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 |   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 ![Merit Badge in WDC Soundtrackers
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1649240 (Glory), 10 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 21, 2019
DAY 2591: What is your favorite part of winter? If you don't have a favorite part of winter, write about your favorite of either autumn, spring, or summer. Winter's Inspiration Winter brings back memories of my childhood spent in Oklahoma, when snow covered my Grandparent's front yard and the snowplow cleared the streets om Blackwell. Winter In Oklahoma Swiftly the snow falls Making a carpet of white for me to walk on. Winter inspires poems of snow clouds and icy winds. Snow Clouds and Winter Wind Subarctic winds blow pushing in snow clouds without snow. Frigid brazen wind Echoing the moans of The restless undead.
DAY 2084: John Geddes said, "Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin—inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night." What fills your soul at this time? Christmas Trees The scent of living fir trees brings back memories of my childhood: of going Christmas tree shopping with Grandpa Frank on Friday or Saturday of picking out the perfect tree to stand at the window of my Grandparent's living room, and of decorating the tree with the help of Grandma Mary. The older I get, the less I desire to have a real Christmas tree cut from its roots, and decorated with gold, silver, and red ornaments in my living room. In this age of global warming and climate change fir and pine trees should be left in their natural habitat of old growth forest or their unnatural habitat of Christmas tree farms, where they can take in carbon dioxide and transform it into oxygen. I would like to see a new Christmas tradition started of planting a living fir tree in the front yard instead of putting dying fir tree at the living room window. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 9 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 20 2019 Winter Poem I feel a chill in the air, winter is almost here. Winter solstice in Las Vegas occurs Saturday, December 21, at 8:19 pm Pacific time. The day will begin to grow longer, and the sun's rays will grow stronger warming the atmosphere and bringing to my cold limbs spring's cheer. "The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time -- a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken." Frederick Lenz The end of autumn is the beginning of winter, one season flows into the next like the Nile flows into the Atlantic. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 8 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 19 2019
DAY 2589: "Christmas always rustled. It rustled every time, mysteriously, with silver and gold paper, tissue paper and a rich abundance of shiny paper, decorating and hiding everything and giving a feeling reckless extravagance."~ Tove Jansson Discuss this quote in your blog. Christmas Memories Christmas memories are like "The Ornaments on a Christmas Tree" chantingremembrances of Christmases past to each individual. Silver and gold memories bring with them sadness and joy intoning Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas to the inner child unwrapping yesterday's Santa Claus presents or parental gifts. |
ʻIdál (Justice), 7 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, December 18 2019 December Darkness Short cloudy days and long dark nights, with only distant starlight twinkling through the atmosphere. On moon lit nights, the full cold moon cast shadows across the shivering fields of winter. Weariness embraces: Is it Seasonal Affective Disorder, lack of sleep, or full blown depression? No answer comes, so I take the bedclothes off the bed, and remake the bed in hopes that it just lack of sleep that remaking the bed will cure. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 6 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 17 2019
DAY 2080: In your opinion, what is the coolest technological device available in our day? Why? I believe the coolest technology device is any device that lets its owner access the internet. While there are numerous negative aspects to the internet, it's main advantage and positive attribute is its ability to communicate across national and international boundaries. Another positive attribute is its access to knowledge about various cultures and scientific discoveries. The internet can raise awareness of climate change and other international issues. It has the potential of bringing humans together and helping them communicate with one another.
