This blog contains responses to blog prompts, & thoughts on spiritual or religious themes |
Disclaimer: Any views, about religion or sacred scriptures, expressed in this blog are my own and not the official views of the Baha'i Faith or any other religion. If you wish to know more about the Baha'i Faith, please check one of these websites: The Baha'i Faith: The Official Website of the Worldwide Baha'i Community or Baha'is of the United States . "The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers." Abdu'l-Baha1 Other Blogs and Journals Content Rating 18+ "Writing in Snow" "The Snowflake Chronicles" "Snow Melt" "More Snow Melt" "Welcome to My Life" "Melting Snow" "Memories of Snow" "Dreams of Snow " "Poem Experiments" "Devotional Poetry" Other Journals Content Rating ASR "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" "Treasures lie hidden beneath the throne of God; the key to those treasures if the tongue of poets." The Bab "O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord." Bahá’u’lláh2 Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 18 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, April 7, 2019 "Meditate on what the poet hath written: “Wonder not, if my Best-Beloved be closer to me than mine own self; wonder at this, that I, despite such nearness, should still be so far from Him.”… Considering what God hath revealed, that “We are closer to man than his life-vein,” the poet hath, in allusion to this verse, stated that, though the revelation of my Best-Beloved hath so permeated my being that He is closer to me than my life-vein, yet, notwithstanding my certitude of its reality and my recognition of my station, I am still so far removed from Him. By this he meaneth that his heart, which is the seat of the All-Merciful and the throne wherein abideth the splendor of His revelation, is forgetful of its Creator, hath strayed from His path, hath shut out itself from His glory, and is stained with the defilement of earthly desires." Baha'u'llah3 Writing Spiritual or Mystic Poetry I meditate on the poetry of the spirit, on the verses revealed by Baha'u'llah and The Bab. I contemplate the similes and metaphors of the sacred scriptures. I enter the zone of creativity and begin to write, knowing that no matter how perfect my verses they do not compare with those inscribed by either the Pen of Glory4 or the Gate of God5 Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 17 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, April 6, 2019
DAY 1935: Scientists have discovered there are humans (not aliens) living on another planet, but they have one major difference when compared to Earthlings. What's that difference, and what are their lives like? The main difference is that they don't fight and kill each other over religion, national origin, color, or gender differences. They believe that each individual is a unique creation of the Unknowable Creator, who has many names. They believe that each religion was sent from the Creator to guide them through the stages of their social and spiritual evolution. Another belief is that religion and science are compatible, and that both are gifts from the Divine Creator. They believe that both are intended to help their civilization and each individual attain his or her fullest potential.
DAY 2330: It's midnight and you or your character can't fall asleep. How do you or your character get to sleep? Another sleepless night. I got up, removed all the bedclothes covering my recliner, sprayed the recliner with rubbing alcohol, let it dry, and put everything back on. Next I ate three small pieces of chocolate, and attempted to read some scripture passage on my smartphone app. I say attempted because I kept falling asleep. I finally got to sleep. However, I didn't sleep more than a couple of hours before waking up at about 7:30 a.m. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Friday, April 5, 2019 After a Sleepless Night After a sleepless night, I stare out my front door and watch shadow dance across the dark pavement of Sunrise Avenue. After a sleepless night I listen to a pigeon coo, calling to who: Lost sleep? After a sleepless night, I watch the sun's bright rays cast deep shadows, while gray clouds attempt to hide the blue sky and conceal the sun. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 15 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, April 4, 2019
DAY 2328: Use these words in your post today: shadow, night, feast, ascension, hour, life and genius. Have fun. Festival of Ridvan In about seventeen day the Festival of Riḍván begins, during which Baha'is across the world celebrate the Declaration of Baha'u'llah. Riḍván, which means paradise, last twelve days and the first, ninth, and twelfth day are Holy Days. This festival began in 1863, just before Baha'u'llah left Baghdad. The festival was held in a garden on an island outside the city. The garden was called Ridvan or Paradise by those who attended or visited Baha'u'llah while he was on that island. "It is the Festival of Riḍván, the vernal season wherein the Beauty of the All-Glorious was revealed betwixt earth and heaven. In this wondrous Day the gates of Paradise were flung open before the faces of all people, at the behest of Him Who is the All-Praised, and the outpourings of divine mercy rained down from the clouds of celestial favour upon His countless embodiments and manifestations in the world of being." Baha'u'llah6 In the shadows of evening, I contemplate Feast of Paradise. How wonderful it must have been to be present at the hour when Baha'u'llah proclaimed that He was the one foretold by the Bab; that He was the Promised on of All Religions. Each night roses bloomed and nightingales sing celebrating the Declaration of the King of kings, the Lord of Hosts, and the one who fulfilled the Promises of all the Holy Books. Poet's Note I meditate on the meaning of the scriptures revealed by Baha'u'llah. I am not a genius. I am a poet attempting to write ode to the Baha'u'llah, the Glory of God, and The Bab, the Gate of God. I am a poet attempting to proclaim my faith before the ascension of my soul into the spiritual world, where life is eternal. I write a best I can of what I can understand. Footnotes |
