I Blog Poetry and Prose

(13+)
WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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).

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Significant People in My Life

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Blog City - Every Blogger's Paradise.
#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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March 27, 2019 at 10:59am

#955119

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, March 27, 2019

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Social Media, Clothes, and NaPoWriMo

(13+)
WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

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March 26, 2019 at 12:22pm

#955054

Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, March 26, 2019

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WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

GROUP

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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Motivational Monday: My Motivations

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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"

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March 25, 2019 at 12:26am

#954921

Kamál (Perfection), 5 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Monday, March 25, 2019

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

GROUP

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

GROUP

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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March 24, 2019 at 12:09pm

#954873

Earliest memory

Jamál (Beauty), 4 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Sunday, March 24, 2019

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Creation Saturday: Three Poems

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WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

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March 23, 2019 at 11:21am

#954813

Jalál (Glory), 3 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Saturday, March 23, 2019

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

Multitudinous 3 sources and sacred scriptures;
Ubiquitous 4 in its universality;
Science and religion united by the Pen of Glory 5;
Equality of humanity and gender, the common foundation of all religions.6

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Friday Responses to Three Blog Prompts

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise (E)
Blog City - Every Blogger's Paradise.
#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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
3 https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/multitudinous
4 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/ubiquitous
5 One of the titles of Baha'u'llah.
6 Reference to the Three Onenesses.

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March 22, 2019 at 11:22am

#954744

Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Friday, March 22, 2019

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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?

GROUP

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

GROUP

Responses to three different blog prompts

(E)
Blog City - Every Blogger's Paradise.
#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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March 21, 2019 at 11:57am

#954687

Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Bahá (Splendor) 176 B.E. - Thursday, March 21, 2019
Naw-Ruz

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

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.

GROUP

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

GROUP

Celebrating Naw-Ruz and a New Year

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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.

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March 20, 2019 at 12:54pm

#954647

‘Idál (Justice), 19 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, March 20, 2019

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

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’llah 7

This is a New Day 8,
this is the promised in all the sacred scriptures,
this is the Day of God.

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
7 Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 5.
8 Naw-Ruz means new day.

Midweek Reflections on a Visit to New York in 1992

March 20, 2019 at 12:00pm

#954642

‘Idál (Justice), 19 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, March 20, 2019

FORUM

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 20th - Another from the Challenge War Chest!
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? What were you doing there and how long did you stay?

Memories
misty tear stained memories
of my trip to New York.

In November of 1992, I spent four day in New York at the Second Baha'i World Congress. Between November 23-26, I was among the 30,000 Baha'is from across the Earth celebrating the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of Baha'u'llah's Covenant. Baha'is at the Second World Congress represented more than 180 different nations. The Baha'is that attended this World Congress came for numerous cultural, religious, indigenous, and national backgrounds. In many cases the only thing we had in common was our love of and belief in Baha'u'llah.

Celebrating unity
we came together in peace and harmony
to proclaim the oneness of humanity
and demonstrate the unifying effect
of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah.

Blog Prompts and Other Misdemeanors

March 19, 2019 at 11:51am

#954590

Fiḍál (Grace), 18 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, March 19, 2019

FORUM

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 19th - With bloggers coming and going all the time, and multiple blogging groups and challenges on this site, how do you feel about writing about the same prompt more than once? Can you take it in a new direction? Discover something new?

Blog Prompts and Other Misdemeanors

I don't mind writing about the same prompt a couple of times, if I can think of a new approach or have something more to say about the subject. Lately, I've found myself uninspired by some of the prompts. Sometimes I don't respond to the prompt, and sometimes I push myself to find a response. I've also asked myself if I can still write an entry without responding to a prompt. The solution to both issues is a timed free-write; when I do this type of exercise--without worrying thinking about my response--I usual find something I can use. If I can't find anything I can rewrite, I can make the free-write the response.

Another solutions, which just popped into my mind, is to begin with an odd, unusual, weird, or thought provoking title (this explains the title of this entry) and write from there. I came up with that title after I started this entry, so perhaps the solution is to write the entry's first paragraph or stanza and use the first title that pops into my brain. Once I start writing, I normally, don't have a problem finishing the entry. Sometime I have a problem remaining on the subject, which is why I think a timed or untimed free-write is a good idea. I seldom use untimed free-writes because nature or something else always interrupts, and my untimed free-write becomes a timed free-write.

