Writing in Snow

Thankful Thursday: January 18, 2018

‘Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 174 B.E. - Thursday, January 18, 2018

"Man possesses two kinds of susceptibilities: the natural emotions, which are like dust upon the mirror, and spiritual susceptibilities, which are merciful and heavenly characteristics."

Bahá’í Writings

On the Third Thankful Thursday in January 2018

On the third Thankful Thursday of January 2018 I am grateful for The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, which was gifted to me several years ago. This beautiful translation of Baha'u'llah's tablets has became part of my spiritual diet this year. This isn't the first time I have began reading this book, but the other times I didn't finish it for numerous reasons. The reasons I stopped reading it don't make sense, so I think I was taking the wrong approach. This time, I'm reading the book in the evening as part of my evening prayer and meditation session.

On the third Thankful Thursday in 2018
I give thanks for the spiritual susceptibilities
intrinsic to the souls of every human being including myself.

On the third Thankful Thursday of January 2018 I am grateful for the poetic inspiration I have received from reading The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, because of that inspiration I was able to finish my first Mathnawi1 poem and begin another. The poem I finished is "Reading the Sacred Scriptures"  and the poem I begin is tentatively titled "Baha'u'llah's Pen" and is located in "My Life Is A Poem" .

On the third Thankful Thursday in 2018
I give thanks for for the dream that inspired
me to finish "Voices of the Oppressed and Dispossessed" .

On the third Thankful Thursday of January 2018 I am grateful that I was able to get my hair cut and washed before Sunday, January 21. It's sometimes difficulty to wash my hair myself, and, this time of year, it's a little cold. I've always washed my hair less in winter and the late fall because of the temperatures. The truth is, I'd rather go to a beauty parlor to have my hair washed, which I would do every week if I could afford it.

On the third Thankful Thursday in 2018
I give thanks for the Meditation Journal I use
to write the poems inspired by The Summons of the Lord of Hosts.

On the third Thankful Thursday of January 2018 I am grateful that I have some assistance from my family, from the friend that lives with me, and from social services. I know that there are many people in this country that don't have help when they get to be my age, and, as a results, they are homeless. Which results in a number of the senior homeless population to die in the summer heat or winter's freezing temperatures.

On the third Thankful Thursday in 2018
I give thanks for internet access, which allows me to read online
articles and access news outlets for world, local, national, and international news.

On the third Thankful Thursday of January 2018 I am grateful for coffee and chocolate. These are two of the material pleasure I enjoy. There are others, but these two are the most important because they bring back fond memories of my childhood, my parents, and grandparents.

On the third Thankful Thursday in 2018
I give thanks for Baha'u'llah and the Bab
because the sacred scriptures they revealed bring comfort,
while revealing the positive future of humanity.

Footnotes
1  http://www.thepoetsgarret.com/2011Challenge/form9.html