‘Idál (Justice), 14 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, April 3, 2019 There are 209 days until October 29, I have finished seven poems dedicated to The Bab, and placed them in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . In addition I have six lines, which could go in a poem. I can't seen the think of a title or a theme, although, I could use one of the miscellaneous lines as either the them or the title. The poems I have finished are "1 Muharram 1235 AH" , "Intoning the Prayer of The Bab" , "The Great Trumpet Has Sounded" , "Portal of Grace: To The Bab" , "The Wayfarer's Journey Begins" , "Who is The Bab?" , and "Declaration of The Bab" . I'm reading The Dawn-Breakers again, and have finished the first chapter. If I'm lucky I will finish the other 193 poems and the book before October 29. It isn't that I haven't had any inspiration, I have. It's just that none of the inspiration has involved poems dedicated to the Bab. I'v listened to a couple of Luke Slott's talks about the Gate of Heaven, and the stories from The Dawn-Breakers. I think I will begin listening to those videos from the beginning, and see if I can find more inspiration. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 13 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, April 2, 2019
DAY 2326: Use these words in your entry: spring, wind, flowers, showers, nightingale. Poetry of Spring The poetry of spring falls in warm showers upon the cold gardens of winter. Wind carries the nightingale's song to flowers, sleeping beneath the frigid soil, awakening them from sleep.
DAY 1931t: What is the best way to make a real and effective apology? Making Apologizes Sorry isn't enough actions speak louder than words show me your remorse. |
Kamál (Perfection), 12 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Monday, April 1, 2019
DAY 1930: “Happiness is an expression of gratitude. It’s never wrong to be grateful,” a character advises his grandchild in Amy Harmon’s What the Wind Knows. In what ways are gratitude and happiness connected, and what do you think about this advice? Gratitude and Happiness Gratitude and happiness are both spiritual attributes. People can't be happy if they don't believe they have anything to give thanks for. In order for happiness to be fully realized, we have to learn to be grateful under all conditions. No matter what befalls people in their physical, financial, or social life there is always something to be thankful for. Sometimes the difficulties of life blind us to the little--and sometimes abstract--things we have to be grateful for. When this happens, we have to look harder to express our gratitude.
DAY 2325: What is your favorite poem? Who is your favorite poet? My Favorite Poet and Poem Who is my favorite poet? I've thought a long time about this because over the decades I've read numerous poets, most of whom I liked. My favorite poet is Tahirih, the Babi poet and the only woman among the Bab's Letters of the Living. I've read translations of several of her poems, and the one that is my favorite is Point by Point . |
Jamál (Beauty), 11 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, March 31, 2019 Sunday Thougjhts I feel as if I've wasted the morning, which isn't entirely true. I also feel guilty because I've posted some personal issues on Facebook, which couldn't be helped because its the only way I can contact some of my family members. I suppose I could have waited until Monday, but I was so stress over the problem that I had to do something to relieve the stress, so I posted a poem about the problem. I'm afraid I will be homeless by the end of April, unless I get a little more financial help. Ever since moving into this apartment in December, my finances have gotten worse. I borrowed money in January and February to relieve the situation, unfortunately that put me deeper into debt. I still owe money on the security deposit, which I was going to pay this month. That's not possible, and I'm short with the rent money as well. I posted about it yesterday. The only response I got from my family concerned food and the promise of gift card to a nearby supermarket. Food isn't the problem. It's weird that the first thing people seem to think is that sending a senior citizen food will solve the financial problem. That isn't always the case. Living on the Brink of Homelessness7 On this bright Sunday morning, darkness and hopelessness surrounds me. There is a solution to my problems which I cannot see because of the hopeless fog generated by fear of what will happen in the coming month. Living on a fixed income, is living on the brink of homelessness. At this point, I need financial assistance not food, because food can be received at food banks. I could be homeless before the end of April! I don't know what's going to happen in April. Maybe the fear of being homeless is unfounded. At this point, I'm tired of the stress. The only way for me to deal with it is to pray and write. I'm saying the Tablet of Ahmad, one of the most powerful prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah. In fact, I've said it so often that I've almost learned it by heart. A friend responded to the poem. I haven't had a response from anyone else; however, I will check Facebook again today. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 10 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, March 30, 2019
