![\"Daily](\"https://susancollinscsb.com/files/2017/02/daily-lift-logo-400.png\"){kind=logo}
\nAugust 2017
\nOvercoming Heartbreak
\nSusan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.
Poem by Susan S. Collins
\nPublished in the April 21, 2025 Issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
Our heavenly Father is to His beloved reflection
\nas immortal Principle is to its devoted heir:
\never-bestowing.
Our forever Mother is to Her cherished child
\nas consummate Love is to its adoring likeness:
\never-nurturing.
The great Shepherd is to His precious lambkin
\nas indivisible Soul is to its radiant representative:
\never-leading.
The living Word is to its exultant expression
\nas divine Mind is to its magnificent idea:
\never-imparting.
Unfathomable good is to its luminous celestial
\nas omnipresent Spirit is to its hallowed manifestation:
\never-unfolding.
The great I am is to His sparkling image
\nas eternal Truth is to its impeccable witness:
\never-anointing.
Inextinguishable Life is to its vital offspring
\nas the infinite One is to His flourishing emanation:
\never-renewing.
And you,
\nGod\u2019s eternal effect, His treasured heir\u2014
\nin oneness enduring, in entity complete\u2014
\nyes, do claim . . . indeed, proclaim
\nyour forever
\ninheritance.
This article appeared in the February 04, 2019 edition of the Monitor Daily.
\nListen:
\n
As it happens, I have almost the exact same name as a well-known politician. For this reason, some most unusual experiences have come my way. For example, I\u2019ve been given political mementos with this individual\u2019s name and received emails intended for her. I\u2019ve even received a phone call from someone endeavoring to sway me to a particular side of a legislative bill. All because my name matches that of a famous someone else!
\nThis has led me to consider a more substantial way in which we can also be misidentified. We become so very used to seeing ourselves purely in terms of personal characteristics, our human ups and downs and even our visible features, that we may not realize there\u2019s another way of identifying ourselves \u2013 a spiritual way, and it actually gives us a clearer sense of our identity.
\nThere are many ways the Bible reveals this deeper, spiritual identity, but I\u2019ve been particularly inspired by a passage in the Scriptures that tells how, when Jesus was baptized, there was \u201ca voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matthew 3:17). God knew precisely who Jesus truly was. Jesus pleased Him.
\nWhile Jesus\u2019 identity as the Son of God was unique, there\u2019s a lesson here for all of us. If God is our creator, as the Bible informs us, each of us too must be one of His beloved children, Her unique heir. And since God is Spirit, we are in fact the very expression of spiritual attributes, such as wholeness and beauty. I like to think of everyone\u2019s true nature as analogous to a gorgeous bouquet or a harmonious symphony: We may each include the same flowers or musical notes, but we\u2019re all arranged and composed differently.
\nThis is to say, as the expression of divine Spirit\u2019s nature, each of us is spiritual, incomparable, complete.
\nI\u2019ve found that understanding how God knows us in this way is most valuable. It brings healing, taking us beyond confining, mistaken views of ourselves and others as flawed mortals.
\nAt one time in my life I began to experience severe panic attacks. I never knew when they were going to happen. I\u2019d begun to identify myself as a nervous mortal who was easily shaken and way too sensitive.
\nA doctor prescribed Valium, a rather potent tranquilizer, at quite a high dosage. Eventually I became addicted. Sometimes when a pill wore off I felt as bad as or worse than when I took it. It seemed like a vicious circle. This went on for a long time.
\nThen I learned of\u00a0Christian Science, the Science of divine Love. It made such wonderful sense to me.\u00a0Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, writes in \u201cScience and Health with Key to the Scriptures,\u201d \u201cOur proportionate admission of the claims of good or of evil determines the harmony of our existence \u2026\u201d (p. 167). I realized this wasn\u2019t about just thinking happy thoughts but about grounding one\u2019s thought in the spiritual fact of God\u2019s goodness and love for all and our true identity as His children.
\nAs I eagerly began studying these ideas, slowly, little by little, I became more and more confident that as God\u2019s spiritual offspring I was being cared for by my heavenly Father-Mother at every moment and in every way.
