Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
(The Bible KJV – Romans 12: 9,10, 12, 14,18)
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At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p571)
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For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(The Bible KJV – II Timothy 1: 7)
Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p393:12)
Already it’s 2025! Sometimes a new year will cause us to reflect on the year just gone and consider whether we made the most of the opportunities it presented; whether we learned from the challenges; whether we progressed in some way. More likely we will be thinking ahead. Will this be the year I lose weight, exercise more, find a better job? We may even set goals for ourselves.
If we are honest, we must admit that most of our goals are personal ones aren’t they? There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a better version of ourselves in some way, but what if our goals were larger? What would the world be like if we all decided to contribute to making the world a better, more peaceful place? Traditional Christmas carols express hope for ‘peace on earth, good will toward men’. What if this desire was not just a line in a song but our personal goal?
You might ask: How can I make a difference? The world is in such a difficult state – there is poverty, and there are wars, and terrible injustices. How can I help with that, you ask? Every thought and every action contribute to the mental atmosphere of our environment. Are we contributing to a more peaceful environment in our daily interactions? Are we patient and supportive when the person behind the counter is new at their job? Are we gracious in traffic when someone inadvertently cuts us off? Are we forgiving when a waiter makes an error in our order? Are we generous to those less fortunate than ourselves? Every one of these actions contributes to your own and others’ feeling of being loved and valued. Isn’t that what we all need? Isn’t this what really makes life work right?
The Golden Rule: ‘ Treat others as you would want to be treated’, isn’t just a Christian saying. A quick Google search reveals that it is a core demand of every major religion and school of thought. The world knows that it is love that makes things work right. This time next year when we look back on 2025, let’s hope we can all say that we contributed to the peace of the world. Starting right here with our everyday actions we can do our part in building peace.
This article was contributed by Deborah Packer, a member of the Canberra Christian Science community.
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For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(The Bible KJV – II Timothy 1: 7)
The Enriching Power of Gratitude
Someone said to me once that gratitude was like having windows in a room. When I questioned this, he explained that if you are in a room with no windows you are not aware of the beauty of the scenery beyond the walls, but if you have windows you can experience the pleasure of the view. He said gratitude is the quality of thought that makes you aware of the good that already surrounds you. There is always good. Taking time to appreciate it and say, ‘Thank you’ enriches our lives.
Research suggests that being grateful and expressing gratitude towards others can improve our happiness and quality of life. Gratitude enhances empathy, improves physical health, mental wellbeing, quality of sleep, self-esteem and, also has the capacity to reduce stress. Identifying what you’re grateful for, especially during challenging times, can help foster resilience and improve our wellbeing (Stronger Together – Expressing Gratitude, Tanya O’Shea, Managing Director, IMPACT Community Services).
Gratitude is a quality of Love. Love is that quality that makes the world work right. When we make time for giving gratitude for the large and small things in our lives, then we are doing our part in making the world a better place while enhancing our own lives. That simple act of saying, ‘Thank you’ and counting our blessings enriches.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Founder of Christian Science encourages us to live the gratitude we feel. She writes on page 3 of her textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.
If you are in Canberra, please join us in giving thanks for the good in our lives and the blessings received at our Thanksgiving Service at 6.15 on Thursdsay 23 November – corner of Macquarie & Bligh Streets, Barton.
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Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.
Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p57)
The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p61:4)
Unselfish ambition, noble life-motives, and purity, — these constituents of thought, mingling, constitute individually and collectively true happiness, strength, and permanence.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p57:7)
Christian Science Canberra 