DAY 1929: Everyone's addicted to something in some shape or form. What are the things you can't go without? Addiction Versus Attachment What is the difference between an addiction and an attachment? According to dictionary.com an addiction is "the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma."8 While attachment is defined as (1) "an act of attaching or the state of being attached" or (2) "a feeling that binds one to a person, thing, cause, ideal, or the like; devotion; regard."9 One can be attached to something they can't live without, but its not a full blown addiction until losing it causes trauma. I've been attached to many things throughout my 72 years. When I lost some of those things I mourned them, but the lose wasn't traumatic. I learned to let go and move on with my life. I learned that I could live without them. I still have attachments--at present I am attached to my mother's prayer beads--which bring back good memories of people and places I've been. If I lose those things, I will still have the memories. It's the memories that are important rather than the things. I learned the importance of memories, when I was taking care of my mother. The Alzheimer's disease stole her memories, and the things that should have brought those memories back didn't. She couldn't remember that her parents were dead. She couldn't remember where they were buried. She could remember she and my father were divorced. If I reminded her of those things, she cried. When Mom brought up either subject, instead of reminding her of the truth, I lied to her. I told her her parent were visiting Israel or were living in a senior citizens home in Blackwell. If she asked whether the her parents called, I told her they had called, while she was working or shopping. She didn't remember she was retired or didn't go shopping any more. If she asked about my father, I told her he was at work. She didn't question my explanation and she forget she asked. Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory), 10 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, March 30, 2019
PROMPT: March 30th - You made it to the last day of the competition! Write a poem or brief reflection on the month as a whole. March Reflections March is a lion or a lamb depending upon the speed of the wind. March is either stressful or delightful depending upon the interplay of events and emotions. On the last Saturday in March 2019 , I contemplate the month's lion and the lamb winds; this year they reflected the events and emotions of my personal life. I inhale the morning chill, whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for surviving the month, and move on-- knowing that April will either be stressful or delightful. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Friday, March 29, 2019
PROMPT: March 29th - It's a fact that coming up with these prompts every day doesn't come easy. I spend the entire off months brainstorming! I'd love your help! Write a list of at least 5 blogging prompts to add to the Challenge War Chest to be used for future rounds of the 30DBC. Choose one of your own prompts to write about to complete your entry. Friday, March 29, isn't a good time to ask me to provide my own prompt. I have lived in this apartment since December and things, especially my finances, appears to be getting worse. I'm frustrated, afraid, and on the verge of tears, which always happens when I'm frustrated and afraid. No matter what I try there is a road block, I went to apply online for Section 8 rental assistance, and it cost $15.00 which I don't have in my checking account at this time, and a may not have it until May--if I still have a checking account in May. I'm fairly sure my checking account will be overdrawn before the middle of the month. Alright, I need to take a different approach to the the finances in the coming month. The problem is that I don't know what else to do. Everywhere I turn I encounter a road block, or something preventing me for moving forward, backward, or sideways. Sometimes it seems that nobody cares, which probably isn't true. It just that I can't see a way out of this situation. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. I don't know. I just posted a rant on Facebook, which I usually don't do, but I didn't know what else to do. I started a gratitude list today, and have managed to put only one thing on it. I know I have more to be grateful for, but I just can't see it at this time. I feel like everything I've did over the past few days has been a waste of time. I haven't been writing much, which may be why I feel my efforts are wasted. I never feel my efforts are wasted when I write. I went to the doctor today, and while I was waiting for the paratranset bus, I wrote a poem. Now I have to transpose it and rewrite it in the journal. I don't feel like doing that. I'm depressed because of the finances. I'm writing whatever comes to mind without pay attention to anything except spelling. I'm going to post this now, find my prayer book, and say some more prayers. I need to find a solution, but I just don't see the solution or the path to the solution. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, March 28, 2019
PROMPT March 28th - Besides family members and pets, what is the one thing you would grab when escaping your home in a fire? Before exiting house make sure it's the smoke alarm sounding and not the cooking time. Whenever I'm by the computer or sleeping in my recliner, which I do every night, my smartphone lays on top of three books. I can just reach out and pick up all four items in one hand. I would grab those items and leave the house. After making sure it was the smoke alarm, because the smoke alarm doubles as a cooking timer. The books with my smartphone are (1) my prayer book, (2) a book containing prayers revealed by the Bab, and (3) The Book of Certitude.