GROUP

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 1918: “Fame would strike someone, usually the kind that healthy-minded people would not wish upon themselves, such as being kidnapped and kept prisoner for years, suffering humiliation in a scandal, or surviving something typically fatal.” ~ Viet Thanh Nguyen from Black-Eyed Women What are your thoughts on fame? Do you believe it is as bad as Viet Thanh Nguyen says?

Fame and Happiness

Fame and happiness
are the mutually exclusive?

Fame isn't something that should be pursued like a run away pet. I don't think it should or can be entirely avoided. It is something that can come and go in life. Some people are world famous, while others are famous in a particular nation, culture, religion, etc. I don't believe fame makes a person a prisoner, unless the person allows it to do that. I also don't thing humiliation and scandal always results from fame. I think the humiliation and scandal part are cause by the individuals themselves.

Fame is a piece of candy;
consume it in moderate amounts.

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Equilibrium and Hydrostatic Equilibrium (Astronomy)

(E)
A group for WDC bloggers.
#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

Day 3212: Write a good news entry. Find some good news in your areal of the world, on the internet, or in your life. Give us the highlights.

Good News

The good news is that spring, in the northern hemisphere is just a few days away. The good news is that, even in these times of disaster, hate, and death, you can always find good news if you do an internet search for "good news". There are more people in the world who follow Christ's injunctions to love your neighbors and pray for your enemies than those who break those injunctions. In order to find them you have to search for them and any other piece of good news there is. So, when the bad news focus of the media is causing you depression or getting you down search for the good news.

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March 18, 2019 at 8:44pm

#954551

Kamál (Perfection), 17 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Monday, March 18, 2019

GROUP

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

Day 2311: "The search for an equilibrium is essential for the artist, to be as aware of inner space as he is of outer space." Mark Tobey - Artist - Lest this quote inspire your blog entry today.

Equilibrium

Equilibrium
Awareness of both
The inner and the outer being.

Equilibrium
Awareness of body and soul;
Of the physical and the spiritual.

Hydrostatic Equilibrium 9

Balanced
between two opposing forces,
I exist

because
the intensity of my gravity
limits my expansion

and the heat of pressure
limits
my contractions.

Footnotes
9 https://en.mimi.hu/astronomy/hydrostatic_equilibrium.html

March 18, 2019 at 11:11am

#954527

Seasons and Holy Days

Kamál (Perfection), 17 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Monday, March 18, 2019

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 18th - In my part of the world, it’s finally starting to feel like spring. I can't wait to see the sun again! *Sun* What is your favorite season? How does the weather affect your mood? Does the weather affect your motivation to write?

Spring,
joyful spring,
it's time for birds
to mate and sing.

What is my favorite season? Do I have a favorite season? Each season has its own special attributes, beauty, and irritations. When I was a child, I liked winter in Oklahoma because of the snow and the sparkling stars at night. In my senior years I like spring and autumn in Nevada because they are neither too hot nor too cold. My joints heart less in the heat, but the electric bill is cheaper in the spring and fall.

In addition to the weather, there are the Holy Days. In spring, Naw-Ruz--in March--and Ridvan--April 20 to May 2--. In the fall there are the Twin Holy Days, the celebrations of the Birth of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. Since Naw-Ruz 2015, the Twin Birthdays or Holy Days are celebrated on the first and second day following the eight new moon after Naw-Ruz, which in 2019 are October 29 and 30.

March 17, 2019 at 12:16pm

#954471

Saint Patrick's Day

Jamál (Beauty), 16 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Sunday, March 17, 2019

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WDC's Longest Running Blog Competition - Hiatus
#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 17th

Happy St. Patty’s Day!!

Today, we’ll do something a little different. In your entry today, choose at least TWO of following prompts and let your creativity glow!

1. Share a story of a time you were especially lucky.
2. Have you ever had a “lucky break”?
3. Include ten green things in your entry (and color them with green font)
4. Finish the sentence: “I am lucky because...”
5. Write your entry inspired by the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Iz Kamakawiwo'ole.

I am lucky because I am alive!

I suspect this incident cay cover three of the items on the list: 1. Share a story of a time you were especially lucky. 2. Have you ever had a “lucky break”? and 4. Finish the sentence: “I am lucky because...” As the title suggests, I am lucky to be alive. When I was a child, I played a game of "Hide And Seek" at my cousins farm. There was an old Frigidaire setting on the back porch. I crawled in and let the door shut behind me (if the door were open my cousins could have found me). I went to sleep, and sometime later my Grandpa Frank took me out of the refrigerator. He never old Mom about it; she learned about it several decades latter when I told her about it. I wrote the following poem about this incident a few years ago.

