Oct 17, 2006 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.
Do you know the most popular song in the English language? It’s a song that brings in approximately $2 million in licensing revenue each year. A song that’s been sung to infants and presidents and been performed in homes, schools, businesses, playgrounds and even in space. Although it’s been translated into countless languages, it’s often sung with its English lyrics in countries where English is not a primary language.
The song? “Happy birthday to you!”
Imagine two Southern kindergarten teachers (sisters) in 1893 who write a little ditty that they hope will be a useful teacher’s aid and instead compose the music to a song that is sung millions of times each year around the globe. The original lyrics were a classroom greeting entitled “Good morning to all.” There doesn’t appear to be any definitive proof of who actually wrote the lyrics “Happy birthday to you.” The first known written version of this song didn’t appear on the American scene until 1935, using the sisters’ tune, but it didn’t take long before it had become a worldwide hit.
I guess since I’m expecting to be serenaded with this song by my family in three days, I have birthdays on my mind. I remember when birthdays were the most special of all days. It seems at least in the first half of our lives, birthdays are the coming of age, bringing with them privileges and opportunities that we often long for — such as the age we go to school, the age we can get our driver’s license, the age we get to vote.
Age also brings with it the loss of benefits, such as when you’re too old for a kid’s meal or a child’s movie ticket or amusement park pass. However, I recall being excited when I was too old for such things, because this meant I was nearing the world of adulthood. Of course, age also brings the return of similar perks when age labels us as qualifying for senior rates and specials. My oldest brother is happy about this, mostly because this means he can now receive senior discount coffee at his favorite fast-food restaurant.
I think I’m going to be like my grandmother, who was born on Feb. 29 during a leap year. No one was ever certain of her age. In fact, most of my life I remember her being 76 years old. For some reason, she liked this number. I think I’ll stick with 49 myself — indefinitely.
Perhaps we give age too much credit and power. After all, the calendar year was created by man, not God, and the number of days and months in a year has changed throughout history. I guess humankind has found it helpful for its historical recording to have some type of calendar date to include in its notes. But who knows how many days were in the calendar year in the days of Noah? The first time “year” is mentioned in the Bible is in reference to the 600th year of Noah’s life!
Ever wonder when age became an influence on abilities and a determinant for the length of life? I’ve always been intrigued by an account I read in Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. She told a story that was reported in a London medical magazine, The Lancet, published I presume sometime in the 19th century, about an insane woman who apparently had been disappointed in love and lost all account of time and years. Believing she was still living in the same hour when she was parted from her lover, the woman stood daily at her window watching for his return. Some American travelers saw her when she was 74 years old and guessed her to be a woman under 20.
This woman’s mental state kept her physical appearance young — no wrinkles, no gray hair. She never thought herself to be growing old, so the passing of years didn’t make her age.
I don’t know that I can convince myself that years don’t make me older, but lately I sure like that idea. Certainly, if one believes in eternal life, then that doesn’t just mean life has no ending. It also must mean life had no beginning. So there is not much use for a calendar in eternity.
In the Bible, Job describes age well when he says, “Thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning” (Job 11:17). When I ponder these words, age feels fresh, young, new, invigorating, lively — like anything is possible in a new day. Maybe those two kindergarten teachers had the lyrics right for a birthday song. I think I’ll ask my family to change my birthday song lyrics to:
Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
Good morning dear Annette,
Good morning to you!
I feel younger already!
Oct 14, 2006 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.
It’s Independence Day! On “The Fourth of July,” Americans celebrate their Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4, 1776. There will be fireworks, parades, family gatherings and barbecues. There will be baseball games, concerts and patriotic displays from flag flying to everything red, white and blue on streamers, balloons and clothing. Whatever our differences in political opinion, today we join as Americans to celebrate our freedom and to partake in the same events and activities.
