There are many hearts hoping for something more in life. And there are inspired and inspiring answers available to satisfy those hopeful hearts. Often, what connects the dots between hoping for and getting answers is someone sharing insights and the source of their insights.

That’s what happened to me at university, when I harbored deep concern for my future and the world’s. A friend shared insights from a meeting he regularly attended on campus. Finally, he bought me a copy of a book that I didn’t think I wanted and that introduced me to spiritual answers I didn’t realize I needed. But the author’s ideas clicked with me, and my life was transformed by learning of a higher, holier consciousness where healing happens that, until then, I didn’t know existed. I was receptive because my heart yearned for better answers, and I have been endlessly grateful ever since to my friend for sharing in the way he did.

The campus meeting was the Christian Science organization, a group of students and faculty that met regularly for spiritual inspiration and support, and the book he gave me was Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. One way this book describes that higher consciousness, which was best exemplified in Jesus, is, “The spiritual man’s consciousness and individuality are reflections of God” (p. 336). Every glimpse of the fact that our true identity is the reflection of divine Love, God, brings to light a freedom that doesn’t just offer future hope but unveils a here-and-now harmony. That was the gift of gifts that my friend’s sharing gave me, to which I can now trace back decades of healing, clarity about the way forward in career and relationships, and insight and inspiration on how to address society’s broader issues of concern.