"Hide And Seek"

"One thousand...
Two thousand...
Three thousand..."
Charlett's voice followed me,
as I crept
up the wooden steps
and slipped
onto the faded gray porch.

Its back against the side of the house,
the white Frigidaire beckoned,
its silver handle reflecting
the light
from a hundred watt bulb.

Opening the Frigidaire,
I crawled in
and let the door close.

Curled u p,
like a child in its mother's womb,
I waited
for Charlett to find me.

Counting
the seconds with each breath I took,
one thousand...
two thousand...
three thousand...
I surrendered
to the scent of sealed metal
and the sound of my own heart.

Light
flooded the darkness
waking me up.

Framed
by the Frigidaire's open mow,
my Grandfather stood
his arms reaching out to me.

Somewhere over the Rainbow

Somewhere over the

a green

flies
scattering emerald leprechaun magic
across fields of chartreuse clover and sage.

Somewhere over the

unicorns live
grazing in grass
or sleeping beneath pine and olive trees.

Somewhere over the

my muse wanders
looking for blue-green oceans
of inspiration,
hungry for wild spinach
and pea salad.

Rainbow, Saint Patrick Day Plans, and Giant Panda Day

March 16, 2019 at 12:13am

#954404

Jalál (Glory), 15 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Saturday, March 16, 2019

FORUM

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 16th - For Creation Saturday, write a story or poem about a rainbow and something valuable.

Rainbow

A rainbow spread across faith's firmament,
Proclaiming God's ancient covenant,
Uniting beneath it arc the children of the Book 10
And all the other religions sent by God.

GROUP

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 1915: Are you participating/ hosting/ or preparing something on March 17th aka St. Paddy's Day? If you are share your plans if not maybe discuss something you may not have known from the links.

http://www.gpb.org/education/origins-of-st-patricks-day http://www.gpb.org/educat...

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Patricks-Day

Saint Patrick's Day Plans:
To Celebrate Women's History Month at the Baha'i Center

I don't celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, my plans for March 17 are to attend the devotional services at the Baha'i Center on West Oakey Blvd. in Las Vegas. The theme for the March service is Two Wings of a Bird - The Equality of Women and Men. The only other thing I plan to do on Sunday is to make coffee and log into writing.com for a little bit.

"War and its ravages have blighted the world; the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending, for she will use her whole influence against war."

'Abdu'l-Baha 11

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 2309: March 16 is Giant Panda Bear Day .
Write a story, poem, or give us some information about the Giant Panda, which is an endangered species.

Giant Panda Day

Ailuropoda 12 melanoleuca--
"black and white cat-foot"13--
or Pinyin 14.

Beauty in black and white
send the poet's muse into flight
watching it in zoos or on documentaries.

Footnotes
10 In this line Children of the Book refers to anyone following the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Babi, or Bah'i faiths, because of the sacred books revealed by the divine prophets/manifestations who brought those religions.
11 The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Talk in Pittsburg, May 7, 1912, 44: Hotel Schenley.
12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ailuropoda
13 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_panda
14 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinyin

My Favorite Color, Loyalty Self and Sacrifice, Ides of March

March 15, 2019 at 11:21am

#954377

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Friday, March 15, 2019

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 15th - What is your favorite color? Seems like a pretty boring question, right? Well, they say a person's favorite color says a lot about their personality. See here and here . What are your thoughts? Does your favorite color represent you?

My Favorite Color

In the periwinkle dawn
a poet inhales
the orchid passion of morning,
ignoring
both her horoscope
and what lavender reveals
about her personality.

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 1914: Discuss one of the quotes about the Ides of March
https://www.ibtimes.com/ides-march-12-quotes-about-loyalty-celebrate-march-15-18...

Loyalty and Self-Sacrifice

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice."
Woodrow T. Wilson

I contemplate corporeity 15
and self-sacrifice.

The first person who comes to mind
is Mulla Husayn--
first person to accept The Bab 16--
who sacrificed his all
in the path of The Gate of God 17,
thus demonstrating
both loyalty and self-sacrifice.

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The Reality of Love and Beauty

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 2308: Discuss something from the link about what happened in history on March 15th that appealed to you.
https://www.onthisday.com/events/march/15

The Ides of March:
This Day in History

On this day in history
someone died
and someone was born
neither of this events
caused the world to come to an end.

On this day in history
Julius Caesar died
a violent death.

He was neither the first person
nor the last person
to be murdered
on March 15,
but he was the most famous person;
at least according to the history
I remember being taught
in school.

