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 |
Jalál (Glory), 10 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Saturday, October 6, 2018
The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 1755 What are your writing goals for this fall? Are you doing NaNoWriMo? Entering contests? Blogging? Fall Goals On the first Saturday in October 2018 I contemplate my autumn goals, review my "My Goals for October" , and check my calendar for upcoming Holy Days and appointments. There is one Nineteen-Day Feast in October. In November there are four Holy Days and two Nineteen-day Feast. I don't have any doctors' appointments yet, because I'm waiting for my kidney doctor to call for that appointment. I also need to call my regular doctor to make an appointment with her sometime around October 25. It's usually easy to get an appointment with my GP, I can make the appointment three days from the date I called. I have to have at least a three day after I call because I have to arrange for transportation. Beautiful Autumn is a time of celebration, commemoration, and proclamation. Opportunities to Write a Poem or Essay Feast of ‘Ilm (Knowledge) October 16 United Nations Day October 24 Feast of Qudrat (Power) November 4 Holy Day: Birth of the Bab November 9 Holy Day: Birth of Baha'u'llah November 10 Universal Children's Day November 20 Feast of Qawl (Speech) November 23 Holy Day: Day of the Covenant November 26 Holy Day: Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha November 28. "Themes For Poems and Blog entries" The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 2148 October 4-10 is Word Space Week. This year's theme is "Space Unites the World". Let World Space Week inspire your blog entry. Space Unites the World I intone a prayer for unity, and contemplate the beauty of humanity-- a single species upon the planet Earth. I meditate on the speed of light, on the miles between the planets, on the parsecs between the stars, and give thanks for the beauty of the cosmos. |
Istiqlál (Independence ), 9 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Friday, October 5, 2018
Prompt: Write about the person that has had the biggest impact on your life. Who has made the biggest impact on my life? At 71 years young, there are a lot of people who made a impact on my life. Some for the better and some for the worst; however, I'm not going to discuss those who have made a negative impact on my life. The reason for this is that, in a few weeks (December 24) there will be 72 candles on my birthday cake. I'm attempting to let go of the residual negative emotions that have built up from encounters with people.
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Istijlál Majesty), 8 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Thursday, October 4, 2018 Adventures With Electrical Equipment It's been an interesting week, and this is only Thursday. I had to get a new surge protector for my computer because the old one went out or was taken out by a power surge. I'm not sure which because I purchased the old one when I lived in the house on Bracken Avenue. I'm not sure when I purchased the old surge protector, but I'm sure it was before 2012. Anyway I purchased a new surge protector, which is much better than the old one. Today's adventure with electrical equipment concerns my smartphone charging. I couldn't get the phone to charge, and had to ask for help from my housemate. The phone appears to be charging now. However, I sent an e-mail to the people I got the phone from, with the house phone number. I expect them to get back to me sometime in the next seven days. I'll know if there is a problem with my phone tomorrow when I go to Henderson to pick up my new glasses. If there's a problem, the phone will, probably, go dead before I get back to the apartment. I'm taking the paratransit bus to Henderson. So it doesn't matter if the phone goes dead while I'm there because I've already arranged for a pick up time from Henderson. The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt Day 2146 Today's the anniversary of Janis Joplin's accidental death because of heroin.She was one of my favorite singers when I was younger. Are you familiar with her? If so what's your favorite song. Do you feel drug related deaths are on the increase or decrease? The "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" prompt for Day 1753 "Time unfolds beauty, wonder and mystery to reveal the auspicious tapestry of life." What are your thoughts on this? The Tapestry of Life The tapestry of our lives is woven with joy and sorrow, mystery and awe, and time and beauty. Each day the pattern becomes more distinct as we approach the moment it is hung upon the wall of eternity. |
Istijlál Majesty), 8 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Thursday, October 4, 2018
Prompt: Write about a lesson you’ve learned the hard way. All the important lessons are learned the hard way, because they are the ones that polish the gems of our souls. What lesson have I learned the hard way? To place every situation in Baha'u'llah's hands, and leave them there. I have always been a worriers, I used to worry about everything. Worrying never helped. It raised my blood pressure and attracted negative outcomes to many of my problems.When I became a Baha'i, I began placing my problems and worries in the hands of Baba'u'llah, the mediator between God and humanity. At first, I tended to take my worries back instead of leaving them in Baha'u'llah's hands and getting on with my life by focusing on solving the problems instead of worrying about it. It took me a while, and a lot of prayer to leave the difficult situation in Baha'u'llah's hands. However, I eventually learned that every situation worked out better when I was not worrying about the