Too late? Maybe not!

by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.

Do you have dreams that have never been realized? Do you feel like it’s too late to act on them? Well, maybe it’s not!

Since my childhood, I have aspired to be a published author. I’ve always loved to write. Keeping a journal was a passion that began when I was 9 years old. But many years passed without my youthful dreams coming true.

The pursuit of ideals, for women and men alike, has long been a powerful force in restoring hope in the face of impossible odds. Its power often comes when we consider that impossible odds might sometimes be self-imposed odds that make us sigh with dismay: “too old” or “too late.” But to impossible odds, the dreamer and visionary will always say, “Not so!”

March being National Women’s History Month compels me to write about a woman whose life example tells me it’s never too late to pursue aspirations, achieve goals and fulfill one’s life purpose. I first learned of Mary Baker Eddy as an American author of a book that explained groundbreaking ideas about spirituality and health — ideas that are more at home in the 21st century than in her own 19th-century world, in fact.

David Hufford of the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine wrote in his book “Eddy: Current Running against the Mainstream”: “In the late 1800s, there were very few women in medical schools, in seminaries, or in universities. Mrs. Eddy and a handful of other women upset centuries of tradition when they began to speak and write about religious and medical issues … and to talk openly about the equality of men and women.”

Mary Baker Eddy openly challenged the conventional thinking in the theology, medicine and science of her times, and for this, she was often the target of criticism and slander. Consequently, I’ve found that some historical records still don’t tell all the facts of her life correctly. The lives of others have much to teach us, so how important it is for his-stories and her-stories to be accurately told!

What inspires me now as I approach the half-century mark is that she was 54 years old when her renowned book “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” was first published. And top that with the fact that she was 87 years old when she launched The Christian Science Monitor as a balanced and ethical alternative to the sensational journalism of her day. A paper that remains a leading international newspaper, I might add.

Such accomplishments (and there were many others) by a woman during her middle age and senior years give me inspiration to imagine the possibilities for my dreams today.

Eddy’s own words provide some insight into how ambitions can be accomplished. “The devotion of thought to an honest achievement makes the achievement possible.” Her life and accomplishments proved this for us all.

History is filled with accounts of many great men and women who have reached their aims and attained their high hopes. Mary Baker Eddy describes their lives as “miracles of patience and perseverance.” And like them and like her, we’ve all got it in us.

Still feel like it’s too late to pursue your dreams? Well, maybe it’s not!

For more information about Mary Baker Eddy and her many accomplishments, visit the website of the Mary Baker Eddy Library.

The ‘D-Days’ of our lives

by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.

June 6, 1944, is famously known as “D-day,” which marked the day during World War II that the Battle of Normandy began, commencing the Western Allied effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described that June day to Americans as a “mighty endeavor” — an effort “to preserve … our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity.”

In military terms, “D-day” denotes the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. Its broader, general definition and usage designates the day that some significant event will occur or has occurred.

No doubt, each of our lives has been filled with significant events that have shaped us into who we are today. Perhaps these events are positive or negative in and of themselves, but nevertheless, they have become momentous and transforming landmarks in our life journeys.

Jesus had his share of “D-days,” as well. I think one was that day in a Nazareth synagogue when he read from the book of the prophet Esaias (Isaiah): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19). Then, after closing the book, he announced, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21).

This bold and public announcement, it seems to me, marked his commitment to the mission he would go about fulfilling in the next three years of his life — a mission that is still revolutionizing humanity today.

Sometimes “D-days” are planned and expected and sometimes not. A “D-day,” for example, could be the day you got married or your child was born, the day a loved one passed on or you lost your job, the day you moved to a new city or graduated from college, the day you bought your first house or the day a hurricane destroyed it. Whether planned or not, days like this change your life or the course of your life in some dramatic way.

A “D-day” might also be the day you reached a major decision, gleaned a life-altering revelation, experienced or witnessed healing. I often like to imagine not only the many people who were healed by Jesus but also the impact on the folks who witnessed those healings. Such as the time Jesus healed a man lying on his bed, sick of the palsy. After Jesus healed him, we read, “But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matthew 9:8). I know myself, when I see or read of healings through prayer and divine revelation experienced by others, I am filled with hope, and my faith, confidence and expectancy of healing in my own experience become emboldened and reassured.

It seems many of my most memorable “D-days” are ones that were my mightiest trials. Yes, it’s been my challenges and heartbreaks that, quickly or eventually, pointed me in a Godward direction toward healing solutions. Again and again, I’ve learned that trials are overcome more readily with a divine staff in hand.

I’ve come to think of trials as temptations to believe that God is both good and evil or that God creates and sends evil or purposefully wants His children to be inflicted by evil. But we read in the book of James, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). So I’ve come to think of trials — however bad — as opportunities to conquer the seeming power of evil and prove it powerless in my life. The most difficult trials in my life journey are the ones that have prompted epoch-marking stages of growth and progress.

When faced with “D-days” we haven’t planned or wanted, we may exclaim, “Why, Lord?” In such times, I find encouragement in the fact that even Jesus had to face temptations. We read in the book of Matthew of Jesus being “tempted by the devil” in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Each time Jesus was confronted with a temptation, he immediately refuted it with a spiritual law of God.

We can do the same ourselves, when we’re faced with a temptation that suggests evil as a power and that we’re defenseless or helpless. Acknowledging and affirming the omnipotence and omnipresence of God’s law and word can enable us to defeat any evil temptation, just as Jesus did.

