Article August 23, 1930 Issue

Years

UNA B. WILLARD

HOW splendid is the right contemplation of advancing years in the face of so much one hears of the depressing side, such as, "Positions are not to be had," "Things cannot be done as of yore," "Mental capabilities are waning," and so forth.

When the writer came into Christian Science the scientific attitude toward advancing years was one of the first ideas to make a strong appeal. How true and unimpeachable is our Leader's stand in regard to youth and age! To conceive of the qualities of God as becoming old would be beyond reason. They are as old as eternity itself and as young as the youngest flower that blooms. They are unchangeable, ever present, and always powerful; never knowing immaturity or overmaturity; never incapacited, never useless, never without place, never approaching death. Mrs. Eddy tells us (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 509) that "the periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind's creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness—yea, the divine nature—appear in man and the universe never to disappear." How splendid it is, then, to contemplate the passing years as enriched by the establishment in consciousness of the divine qualities, and to look to the years to come as marvelous opportunities for coming nearer to the divine nature and for enjoying the fruits of right thinking.

Elasticity, adaptability, adjustability, and flexibility are qualities of Mind that are sometimes overlooked. In forming opinions one often looks upon a certain human concept as correct, instead of realizing that our highest sense of right must forever yield to a higher spiritual sense, until at last the mortal gives place to the divine. With this continuous putting off of the old man and putting on of the new man,—that is, by establishing in consciousness right mental adaptability, flexibility, adjustability, and elasticity, as well as other divine qualities,—one is enabled to maintain an elasticity of step; and also evidences of achievement, of hopeful, certain progress, are traced in one's countenance.

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