DAY 2321: Clothing designer and sustainability consultant Tara St. James says the fabrics or the cloth preference we choose to wear tells our life story. What does your clothing choices say about you? Is your preference the same as it was ten years ago or has your preferences evolved with life style changes? I agree with Ms St. James that the clothes a person wears says a lot about them. I'm not so sure about the fabric because many people don't--unless they have an allergy to a certain fabric--don't look at the fabric label until they need to clean the item. As for what my clothes say about me, I haven't asked anyone. I know that my clothing choices say I'm not a fashionista, and that I don't wear wool (I'm allergic to wool).
Day 1927: "Saying nothing sometimes says the most." Emily Dickinson Do you agree with Emily? Silence isn't always a virtue, sometimes it is a curse. Sometimes being silent on a controversial issue implies agreement. Silence may not always imply agreement, because there are other reasons for remaining silent, especially in a situation where abusers are involved. One might also remain silent when dealing with a relative who brings up controversial issues just to start an argument. It is usually better to state ones beliefs calmly and firmly. If an argument start either change the subject or walk--in some cases walk backwards--away. |
‘Idál (Justice), 7 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, March 27, 2019
PROMPT: March 27th - From the War Chest! Write about a significant person in your past who had an impact in shaping who you are today. Weariness set in, in the midnight hours dreams come and go: Mama, Grandma, Grandpa, 'Abdu'l-Baha, or Baha'u'llah. Why doesn't my father appear in my dreams? Is it because Daddy's influence wasn't as significant as I thought? Or is it because the scars of his leaving have healed over and left tear-stained rainbows on my soul. There are other men who no longer appear in my dreams: Have I forgiven them for hurting me, or myself for hanging onto the hurt? In my senior years the only people appearing in my dreams are those who encourage me. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, March 26, 2019
PROMPT: March 26th - What is your opinion of social media? Do you use it? If so, what is your social platform of choice? Social media is a good way for families and friends across the country and the world to keep in touch. I am a member of Facebook, because it was, and still is, the only way for me to keep in regular touch with most of my family. Not that I have a very big family. I much prefer to communicate with fellow Baha'is and my friends on Facebook.
DAY 1925: What do you think is the difference between a time you realized the hard way that you were mistaken and a time you were embarrassed for being inappropriately dressed for an occasion? If given a choice, which one would you prefer to happen to you or which one would one of your fictional characters choose? There is a 90% chance that, someone, will think I'm inappropriately dressed anyplace I go. It doesn't bother me anymore. I usually wear what is comfortable for me. I don't consider any fashions that are "in style", with certain and very specific items, as appropriate for me.
DAY 2319: April is National Poetry Month. Do you have any special poetry plans for April? Are you going to write poetry or simply read it? Do you have a book to for your Nation Poetry Month Poems? I plan to participate in National Poetry Month by writing, reading, and reviewing poetry poetry. Right now I'm writing a series of 200 poems dedicated to the Bab, which will be posted in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . Any other poems I write specific for National Poetry Month will be posted in "National Poetry Writing Month" . I may also post some poems in "Snow Scribbles" and/or "Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond" . |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Monday, March 25, 2019
PROMPT: March 25th - Why do you write? What motivates you to continue learning and enhancing your skill? Is there something specific you want to improve on? How will you go about doing so? What Motivates Me To Write? My motivation has changed over the years. Now it's the desire to write and reading the scriptures and prayer revealed by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. In 2019, my motivation is to write 200 poems dedicated to The Bab. I have completed six poems and placed them in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" , with the poems that I wrote in 2017 dedicated to Baha'u'llah.
