting it sometimes is, when involved in a political or business discussion, to become angry or self righteous; or when associates in a group begin criticizing or judging someone, to join right in.  I have seen close up the adverse effects of the contagion of negative thinking in business and family environs.

When my friend reminded me about the chameleon, I remembered that the Bible has a caution about staying true to our identity, and it sounded like he was talking about me when he said:   

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:   For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway  forgetteth what manner of man he was.  James 1:23-24

That’s when it is time for… YES… Station Identification!!  We need a call sign for our station:  maybe LOVE, or KJOY, KIND, PEACE… the possibilities are endless.  And we need to go to remember this Identification at least every hour!!

Now back at The Station… there are other things we need. We already have a marvelous Sponsor, namely God, divine Love, the Father that created us as His spiritual reflections, to love, to understand, to trust, to feel, to rejoice in life!!  And, we have a wonderful "instruction-procedure" manual, the Holy Bible.      We’re well on our way to Identification!!  

In addition to our Sponsor and Procedure Manual, we need some real life Identification experience. Now in this area Christians have a wonderful tutor, Christ Jesus, who has already performed the roles of, set the example for, and whose Station Identification could be characterized as: Teacher, Healer, Minister, Shepherd, Forecaster, Rescuer, Lie Detector Expert, Soldier, Preacher and Selfless Friend.  And his script is available for those who want to learn under his tutorage.

In her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Religious Leader and Pioneer, Mary Baker Eddy observes:  

Man's genuine selfhood is recognizable only in what is good and true.  Man is neither self-made nor made by mortals.   God created man.    And Jesus, who certainly knew His identity said: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”    Matthew 5.  

Other wonderful assurances from his Sermon on the Mount that are being proven every day may be seen by clicking here.  MATTHEW 5

I’ll be On Air with you!!!