In thinking about our Independence Day, I’ve been pondering a statement made by the early 20th century American novelist and poet William Faulkner: “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”
The idea of “practicing” freedom, rather than just “celebrating” it, has seemed a rather distant and difficult concept for me lately. My life has felt increasingly enslaved by circumstances, fears and even my own mortality. My longing and great desire for freedom is turning me again to the sourcebook of all healing — the Bible.
The more I study Jesus’ teachings, the more I understand that independence from all forms of oppression — mental, emotional, physical — is found in God’s infinite power and love. God made us free, and this heritage of freedom endows us with the divine power to assert our freedom and dominion.
Jesus showed us how to practice freedom. He disregarded so-called laws of mortality by healing — proving sin, sickness and death powerless when confronted by the might of divine power and truth. He assured us that we, too, could practice our God-given freedom, and he also told us how.
He said, ” … know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). It seems my practice of freedom begins by knowing the truth — the truth that God is the only power and creator, the truth that God is good, the truth of my spiritual identity as God’s daughter, the truth that evil is not a power and is not and would never be created by a God who is Love.
I’m discovering that when I depend on knowledge that comes from observing and analyzing mortal conditions, I often reach conclusions that bind me to human frailties. I guess this should be no surprise, since a mortal view can’t see beyond its own limitations and finiteness.
I’m learning that to practice the spiritual freedom that liberates from whatever would shackle me requires maintaining a spiritual view in spite of what the material senses report. It also requires an affirmation of the divine and eternal truth rather than what human knowledge asserts or predicts. I’ve found encouragement in Paul’s promise, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Indeed, freedom is a divine right. But like any right, it needs to be practiced, put into action and, at times, defended. Sometimes I must fight for my right to freedom.
I don’t have to surrender and helplessly submit to emotional and physical complaints. I don’t have to give up my right to freedom. Where there is freedom, there is peace — peace in mind, body, spirit. And peace is worth fighting for.
I’m learning the reverse is also true — where there is peace, there is freedom. For me, this is never illustrated as clearly as when Jesus calmed a storm at sea with that powerful assertion, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39). It seems to me that he affirmed peace to be a law of God that governs the universe and humankind. And this declaration of peace provided Jesus and his disciples freedom from the storm, stilled the wind and waves and produced “a great calm.”
Practicing freedom requires daily (sometimes hourly) acknowledgment of this God-given peace. When my life seems tossed by one storm after another and I long for calm, I’m finding I can affirm the presence of God’s peace and feel the independence — the freedom — that God’s peace brings to every situation or challenge. And so can we all.
Practice your God-given and God-promised rights of peace and freedom, and may every day be your independence day!
Oct 14, 2006 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.
Who wouldn’t be willing to give up their bus seat to a pregnant woman, the elderly or handicapped? Or who wouldn’t consider taking advantage of an airline offer of a free ticket to give up their seat on an oversold flight?
A few days ago, we heard the story of the helicopter copilot who unflinchingly gave up his seat to an injured pilot he was rescuing. His Apache helicopter had only two seats, one for himself and one for the pilot. After belting one injured pilot into his seat, he strapped the second injured pilot to the gun mount outside the helicopter on one side and then strapped himself to the other side of the helicopter.
Unflinching — showing a fearless determination in the face of danger or difficulty. One wonders whether this courageous soldier even thought twice about putting his own safety second to a comrade. I think not.
Joining the U.S. military today is totally voluntary. Americans freely choose to enlist for service, knowing the potential risks and sacrifices. So perhaps it should be no surprise that an individual who has made such a choice would also make the voluntary decision to give up his seat, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way.
This warrior’s unblinking and unshrinking willingness to give, in this instance, his seat, is one of the purest examples of volunteerism. His actions could be described by Paul’s words “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God was surely smiling on this helicopter copilot’s selfless action.