DAY 2318: Title Prompt: The Golden Years. Take this in any direction you want. The Golden Years Why do we call them The Golden Years, when for many they are full of fears and tears. Yesterday, I wonder why they were called the golden years. Many senior citizens are living on a fixed income that needs to be fixed because they don't have enough to pay bills and purchase medication at the same time. Yesterday, my mood was focused on the darker side of life because I didn't, and still don't, have enough money coming in in April to pay all my bills. Fortunately, I have SNAP, senior commodities, and a food bank within walking distance; so I won't starve in April. I'll pay the rent, but I still owe $100.00 on the security deposit; which I don't have enough to cover and pay other bills. I have two doctor's appointments this month and one next month. I think two of those three will cost me a co-pay in addition to what I pay Paratransit to take me there and bring me home. I have enough for the paratransit rides and--the possible--co-pay on Wednesday. The only thing I have to worry about is getting enough for the paratransit on Friday to my regular doctor, which normally doens't cost me a co-pay. I don't have to worry about prescriptions because I get them through my insurance company's mail order pharmacy, which doesn't cost me anything out-of-packet. This afternoon, I'm in a half-way decent positive mood. The reason is that I've place the financial situation in God's hands. I also spent the morning doing surveys in one of my survey groups, and qualified for several surveys. Qualifying for surveys helps my positive mood. In addition, I was able to access my Cox inbox, and I wasn't able to do that yesterday. I Cox people couldn't help me; apparently all I need to do was reboot the computer. My Golden Years are a mixture of gold and lead. I'll have to take a break from writing and online work to meditate on a solution to my financial problems. I know there is one. I can find it if I don't get depressed.
DAY 1924: What do you think about collecting and collections--whether it is your collection or one belonging to someone else? Can it belong to a character in a fiction piece or a poem you’re writing, and could it be an object you would like to collect? Collections I used to be a collector. I used to be a clutterer. I'm working on changing both. I've got rid of the collection clutter. I'm planning on getting rid of a lot more. In fact, I'm planning on doing a "Swedish 'Death Purge'". I have to do a little more research before I start the declutter process in earnest. I also have to figure out what to do with a few items that belong to my brother, which I've lugged through too many moves. I can't afford to send them through the mail, so I need to figure out who will be in the area in the next few months so that person can take to items and do whatever he want with them. |
Jamál (Beauty), 4 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, March 24, 2019
PROMPT March 24th - What is your first memory? Earliest Memory Darkness, tree shadows cast by the moonlight, riding in Grandpa's car, going to my cousin's farm, playing hide-and-seek, hiding in an old Frigidaire, and Grandpa finding me. Grandpa standing outside the refrigerator and pulling me out: my guardian angel. |
Jalál (Glory), 3 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, March 23, 2019
PROMPT March 23rd - Where does your creative inspiration come from? Do you have a muse? Write your entry today in the form of an acrostic poem. My Muse Myriad ports of call scattered across Year and parsecs: wherever my imagination wanders. Multitudinous10 sources and sacred scriptures; Ubiquitous11 in its universality; Science and religion united by the Pen of Glory12; Equality of humanity and gender, the common foundation of all religions.13
Day 2316: Creation Saturday Prompt: The flower of March are daffodils and jonquils. Write a story or a poem that includes these flowers. Daffodils and Jonquils In the Garden of Paradise daffodils and jonquils bloom, surrounding the Tree of Life.
DAY 1922: A twinkling eye can mean many things. Write a poem about a twinkle in someone’s eye. Twinkling Eye Twinkle, twinkle little eye, Can you tell me what you spy, As you stare into the night: Are you counting the starlight? Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Friday, March 22, 2019
PROMPT: March 22nd - Yesterday in my state, a tropical plant called a corpse flower bloomed and attracted hundreds of visitors and countless more via live stream. This particular plant blooms for 24 hours once every 7-10 years and, as is clear by its name, possesses a very unique smell. Is there a rare plant, animal, place, or event you’d like to see before you die? What’s stopping you?
DAY 2315: Use these random words in your entry today: coast, ego, brink, brown, finger, high, inside, representative. Ego-- the Evil Whisperer-- murmurers doubt to my mind, pushing me to the brink of hopelessness. The brown study of depression rises out of the darkness of fear, as I walk along the coast of apprehension. My fingers move across the keyboard, attempting to express the reason for this sadness. The change comes suddenly-- miraculously-- I look out at the clouds floating high in the beautiful blue sky, and smile. I intone a prayer, and the representative of darkness is silenced no longer whispering inside my mind.