\nThen one day I realized I no longer needed the Valium pills and poured them down the drain. What a relief that was! I saw I could rely on God for peace of mind, poise, and health. The ongoing loving, intelligent thoughts God communicates to all His children were my medicine. And the panic attacks completely stopped.
\nLater I learned that it was generally accepted that a Valium dosage such as I\u2019d had, and with the duration of time I\u2019d depended on it, required gradual withdrawal increments. I\u2019d seen, however, that God\u2019s way was the way of deliverance. My actions left no egregious side effects. My need was so meticulously met that I knew it had to be the result of my Father-Mother\u2019s impeccable shepherding. God had kept me as He\u2019d made me: whole and free. Just as the mistaken sense of identity with those who assume I\u2019m the famous politician is thrown off when I show people who I actually am, the excitable addict view of myself that I had learned to live with was thrown off by the God-defined view and reality of my true identity.
\nWe may have the same last name as multitudes of others or a voice or face that prompts others to say, Wow, you remind me so much of my Uncle Harry, or that Channel 7 weatherman. But our loving Father-Mother could never mistake us or anyone we know for another. He knows each of us as divine Love\u2019s original witness and offspring \u2013 a distinctive, one-of-a-kind beam of God\u2019s light \u2013 and this understanding satisfies and heals.
\n", "content_text": "This article appeared in the February 04, 2019 edition of the Monitor Daily.\nListen:\nhttps://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2019/02/cs_perspective-190204-collinss-identity.mp3\nAs it happens, I have almost the exact same name as a well-known politician. For this reason, some most unusual experiences have come my way. For example, I\u2019ve been given political mementos with this individual\u2019s name and received emails intended for her. I\u2019ve even received a phone call from someone endeavoring to sway me to a particular side of a legislative bill. All because my name matches that of a famous someone else!\nThis has led me to consider a more substantial way in which we can also be misidentified. We become so very used to seeing ourselves purely in terms of personal characteristics, our human ups and downs and even our visible features, that we may not realize there\u2019s another way of identifying ourselves \u2013 a spiritual way, and it actually gives us a clearer sense of our identity.\nThere are many ways the Bible reveals this deeper, spiritual identity, but I\u2019ve been particularly inspired by a passage in the Scriptures that tells how, when Jesus was baptized, there was \u201ca voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased\u201d (Matthew 3:17). God knew precisely who Jesus truly was. Jesus pleased Him.\nWhile Jesus\u2019 identity as the Son of God was unique, there\u2019s a lesson here for all of us. If God is our creator, as the Bible informs us, each of us too must be one of His beloved children, Her unique heir. And since God is Spirit, we are in fact the very expression of spiritual attributes, such as wholeness and beauty. I like to think of everyone\u2019s true nature as analogous to a gorgeous bouquet or a harmonious symphony: We may each include the same flowers or musical notes, but we\u2019re all arranged and composed differently.\nThis is to say, as the expression of divine Spirit\u2019s nature, each of us is spiritual, incomparable, complete.\nI\u2019ve found that understanding how God knows us in this way is most valuable. It brings healing, taking us beyond confining, mistaken views of ourselves and others as flawed mortals.\nAt one time in my life I began to experience severe panic attacks. I never knew when they were going to happen. I\u2019d begun to identify myself as a nervous mortal who was easily shaken and way too sensitive.\nA doctor prescribed Valium, a rather potent tranquilizer, at quite a high dosage. Eventually I became addicted. Sometimes when a pill wore off I felt as bad as or worse than when I took it. It seemed like a vicious circle. This went on for a long time.\nThen I learned of\u00a0Christian Science, the Science of divine Love. It made such wonderful sense to me.