In Canberra Friday evening, I took a walk down a long street to find a restaurant.
On my jaunt, I passed a collection of mail boxes that immediately caught my eye. On several post boxes were little plaques that read, “No Junk Mail Thank You.”
“Are you serious!” I laughed out loud.
Does that really work? Can you engrave “No junk mail,” on your mailbox and expect to receive no unsolicited, unwanted mail? I wanted to know.
I had no idea…but they wouldn’t do it if it didn’t work, would they?
What have the Aussie’s figured out about mail delivery that we Americans haven’t?
I would love to place “No junk mail thank you,” on my box and unburden the load every day. But I think the post man would laugh at me….
The Nation’s Capital
Canberra is Australia’s capital city. Did you know that? Its role was planned ahead of time.
I was told that years ago, citizens of Sydney and Melbourne were arguing over which should be the capital of the country, until the nation’s leaders decided to settle the dispute by building a city half-way between the two metropolises. They hired an urban architect and had him design a city fit for the job, which explains why the landscape and cityscape come across as orderly and put together. My schedule was tight that day, and I don’t have any pictures to show you. Sorry about that.
I had to chuckle when I entered the lecture hall, which was located in a Legislative Building, because at the front entrance was a security system one had to walk through to enter.
In a humorous mood, I sought a metaphysical angle to it all, “Aw, security alert! No unspiritual thoughts allowed! Check them at the door.”
The lecture that evening was quite fun because there were so many newcomers in attendance. It was a younger audience overall than I had seen that week, which perhaps speaks for a certain vitality of the community. I’m not sure.
One woman asked me if I was associated with a church in her community she was familiar with called, “Jesus the Master Scientist.” I thought not. She said the pastor preached on Jesus’ mastery of the physical sciences.
My highlight of the evening was afterward when a newcomer told me how the lecture had helped her and that she was going to pursue an avid study of Christian Science and start attending church services. She seemed quite committed to her new discovery.
It was a very fruitful evening,
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| Canberra auditorium before lecture |
THAT’S ALL??
That looks like a beautiful room to be in.
What a great idea, no junk mail (thoughts) allowed.
Isn’t it wonderful that life can be that simple! A day to learn that Canberra is the capitol of Australia, for those of us who admit to not knowing, and a day to learn how it came about.
Thank you Evan for taking the time to share a pleasant and simple share and funny too- I like the humor around the “No Junk Mail Thank You,”
In Switzerland to place a sticker with ‘no junk mail'(in French or German, of course) is working 🙂
Sometimes it’s good to remember that “one with God is a majority” as is the case with your newcomer who’s pursuing a study of Christian Science. Also I often know, while serving at the Reading Room, that the next CS teacher, or lecturer, or practitioner may be coming, so I’d better be ready to sit at the Master’s feet to receive his gentle ministrations, so I can be of service. “God is working Her purpose out, and the time is now, that the earth shall be filled with the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea.” What a joy that God has put you in this work to bless mankind.
Dear Evan, Thanks so much for being a witness telling the worth of CS “to call and entreat every nation” as hymn 204 words rewritten with Christian Science lecturers in mind as it states in the hymnal concordance. Your joyous sharing of Christian Science is blessing so many, including the readers of your blog. What a great thought “Security alert! No unspiritual thoughts allowed..my guide for today.
Hi Evan
I currently live in Switzerland where we have the no junk mail thing and am Australian, where I know it works. But most of all I wanted to thank you for the WONDERFUL, INSPIRING work you are doing! I’ve listened to two of your online lectures and they’ve inspired me no end! God bless you!!!
Jodie