DAY 1921: 1921 was an interesting year in the United States. Discuss one of the topics in the link fro factual Friday. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1921_in_the_United_States The most interesting thing that occurred in the United States in 1921 was the birth of my mother. Mom was born on a farm in Oklahoma on March 19, 1921. At the time the only person in the closest town, who had a car, was the doctor, who Grandpa called when Grandma went into labor. The doctor drove to the farm, where he delivered my mother. Mom was a premature baby, and was very small. The doctor told Grandpa that Mom probably wouldn't live very long. Grandpa was determined that she would, so he did everything he could to make sure she lived. Grandpa's prayers were answered, and Mom lived. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, March 21, 2019 Naw-Ruz
PROMPT March 21st - Make a list of the top five things that distract you. How do you deal with them? Cleaning out my e-mail inbox. The best way to clean out an inbox is to start at either the beginning or the end and start deleting unwanted or unneeded items. Give yourself ten, twenty, or thirty minutes before stopping for the day. Worrying Obsessing over things I can't do anything about at the moment. I've did this all my life, and the only solution I've found is to immediately place the situation in God's hands. Sometimes I have to do this several times before I stop obsessing. Become so focused on one activity or project that I let everything else go until it's finished. The solution is to set a time limit, and remember to stop when the time is up. Negative self talk--something I've dealt with all my life--interrupting my thought process and telling me I can't do something, I don't know what I'm doing, or that what I'm about to do is a bad idea. I handle this by saying a prayer and forging ahead with what I'm working on. Procrastination! Pick a time and do what I'm putting off.
Day 1920: "If everybody minded their own business, the world would go around a great deal faster then it does." Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland What are your views on this quote? The world wouldn't go around any faster if people minded their own business. The world doesn't go any slower because people don't mind their own business. There are situations when it's a good idea to mind your own business, and there are when it's not a good idea. Situation that involve injustice, abuse, and hate is the business of every conscientious human being. Each individual must find a way to stop the injustice, abuse, or acts of hate. Either by interfering themselves or by joining a group that can collectively deal with these situations. One group that is helping to deal with injustice is the Tahirih Justice Center . When we act collectively, we can help stop acts of injustice, no matter how many decades or centuries those acts of injustice have been going on or how deeply they are embedded in a culture. One example of this is in the video below.
DAY 2314: “People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do.” – Rob Siltanen I believe this is one of the best quotes to live by because it reminds me to think without limits and never doubt my wildest thoughts.. Do you agree? Disagree? If so what change do you believe you can do to make a difference in the world? People who think they can change the world aren't crazy, they are in touch with the spirit of the age. They know that even the smallest action of changing themselves or their opinion will change their part of their culture, which will eventually change the rest of society. Change is painful, but it is a necessary part of the maturity of the individual and humanity. We are living in a new day, a new age. The dogma, injustice, and superstitions of the past are passing away, giving way to a more just and balanced world wide society. In this day, those who think they can change the world are building a new world where justice descends like rain. |
‘Idál (Justice), 19 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, March 20, 2019
DAY 2313: What plans do you have for the spring, now that it's officially here. Gardening, traveling, getting in shape, or even writing more now that we have more natural sunlight. Happy Ostara aka the Vernal Equinox aka 1st day of Spring. It is the last day of ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E., which occurs between sunset on March 19 and sunset on March 20. Naw-Ruz, the first day of Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E., occurs between sunset on March 20 and sunset on March 21. This is the day the sun crosses the celestial equator, and when spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a joyful day for the Baha'is and many others who celebrate the first day of spring as a New Year. For the Baha'is across the world, Naw-Ruz is symbolizes a the advent of Baha'u'llah, a new revelation from God. "The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures." Baha’u’llah14 The appearance of the Bab and Baha'u'llah ushered in God's promised day. The tumult humanity is going through right now can be likened to the floods caused by snow melt when spring comes to the mountains. Right now we, the human race, is moving into maturity which is just as tumultuous as spring floods. Eventually this tumult will end and world peace will come because humanity will eventually accept the oneness of the species, the oneness of God, and the oneness of the foundation of all religions. Footnotes |