\u00a0Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, writes in \u201cScience and Health with Key to the Scriptures,\u201d \u201cOur proportionate admission of the claims of good or of evil determines the harmony of our existence \u2026\u201d (p. 167). I realized this wasn\u2019t about just thinking happy thoughts but about grounding one\u2019s thought in the spiritual fact of God\u2019s goodness and love for all and our true identity as His children.\nAs I eagerly began studying these ideas, slowly, little by little, I became more and more confident that as God\u2019s spiritual offspring I was being cared for by my heavenly Father-Mother at every moment and in every way.\nThen one day I realized I no longer needed the Valium pills and poured them down the drain. What a relief that was! I saw I could rely on God for peace of mind, poise, and health. The ongoing loving, intelligent thoughts God communicates to all His children were my medicine. And the panic attacks completely stopped.\nLater I learned that it was generally accepted that a Valium dosage such as I\u2019d had, and with the duration of time I\u2019d depended on it, required gradual withdrawal increments. I\u2019d seen, however, that God\u2019s way was the way of deliverance. My actions left no egregious side effects. My need was so meticulously met that I knew it had to be the result of my Father-Mother\u2019s impeccable shepherding. God had kept me as He\u2019d made me: whole and free. Just as the mistaken sense of identity with those who assume I\u2019m the famous politician is thrown off when I show people who I actually am, the excitable addict view of myself that I had learned to live with was thrown off by the God-defined view and reality of my true identity.\nWe may have the same last name as multitudes of others or a voice or face that prompts others to say, Wow, you remind me so much of my Uncle Harry, or that Channel 7 weatherman. But our loving Father-Mother could never mistake us or anyone we know for another. He knows each of us as divine Love\u2019s original witness and offspring \u2013 a distinctive, one-of-a-kind beam of God\u2019s light \u2013 and this understanding satisfies and heals.", "date_published": "2019-02-05T23:47:00-05:00", "date_modified": "2019-11-05T18:43:07-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Audio", "News", "Podcast" ], "attachments": [ { "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2019/02/cs_perspective-190204-collinss-identity.mp3", "mime_type": "audio/mpeg", "size_in_bytes": 7841460 } ] }, { "id": "https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=234", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/2017/10/20/healing-broken-hearts/", "title": "Healing broken hearts \u2013 Article and Daily Lift audio", "content_html": "
\nAugust 2017
\nOvercoming Heartbreak
\nSusan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.
\n\n
The end of a friendship or a promising romance can feel pretty devastating. I\u2019ve found help in two ideas in Mary Baker Eddy\u2019s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: \u201cHuman affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return\u201d (p. 57). And, referring to God as divine Love, \u201cLove supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world\u2026.\u201d
\nCan divine Love really heal a broken heart? The Gospel of Mark in the Bible reassures us: \u201cWith men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible\u201d (10:27).
\nOnce I fell in love with a warm and witty man. He was well read, and we could talk about anything. But despite our common interests, it became obvious we had major differences, and our relationship ended. The dreams, the plans … dashed!
\nI learned that although sharing and companionship are a great blessing, the kingdom of heaven \u2013 full and lasting happiness \u2013 is within each of us, as Christ Jesus taught (see Luke 17:21). We truly live within the consciousness of divine Love, and the tatters of sadness and grief don\u2019t abide there, for us or anyone.
\nIt wasn\u2019t always easy, but this was a time of spiritual growth that turned out to be a great blessing for both me and my friend. The fact is, these types of experiences can enrich our character, draw our thought closer to our Maker, and inspire our efforts to help others. We can go forward and find genuine peace and renewed joy.
\n\u200bA version of this article aired on the Aug. 31, 2017, Christian Science Daily Lift podcast.