Soldiers’ devotion of care to their comrades reminds me of how Jesus defined what it meant to be a neighbor with the famous parable frequently titled “The Good Samaritan.” A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. Apparently, during his journey he was attacked by thieves who robbed and wounded him, leaving him half-dead on the side of the road. Other travelers saw this poor man on the side of the road and didn’t stop to help him. Then, along came a Samaritan who didn’t hesitate to stop and render aid. The Samaritan cared for his wounded neighbor in the same way soldiers care for not only their comrades but also anyone in need of their assistance. Both are role models for us all.
The story of the Samaritan takes on even greater significance when one understands that the wounded man whom the Samaritan stopped to help was socially and politically his enemy. I guess Jesus was trying to teach us that humanity’s bonds in brotherhood transcend social, racial, sexual, political and religious segmentations that we often adopt in our lives. Compassion is a universal moral code for behavior at all times.
Maybe we will not have the same opportunities as soldiers, firefighters or police officers, who willingly and often heroically give assistance to others. But heroism is about character that includes qualities we would all do well to embody and practice — courage, strength, perseverance, compassion, faith, hope, selflessness, tenderness, patience, willingness, unconditional love.
Heroism is about how we live our lives. Heroes don’t look for glory or praise, nor do they seek recognition for their actions. They expect nothing in return and ask for nothing in return. Heroes live lives of deep commitment, believing in the greater good for all.
Every day we have opportunities to be someone’s hero — to offer assistance, to listen, to help, to care. Perhaps we can all ask ourselves: “Am I willing to give up my seat?”
Oct 14, 2006 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.
What a difference a year makes. This time last year I wrote about surviving the worst North Texas drought in 50 years. No rain, no hay was last year’s story. This year we have plenty of grass, all right, but we can’t cut and bale it because of the continuing downpour of rain. And who would have thought it would be the middle of July and my husband would not have his usual farmer’s tan!
Some call it a climate in crisis and spout dire and inescapable predictions and speak of irreversible conditions. The extreme changes in climate go well beyond the Texas border — from century-mark temperatures in U.S. regions known for their mild and pleasant summers to Buenos Aires, Argentina, having its first snow this winter in 90 years. But Texas having weekly, often daily, excessive rains in the summer is an extreme and costly change for many Texas farmers and ranchers.
While climate refers to the meteorological conditions that characteristically prevail in a particular region and season, climate also speaks to the prevailing set of attitudes and behaviors in human affairs. Crisis is a turning point in a crucial situation that demands resolution. Any climate crisis brings the demand to change and adapt our attitudes and behaviors. Change is something most of us try to avoid until we reach a crossroad or impasse where a decision must be reached before growth and progress can move us forward.
The one definite conclusion one can reach from analyzing weather patterns is that these patterns change and are often difficult, if not impossible, to predict. If we can’t change the weather, we can change how we respond to it. Certainly, we can stop allowing weather to be a controlling influence on our success and happiness.
Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind when he gave the analogy of the wise and foolish man. He said the wise man builds his house upon a rock and the foolish man builds his house upon the sand. When the rain, floods and winds came upon the house built on the sand, the house fell. But the rain, floods and winds could not even shake the house built upon a rock (Matthew 7:24-27).
In pondering this analogy, I believe the house represents my convictions, my moral compass, my faith. Surely the rock must exemplify divine truth, God, making the sand depict human opinion, the mortal viewpoint. I’ve decided the lesson to be learned is that as I keep my faith in the certainty of God’s power and control of the universe, climate becomes harmless.
It was the Fourth of July. And although we encountered only brief rain that day, widespread flooding of marinas canceled fireworks celebrations. The usual festivities had to be changed. Still, we grilled our hamburgers and hot dogs, albeit under the covered patio while it rained. Instead of watching fireworks, we watched baseball, played cards and watched the movie “Independence Day.” Disappointments were set aside, and a grand ol’ time was had by all. Rain showers and floods weren’t able to shake our joy and destroy our fun that day.