What I love most in reading about the temptations Jesus encountered and mastered is that after he had clearly won his battle, “angels came and ministered unto him.” It’s encouraging to know that when we grapple with our own temptations and prevail over them, we will have God’s angel messages of comfort and strength lifting us and sustaining us.

There’s a passage in the book of James which buoys my courage for any future unsought “D-days.” And Mary Baker Eddy’s definition of two words in this passage enhances its meaning. “Blessed is the man that endureth (overcometh) temptation: for when he is tried (proved faithful), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

Whatever the “D-days” in our lives, I think these monumental days become waymarks that guide us onward toward understanding the truth of our spirituality. And this truth liberates us from any evil trying to occupy our mind, body and spirit.

Facing a change? You can more than just cope!

by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.

Change comes in countless forms. Some life-altering. Some predictable. Some we choose. Some are imposed on us. Like those that are so sudden they uproot our secure and stable routine, and send us swirling into unwanted transition.

I was heading off to college for my freshman year with great anticipation – all good. And not just any college, but the college of my dreams.

Then mid-year, something I never thought about or imagined could happen – happened. Academic suspension for one year. The result of my poor study skills and more time spent in social activities than in classes.

Devastated. Depressed. I was faced with what seemed like a hurricane of destruction to all I held dear. Forced to leave new friends and a new boyfriend. Forced to leave my new home and return to my parents’ home. Not knowing what to do with my life.

Shortly after I got the unexpected news (that I should have expected), I received an encouraging letter from my college advisor. She explained that suspend also meant to “uphold by invisible support”. I could know I was also being supported by their hopes and expectation of my return.

I searched my favorite magazines for advice on coping with change. But one suggestion I found, to hang on and ride out the storm, was not what I wanted to hear.

The idea that we must simply cope with and endure storms sent me to the Biblical account when Christ Jesus and his disciples faced a “great storm.” I read how Christ Jesus “rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Immediately, I might add.)

Whirlwinds of self-pitying emotions were keeping me from accepting responsibility for my actions and seeing that there were solutions at hand.

These words from author Mary Baker Eddy, in a short piece entitled, Angels, helped bring me calm and clarity. “God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment…..This sweet assurance is the ‘Peace, be still’ to all human fears, to suffering of every sort.”

I started affirming the peace of God as present and powerful in my life. I felt assured of a God of love who is ever-directing and guiding me to whatever I need in each moment. The storm, with self-pitying winds, was stilled. I left my past mistakes behind me and focused on present possibilities.

As my point of view changed from dread and uncertainty to confident hope and resolve, a job opportunity presented itself. One that taught me much about unselfish care for others’ needs. I enrolled in a community college where I took several remedial classes and workshops to improve my reading and writing skills.

A few months later, I returned to the college of my dreams. And before my one year suspension date. Three years later, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree with the senior class award for “progress.”

Life-changing lessons were learned in my freshman year. Just coping with change can keep us treading water and never moving forward. But using change as a means to grow wiser and stronger, leads to progress.

A role model for success

by Annette Bridges. © 2006. All rights reserved.

What if I told you that one of the smallest of God’s creatures knew the secrets to being successful? Can you guess what critter I’m referring to? The Bible has the answer in Proverbs.

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise.” (Proverbs 6:6)

Maybe you desire to be more productive in your work or perhaps you’re a new graduate poised to begin your career? Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, bored or afraid to take the necessary steps?

For instance, I’ve been lacking the motivation to finish a remodeling project on our house. Even though the desire to see the goal accomplished should be sufficient stimulus. I seem to be daunted by the enormity of the task at hand. So much so that I’m stuck in idle and going nowhere.

When I’m having a problem, my general practice is to look for inspiration and insight. That usually means exploring spiritual ideas and the Bible is a good place to begin. This led me to the book of Proverbs. The verse about the ant reminded me of a poem based on this passage, that I read years ago when I was in college. Listed are some ideas I learned from this poem entitled, “The Ants” by Max Dunaway.

Keep your purpose in the forefront of your thought.

Be expectant, never doubting, as you move toward your goal.

Keep moving; don’t let idleness interfere with your forward progress.

Maintain courage, refuse to give up or give in.

Keep traveling in a straight course; don’t be deterred by obstacles.

Once a task is complete, go immediately to the next task at hand.

Approach each task with zest, energy and enthusiasm.

Be persistent.

Your success needs others to be successful, help your fellow team members to progress, lend a hand and offer support as needed.

Never consider defeat, face each task (even unexpected ones) with confidence and resolve.

Don’t stop till your goal is reached.

Keeping joy in your efforts will make each task light.

To accomplish my remodeling project, this list may need to be duplicated and posted around my house as a motivational reminder. I can certainly see how idleness in the past has stalled my forward momentum. A good dose of expectancy, confidence, resolve and zest should get me moving. How often I forget that maintaining joy speeds my progress. Okay. I’m fueling up to head toward my goal. Guess I also better add the courage needed to take that first step.

Mary Baker Eddy, a woman who in the latter part of her life proved that it’s never too late to accomplish one’s goals, offers reassurance. In an article aptly entitled, “Fidelity”, she wrote, “The conscientious are successful. They follow faithfully; through evil or through good report, they work on to the achievement of good; by patience, they inherit the promise. Be active, and however slow, thy success is sure: toil is triumph; and – thou hast been faithful over a few things.”

So, it is appreciating and emulating the many qualities that an ant exemplifies – such as patience, perseverance and persistence – that will help you climb over those pesky hills called boredom, fear or frustration, and prove that conscientious effort results in success.