\nPublished on CSMonitor.com
\n", "content_text": "August 2017\nOvercoming Heartbreak\nSusan Collins, CSB, from New York, New York, USA.\n \nhttps://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2017/10/Overcoming-Heartbreak-Daily-Lift-by-Susan-Collins.m4a\nA Christian Science perspective: Realizing that we can never be separated from divine Love brings genuine peace and a renewed sense of joy.\nThe end of a friendship or a promising romance can feel pretty devastating. I\u2019ve found help in two ideas in Mary Baker Eddy\u2019s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: \u201cHuman affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return\u201d (p. 57). And, referring to God as divine Love, \u201cLove supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world\u2026.\u201d\nCan divine Love really heal a broken heart? The Gospel of Mark in the Bible reassures us: \u201cWith men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible\u201d (10:27).\nOnce I fell in love with a warm and witty man. He was well read, and we could talk about anything. But despite our common interests, it became obvious we had major differences, and our relationship ended. The dreams, the plans … dashed!\nFor a time I really struggled, but I prayed to gain peace, healing. Gradually I began to understand that because God created everyone, He naturally governs and relates all of us to each other and to all that is good. These relations can only bless. I began to feel that I could truly lean on God for guidance and direction, and know that our true keeper had a purpose of good for myself \u2013 and my friend.\nI learned that although sharing and companionship are a great blessing, the kingdom of heaven \u2013 full and lasting happiness \u2013 is within each of us, as Christ Jesus taught (see Luke 17:21). We truly live within the consciousness of divine Love, and the tatters of sadness and grief don\u2019t abide there, for us or anyone.\nAs I became more aware of this spiritual reality, I found I was increasingly joyful, rather than disappointed or lonely. I became more conscientious about watching the kinds of thoughts I was letting in, entertaining, and sending out.\n\nIt wasn\u2019t always easy, but this was a time of spiritual growth that turned out to be a great blessing for both me and my friend. The fact is, these types of experiences can enrich our character, draw our thought closer to our Maker, and inspire our efforts to help others. We can go forward and find genuine peace and renewed joy.\n\u200bA version of this article aired on the Aug. 31, 2017, Christian Science Daily Lift podcast.\nPublished on CSMonitor.com", "date_published": "2017-10-20T20:55:08-04:00", "date_modified": "2019-02-05T23:46:47-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Audio", "News", "Published Articles", "Your Daily Lift" ], "attachments": [ { "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2017/10/Overcoming-Heartbreak-Daily-Lift-by-Susan-Collins.m4a", "mime_type": "", "size_in_bytes": 0 } ] }, { "id": "https://susancollinscsb.com/?p=154", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/2016/03/24/spiritualizing-thought-from-the-christian-science-sentinel-news-of-healing-podcast/", "title": "\u201cSpiritualizing thought\u201d \u2013 From the Christian Science Sentinel News of Healing Podcast", "content_html": "\nOriginally shared on the Christian Science Sentinel\u00a0News of Healing podcast:
\n\nSusan needed healing. What she read in\u00a0Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures\u00a0spiritualized her thought. And this new view of God and man brought healing.
More:\u00a0http://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1fobz7fpo5i?s=e
\n", "content_text": "https://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2016/04/slnh_1613.mp3\nOriginally shared on the Christian Science Sentinel\u00a0News of Healing podcast:\nSusan needed healing. What she read in\u00a0Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures\u00a0spiritualized her thought. And this new view of God and man brought healing.\nMore:\u00a0http://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1fobz7fpo5i?s=e", "date_published": "2016-03-24T02:04:51-04:00", "date_modified": "2019-02-05T23:46:47-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Audio", "Healings", "News", "Podcast" ], "attachments": [ { "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/468/files/2016/04/slnh_1613.mp3", "mime_type": "audio/mpeg", "size_in_bytes": 6884961 } ] }, { "id": "http://susancollinscs.com/?p=81", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/2015/04/14/your-daily-lift-for-41415-active-prayer-by-susan-collins-cs/", "title": "Your Daily Lift for 4/14/15 \u2013 Active prayer \u2013 by Susan Collins, CSB", "content_html": "![\"4-14-active-prayer_small\"](\"https://susancollinscs.com/files/2015/04/4-14-active-prayer_small.jpg\")
Click the player to listen:
\n\nOriginally published on Your Daily Lift / ChristianScience.com
\nhttp://christianscience.com/prayer-and-health/inspirational-media/your-daily-lift/4-14-active-prayer
Welcome to my new site. \u00a0I hope to share inspiration, examples of healing and progress and how we can all see improvements in our lives through the application of Christian Science.
\n", "content_text": "Welcome to my new site. \u00a0I hope to share inspiration, examples of healing and progress and how we can all see improvements in our lives through the application of Christian Science.", "date_published": "2013-02-05T16:32:37-05:00", "date_modified": "2019-02-05T23:46:47-05:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Susan Collins, C.S.B.", "url": "https://susancollinscsb.com/author/susancollins/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d0bb7912b4b45a14fddf7d11f4800f7aa93a4f9f6e6c71df4d55fe83fe13bf9e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "News" ] } ] }