outcome. In the processes I discovered several prayers that helped me leave the my problems in Baha'u'llah's hands. The first prayer I memorized, that helped me leaving everything in Baha'u'llah's hands, was The Remover of Difficulties. "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!" The Báb The Remover of Difficulties helped immensely when it come to leaving everything in Baha'u'llah's hands. Once I place them in the hands of Baha'u'llah, I know they will also go into God's hands because of the relationship between God and Baha'u'llah. The next prayer I memorized was revealed by Baha'u'llah. "He who puts his trust in God, God will suffice him. "He who fears God, God will send him relief." Baha'u'llah I have, also, learned that the best way to say these prayers is to set down, in a comfortable chair, and focus on the prayer rather than my worries. It took me a while to learn this because I am somewhat stubborn. |
‘Idál (Justice), 7 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, October 3, 2018 "There is no reality, only perception." Phil McGraw The "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" prompt for Day 1752 "The true painter strives to paint what can only be seen through his world." Andre Malraux Do you think this applies to writers and words as well as painters? Write anything you want about this. Artist, both painters and writers interpret reality from individual perspectives. All of us see, what we term as, reality from the perspective of our own minds. This perspective is based on our experiences, our individual interpretations of facts, the ideas were were taught as a child, and the things we learned in school. As we mature, or when we learn to question the way we interpret events or our understanding of facts, our perceptions change. Painters and writers can assist individuals to mature and learn to question by revealing the world as they see it. For instance, my perception of the present condition of the world is different from someone else's. I see present events, as part of the maturing and evolutionary process humanity is going through. The wars, terrorist attacks, sexual harassment accusations, and other negative stories, as the unveiling of wrongs which must be dealt with before humanity and religions can come together in peace and unity. My perspective is based on the revelation of Baha'u'llah, and what I have discovered through meditation on the scriptures He has revealed. I realize that other people have different perceptions based on their religion, nationality, or political opinions. I will not argue with them. I will discuss my beliefs it they want to listen to me respectively. If they prefer to shout their opinions at me and tell me I am going to hell, they can find someone else to browbeat. The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 2145 Write a poem or story about your favorite autumn activity. Apple picking, pumpkin picking, carving, baking, going on foliage tours... you tell us. Halloween Memories Jack o' Lanterns laugh their grinning pumpkin faces guide Trick or Treaters. Happy Halloween memories reverberate Grandma backed cookies. Halloween party decorations and costumes bobbing for apples. Scary Halloween guessing games played in the dark witches and monsters. |
‘Idál (Justice), 7 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Prompt: Do you speak a second language? If so, what inspired you to learn it? If not, what language are you interested in learning? I speak American English, as fluently as anyone born in the United Sates of America can speak it. I have picked up a smidgen of other languages through listening to popular music and watching movie. I learned the only two words of German I know, "danke schön" and "nein", from a Wayne Newton song and watching World War II movies. I know a little Spanish, as spoken by Hispanic immigrant from Mexico, because I have lived in Las Vegas--where Spanish is often spoken--since sometime in the last century. The languages I would like to learn to speak and read are Parsi and Arabic because those are the languages Baha'u'llah and The Bab revealed the Sacred Scriptures of the Baha'i Faith in. There are numerous sacred scriptures translated into English and other languages, so the Baha'is across the world have access to the scriptures and prayers. The translations are approved by the Universal House of Justice, so I know they are authentic; still reading the scriptures in the language of revelation would be an awe inspiring experience. One of the things I always find thrilling is learning that the Sacred Scriptures and prayers have been translated into one of the indigenous languages across the world, because this means that another Baha'i community can read the sacred writings in their own language. Recently Dr. Tom Roa translated the some of the Baha'i scriptures and prayer into Maori. According to the article New Maori prayer book connects hearts with the divine , Dr. Roa also translated The Hidden Words into Maori. Other sacred books Dr. Roa has translated into his native language are the Bible and the Quran. Sacred literature translated into indigenous languages encourages the independent search for truth. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, October 2, 2018 The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 2144 What is the best thing about October? October I remember an October day in Oklahoma. Grandpa had racked the leaves into piles, ready to put in the steel drum he used to burn them, he watched us jump in the leaf piles. We scattered them, making more work for him, but he didn't care. He laughed and smiled as we jumped in the leaves, scattering them across the front yard. The best thing about October are the memories of Oklahoma it brings back, as a watch the clouds gather in the Nevada sky. A cloudy morning Promises an autumn shower and a cooler day. The "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" prompt for DAY 1751 “Sometimes it is good to fly close to the flame, see and experience the heat, but then fly away again, to survive, to be wiser in the art of heat.” ~ Robert Black What does “to fly close to the flame” remind you of? Moths Attracted To A Flame God's love is a flame lighting humanity's path to eternal life. Moth's attracted to the flame of the Almighty we seek to proclaim God's Cause. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Prompt: We all have ‘pet-peeves’. Write about some of yours! Pet-Peeves Pet-peeves and yellow cottonwood leaves are scattered tin autumn's chilly breeze. What are my pet-peeves? Most of my pet-peeves are personal, because they are caused my my own actions rather than the actions of others. One that I deal with on a daily basis is procrastination. Another is filing or placing important items where I think I can find them later, when I know I'll need them. The problem here is that I can never find them when I go back to get them. I go to the place, I thought I put them, and they aren't there. This causes me to have to look through numerous other stuff in order to find the one important items that I need. Of the two irritants, the last is the most annoying, because I've dealt with it most of my life. You would think I'd learned to do better by now. Apparently, I haven't. Right now, I'm looking for a receipt, which I thought I put in one of my files, but it isn't where I thought I put it. Now I have to go through everything to see if I can find it. I get frustrated, my blood pressure goes up, and I have to stop looking until I feel my blood pressure going down. Not only does my blood pressure go up, but my imagination starts working overtime. Sometimes I wonder if there is a ghost haunting me. A ghost that waits until after I file an important item to move that item. When I start looking again, it just floats or stands and laughs. I know this isn't true. I know that the problem is my memory of where I filed the item. I just didn't file it where I thought I did. Now all I have to do is find where I actually filed it. |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Monday, October 1, 2018
The "Blogging Circle of Friends " prompt for DAY 2143 October 1 is the International Day for the Elderly, which was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990. Use this international holiday to inspire your blog post. The Golden Years: To the International Day for the Elderly These should be the peaceful years, when memories of youth bring smiles to our faces, or tears to our eyes. These should be the joyful years, when our children and grandchildren gather around the hearth of our wisdom, and sip the warm knowledge of our experience. What do our golden years hold? We move toward the veil that will split in a second when our lungs inhale their final breath and our body exhales our soul into the world of God. The "Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise" prompt for DAY 1750 On October 1, 959, Edgar I, the Peaceful, became the king of all England. What do you think about the title of Peaceful, and in which ways are you peaceful? Peaceful Peaceful is meditating on a sentence or paragraph of the sacred writings revealed by The Bab, Baha'u'llah, of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Peaceful is writing a poem inspired by the holy writing, or in response to a blog prompt. Peaceful is chanting God's Most Great Name, or intoning a revealed prayer in the tranquility of my chamber. Peaceful is a state of mind that occurs when listening to a piece of sacred music. |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 Mashíyyat (Will) 175 B.E. - Monday, October 1, 2018
Prompt for October 1: What are your goals for October? What are my goals for October? Since I'm not participating in the October NaNoWriMo Prep Challenger, I need to focus on writing and accomplishing some items I've put off. I need to transcribe some older poems to "Poem Experiments" and "Devotional Poetry" , which will allow me to clean out my desk drawers and some boxes in the second bedroom. I also want to write and submit stories and poems to several of the contests on writing.com. I need to focus on accomplishing the weekly goals I set in "Weekly Goals for 2024" by checking the list everyday instead of once or twice a week. The goals in that document are reading and writing goals; however, on some of the reading goals I have not written concrete items. The scripture book I have to finish is The Sufferings of Baha'u'llah. It is not a thick book, however, I only read two or three paragraphs of an evening. Lately, instead of reading, I have composed poetry or drafted blog entries in my pen and paper journal. Therefore, I am going to pause my online work during the day, and read a couple of paragraphs either after lunch or after dinner. After I finish The Sufferings of Baha'u'llah, I want to start The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys by Baha'u'llah. The only other things, I know, I have planned this month is on Sunday, October 7. That day I will Unit Convention at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. Sometime around Friday, October 12, I have to pick up my glasses at the optical shop in Henderson. Sunday, October 21, is the monthly devotional service at the Baha'i Center in Las Vegas. Those are all the place, I know, I have to go this month. That does not mean I will not go anyplace else, because surprises come up or I could decide something on the spur of the moment. In my case, since I have to call the Paratransit bus, spur of the moment means a two day notice, unless I can get someone to take me. |