Last year a new job opportunity helped lessen the impact of the drought and loss of hay income. We learned to quiet our doubts and fears by strengthening our faith and trust in God. Peace and harmony as well as infinite resources and possibilities come from divine Love. God satisfies human needs in good, beneficial, sometimes unexpected, ways.
Jesus apparently never doubted God’s control, regardless of weather conditions surrounding him. If he did, he could not have slept during the storm at sea. After his disciples woke him up and he calmed the winds, he asked them: “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:37-40).
Maybe each year brings new challenges to meet and conquer. Maybe we feel we’re reaching the limits of human endurance. But maybe the solution is simpler than it first seems.
So what if we encounter storms in our path? Perhaps we make changes in our course to our desired destination. There is always a different course to take. Perhaps it will be one we’ve not traveled before or one very far from what we had planned or expected to travel.
We must let no clouds of concern, fear, frustration or uncertainty shut out the light of God, Truth, which will always show us the solution we seek, the new idea we need, the direction to take. Even as the storms outside roar around us, we can feel divine Love, ever present, comforting and reassuring us that all will be well. The sun will shine again. That we can be sure of.
Oct 14, 2006 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom …
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away …
However the story begins, we are a people enthralled by fantasy and science fiction. In fact, fantasy and science fiction are two of the biggest-selling genres of modern-day literature.
This month’s hot story is Potter-mania. Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels by British author J.K. Rowling. The first six books collectively sold more than 325 million copies and have been translated into more than 63 languages. The universal success of the novels has made Rowling the highest-earning novelist in literary history. The world waited, with bated breath, to read the seventh and final book in the series, which was finally released July 21, 2007.
If you are one of the few in the world who doesn’t know who or what Harry Potter is, I’ll give you the short story. Harry Potter is a great epic fantasy that incorporates magic, heroes, quests, mysterious creatures and the ultimate battle of good vs. evil, among other things, and brings all to life in a world that is surprisingly similar to our own.
Harry Potter is not the first epic fantasy to grab and hold our attention. C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia,” J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and George Lucas’ “Star Wars” are three other popular ones that come to mind. What is it about these fantastical stories and their characters that make them so irresistible and compelling?
On the surface, these presentations seem so bizarre and outrageous that one wonders how we can relate. Perhaps we have a need to escape for a time from the challenges in our life and have our soul entertained and refreshed. So we let our minds go to strange places and enter into enchanted lands where the impossible seems possible and the imaginary seems real. Perhaps we long for a hero on whom we can depend. Or we need faith to believe trials can be overcome and good really can conquer evil. Maybe we just want to believe that being happy ever after is a real possibility, at least for a little while.
I think it’s the heroes in these stories that capture our hearts. These heroes, who could be described as the most unlikely and not so obvious, teach us that heroes come in all sizes and are not limited to the strong, beautiful or famous. This is reassuring for many of us, confirming that we, too, can achieve greatness and save the world.
But greatness is not what our fantasy heroes seek. They have a noble cause and a selfless mission. They serve the greater good without personal ambition or need for glory. Our fantasy heroes remind me of Jesus’ words: “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).
Ah now, Jesus was an unlikely savior. He was probably considered by many of his peers as the least likely Messiah. After all, Jesus was a mere carpenter’s son from Nazareth. He spoke of peace and of loving your enemies. How could one with a battle cry of peace and love save the world from captivity and sin and its own destruction? Perhaps when all of humanity can answer this question, wars will cease and there will be peace on earth.
Given the universal appeal and success of Harry Potter and other fantasy epics, there’s something about these tales that strikes a chord around the world, crossing language barriers, with fans being children and adults alike. It seems we all have more in common with each other than we realize.
Maybe we’re just all hungering for more faith in our lives. Faith brings balance, security and certainty to our world. Faith turns doubt to trust and fear to confidence and expectation — faith in the Divine does this, that is. Maybe more of this kind of faith is what our unstable world needs most.
