Web Originals

To outward appearances, Mary Baker Eddy was just another mortal walking around in her corner of the world. And in a way, she lived a normal life for someone who was propelled into the world’s limelight.

When I answered the phone, I heard my two grown daughters crying in terror. They were in the mountains of Colorado watching a gigantic mudslide.

Why did Mary Baker Eddy, who founded the Christian Science Church, establish a secular international newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor? Why would a religious leader also have a purpose for news and information? As a staff editor for the Monitor, it’s a question I have thought about a lot.

Beginnings and endings. Starts and stops.

Toward the end of March, I was enjoying springtime at my heavily wooded weekend country home in the rolling backwoods of southern Mississippi. The winter ryegrass was at its peak, brown tree limbs on the beech, white oak, blackjack oak, and sweet gum trees were all sprouting fresh green leaves.

The ultra-enthusiastic singing, flag waving, drum beating, and cheering at the soccer match I attended in Guadalajara, Mexico, while visiting our son, was great fun. But something about it surprised me.

I have often heard about high profile people who travel with their own chefs, personal trainers, doctors, bodyguards, and others who are considered essential to their health, security, and peace of mind while on the road. Sometimes entire floors of hotels are reserved to accommodate an entourage that works to keep that one person functional and happy.

Having traveled to about 40 countries over the last three and a half years, I may not have as many air miles as Ryan Bingham, the main character in the film  Up in the Air , but I definitely have some helpful ideas to share about traveling from a spiritual perspective. Here are some of them: Trust the laws of God.

When I was a young teen, my dad experimented with investing in the commodity futures market. He grew potatoes on the family farm, and a farmer friend had convinced him to hedge his crop against low prices through the purchase of futures on a commodity exchange.

Three years ago, I had to find a new place to live and considered purchasing a house. Although I had lived in rental property for years, buying a home seemed like a reasonable step to take and one I had desired for some time.