One day as I sat to eat my lunch along the scenic San Francisco waterfront, I had a new take on the sign, "Don't Feed the Birds!"

I love the beauty and freedom birds represent; yet I know from experience that if I feed just one bird, I'll soon be surrounded by a flock. On that particular day, I'd just started to take out my sandwich when a seagull swooped in and landed right next to me. Had I stretched out my hand, I could have touched him. Within seconds another landed at my feet, followed by four pigeons. My sandwich wasn't even unwrapped yet!

This whole scenario caused me to think about a vital component of prayer that I've come to understand through my study of Christian Science. As I've taken steps toward giving all of my attention to God and His goodness, to feel and respond only to His love all around me, I've experienced both peace and healing.

On the other hand, I've also seen how one worry or concern, nurtured and fed, can turn into many other concerns that may have had nothing to do with the initial anxiety—just as feeding one or two birds in the park attracts a variety of birds until a whole flock is swooping around you. But when I stop feeding the fear and giving it my attention, it naturally lessens and my joy and peace return. To stay with my lunchtime analogy, when I don't toss crumbs from my sandwich, one by one the birds disappear.

What was going on around me is similar to how the carnal mind works. The words carnal mind are used in the Bible to indicate whatever is opposed to God, or divine Love. The Apostle Paul wrote, "The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). God, being all good, gives only thoughts of peace. Therefore, if a thought comes that encourages fear, pain, or anger, instead of peace or joy, I know it is of the carnal mind—not of God—so I don't have to accept it.

One morning I saw this truth more clearly. I woke up feeling extremely discouraged and depressed. It wasn't the first time I'd felt so heavy, and I decided to call a Christian Science practitioner to pray with me. She asked me to look for examples throughout the day of God's love for me. At that moment, it seemed like a pretty tall order, but I agreed to try. I knew that God's love was everywhere, yet I was feeling alone and downhearted. But while taking the train to work, I noticed small bunches of purple flowers blooming along the side of the tracks. They were so beautiful, and I suddenly saw them as an expression of God's love for me.

As the day progressed, there were other examples of God's care: from someone holding a door open for me, to a smile from a complete stranger. I soon realized that I was surrounded by evidence of divine Love. Gradually the heaviness lifted as I quit nurturing feelings of discouragement and depression, and instead watched for goodness in my day. As I focused on filling my thoughts with kindness and love, I soon felt so buoyed that the gloom just lifted. It was as if someone had taken a heavy load off my shoulders.

Looking for, and recognizing, expressions of God's presence allows this powerful law of Love to operate in our thinking, and therefore in our experience. This law is in operation 24/7, whether or not we see and feel it, and it blesses everyone. For example, I'm convinced that the person who opened the door for me, as well as the stranger who smiled, were practicing this law of Love, even if they weren't aware they were—and I think we were all blessed by these actions.

This may seem like a simple experience, but it has been a wonderful springboard, giving me confidence to turn more quickly to God when faced with discouraging thoughts or situations. I've realized that I don't have to nurture discouragement, thus allowing it to take away my God-given joy. Instead, I can at once turn to God and feel His presence, denying entrance to the thoughts that proclaim the opposite of good. And with practice I'm getting better at it!

A friend once told me, "We are not responsible for the problems that come to us; we're only responsible for what we do with them." I was not responsible for the discouragement I felt that morning, any more than I was for the two seagulls and the four pigeons joining me for lunch. But it is my responsibility not to nurture sadness, but let love and joy, gratitude and grace, overflow to others. css