Footnotes
15 Meaning "the quality of having a physical body or existence" https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/corporeity/?utm_source=wotd-english....
16 Meaning The Gate.
17 Reference to The Bab.

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March 14, 2019 at 4:32pm

#954336

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Thursday, March 14, 2019

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 2307: The idea of love is sometimes more engaging than the reality of it.
Use this thought to inspire a story or poem in your entry today.

The Reality of Love

"Love is a many-splintered thing."
Simpsons Episode

It is the idea of love
that inspires poets
to pen odes
dedicated to an ideal.

The reality of love
is a red rose,
with inch long thorns,
that perfumes the mind
with the savor
of chocolate covered
Carolina Reaper 18 peppers.

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#1972895 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

Day 1913: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even felt with the heart." Helen Keller-Annie Sullivan Write anything you want about this quote.

This is an interesting and thought provoking quote, I'm not sure I understand it because beauty is something we can either see with our eyes or feel in our hearts, which is a symbol for both our emotions and our souls. Ms Keller was blind and deaf, so perhaps she is referring to a sense that was more developed in her situation. Maybe her senses of smell and touch were more developed that those of people who have both sight and hearing. If that was the case, her concept of beauty and emotion would probably be focused on those senses.

Footnotes
18 Their heat ranking is 1,641,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).

March 14, 2019 at 3:13pm

#954334

Money

Istijlál (Majesty), 13 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Thursday, March 14, 2019

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#1786069 by Fivesixer

PROMPT: March 14th - Are you good at saving money? What was the last thing you saved up for?

Am I good at saving money? No. I have a saving account, which is attached to my checking account. I have the keep the change thingy that transfers a certain amount of money when I use my debit card in a purchase. Once a month there is an automatic transfer from my checking to my savings account. I'm still not good at saving money.

What am I saving for? I am saving money so that I can transfer money from my savings account to my checking account when my checking account gets overdrawn. I believe a wrote a poem a few years ago about an overdrawn checking account.

"Complaint To My Overdrawn Bank Account"
With Apology to Chaucer

To you, my bank account, and no other
I complain, because you are overdrawn!
I am sad because you were a lover
Who has now betrayed me and let me down,
You were true to my every desire;
But you have ignited debts undying fire:
You must be full again or my plight is dire!

Today is the day for you to fill up,
So that I again have money to spend,
Don't set there like an empty coffee cup,
I want you to again become my friend.
You who were my love and my one desire,
You have gotten me stuck in debt's deep mire:
You must be full again or my plight is dire!

Now bank account, you were my life's one light,
And my salvation, keeping me without fears,
Please fill up and assist me with your might,
Since you're overdrawn I have been in tears.
Without you to fulfill my heart's desire;
I am poor and deep in debt's swampy mire:
You must be full again or my plight is dire!

O conqueror of my soul's seduction,
Please hear and answer my expectation;
My lover-king, I speak this prayer to you
That you my request will not refuse,
But rather answer my supplication!

Midweek Reflections: Self-knowledge

March 13, 2019 at 5:12pm

#954282

‘Idál (Justice), 12 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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#1901868 by Lyn's a Witchy Woman

DAY 2306: Luc Sante said, " It is fascinating and often fruitful to try on another skin, but it is ultimately meaningless if one hasn't acknowledged one's own.." What do you think? Do you agree with him?

I strongly suspect there are a lot of people out there who aren't comfortable in their own skins, but are afraid to admit it. I have determined this from personal experience, and a few years of being uncomfortable in my own skin. Part of my problem came from being a woman and buying into the idea that women were only good for one thing and had to look beautiful or like a supermodel all the time. I have managed to overcome--at least partially--both of those false beliefs.

"As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs."
Baha’i Scripture

Several years ago--sometime in the last century--I realized that my beliefs about myself were preventing me from achieving my highest potential. In the process, I had to admit that I did not know what my highest potential was because I was backing off from pushing the limits of the instructions I picked up as a child from the way other people acted and talked. I know my mother and grandparent encouraged me to achieve my highest potential to the best of their abilities. Part of my beliefs concerned dogma I had picked up from other people in my life--such as the children I associated with and their parents.

Sometimes, I suspect, the biggest thing holding people back from achieving their highest potential is the inability (if that is the right word) to question the expectations of society and the example-instructions from the people around them. I know that, for a while, I was reluctant to do that.

Grandma's Southern Fried Chicken

March 13, 2019 at 12:20pm

#954270

‘Idál (Justice), 12 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, March 13, 2019

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