DAy 2587: Prompt: What is the earliest fiction book you remember reading for yourself? Tell us about it. If you can find a link put that in your blog entry./c} The first fiction book I remember reading was The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I think I checked the book out of the library. When I finished it I read the other two books in the series The Black Stallion Returns and The Young Black Stallion; however, I can't remember if I read them one right after another or in what order. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Stallion The first science fiction book I remember reading was Children of the Atom by Wilmar H. Shiras. I suspect this was the book that got me hooked on science fiction and fantasy, because after I finished it I started reading H. P. Lovecraft, Isaac Asimov, and other science fiction and fantasy authors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_Atom |
Kamál (Perfection), 5 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 16 2019
DAY 2079: Pick a holiday you are celebrating this month: what is this holiday all about? If you are not celebrating any holiday, write about why a holiday celebration can be important? The Festival of Ridvan One of the holidays I celebrate is the Festival of Ridvan, which occurs between April 21 and March 2 every year. There are three Holy Days during Ridvan--the first, ninth, and twelfth day--on which work is suspended (whenever possible). Ridvan is the celebration of Baha'u'lllah's declaration, and it occurred right before his exile from Baghdad to Constantinople3. Baha'u'llah's declaration occurred on an island of the Tigress River, just outside of Baghdad. "Rejoice with exceeding gladness, O people of Bahá, as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His House, proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of His name, the All-Merciful..." Baha'u'llah4 Baha'u'llah, with a group of believers, entered the Garden of Ridvan5 on April 21, 1863. After He entered, the Tigress rose preventing anyone else from going into the Garden. On the ninth day, the flood subsided enough to allow Baha'u'llah's family and more believers into the Garden. On the twelfth day, Baha'u'llah left Ridvan, and--escorted by government troops--proceeded to Constantinople. Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty), 4 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 15 2019 There are nine days until my birthday an ten days until Christmas. One of the things I'm thankful for is that I won't be doing any Christmas or birthday shopping. If I don't have to go to a mall or shopping center, I don't have to. I can stay home and chose the holiday and Christmas songs I want to listen to. I don't have to listen to holiday music if I don't want to. Which is a choice people shopping and store employees don't have, because this time of year almost every store is playing holiday music of some type. What a joyous time of year, with holiday music invading your ear, and Christmas carols attacking your mind. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy listening to holiday music and Christmas carols. The problem with the canned music played in the stores, is that it begins before Halloween and doesn't end until after January 1. In that time, a person can overdose on the joyful carols and holiday songs. Some of the songs get stuck in ones head and play over and over and over. |
Jalál (Glory), 3 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 14 2019
DAY 2584: Is this the most wonderful time of the year? Why? Why not? The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Spring, the most wonderful time of the year, Flowers are blooming, trees are leafing, And there is joy across the Northern Hemisphere, With weather warming and spring showers falling.
DAY 2077: Let's write our own version of 12 Days of Christmas...but ... of course there's a but.You can only use words that begin with the same letter. like 12 lions lapping, 11 ladies lurched, 10 lizards laughing, 9 lollipops lurked, 8 loonies lured, 7 labradors lubricated, 6 lilies lounged, 5 ladybirds lied, 4 lagoons labeled, 3 lamps leapt, 2 lasagnas levered, and 1 lark loved; all the same letter... have fun! 12 Days of Christmas On the first day of Christmas Santa brought to me 1 clueless clown. On the second day of Christmas Santa brought to me 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the third day of Christmas Santa brought to me 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the fourth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the fourth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the fifth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the aixth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the seventh day of Christmas Santa brought to me 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the eighth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 8 campy6 comedians, 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the ninth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 9 carolers caroling, 8 campy comedians, 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the tenth day of Christmas Santa brought to me 10 crispy crickets, 9 carolers caroling, 8 campy comedians, 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the eleventh day of Christmas Santa brought to me 11 crusty croutons 10 crispy crickets, 9 carolers caroling, 8 campy comedians, 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. On the twelve day of Christmas Santa brought to me 12 crafty crows, 11 crusty croutons 10 crispy crickets, 9 carolers caroling, 8 campy comedians, 7 creepers creeping, 6 cats catawallowing, 5 computers computing, 4 copiers copying, 3 cloggers clogging, 2 campers camping, and 1 clueless clown. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Friday, December 13 2019 Beware of Friday the 13th Beware of Friday the 13th! Beware of Paraskevidekatriaphobia7, Friggatriskaidekaphobia8, or Triskaidekaphobia9. Don't worry about being afraid you can't pronounce those words, because that's a perfectly logical fear; unless you suffer from Sesquipedaliophobia10. Why is Friday the 13th considered the unluckiest day of the year? No one know for sure!11 Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Masáʼil (Questions) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 12 2019
DAY 2582: Did you realize today is the last full moon of this decade? 12-12 2+0=1+ 9 (12) Write something about a full moon. The Full Cold Moon The full cold moon-- the last full moon of the decade-- looks down upon the Earth, its silver beauty blessing the last month of 2019. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 10 2019
DAY 2580: December 10 is UN Human Rights Day. This year's theme is "Youth Standing Up For Human Rights". Write something about human rights in your entry today. United Nations Human Rights Day "Baha’u’llah taught that an equal standard of human rights must be recognized and adopted. In the estimation of God all men are equal; there is no distinction or preferment for any soul in the dominion of His justice and equity." On December 24, I will be 73 years old. This makes me two years older than the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Baha'u'llah declared His mission in April of 1863, and I was born in 1946 this makes Baha'u'llah mission and the Baha'i Faith about eighty-three years older than I am. What do the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Baha'i Faith have in common? Baha'u'llah declared the Oneness of Humanity. All human beings--despite their color, nationality, religion, or gender--are equal in the sight of God. All humans are entitled to the same human rights, which I believe are God given rights. We share the same planet, even if we come form different nations, whose boundaries are established by ourselves rather than God or natural boundaries, such as mountains, rivers, etc. Footnotes |
Kamál (Perfection), 17 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Monday, December 9 2019
DAY 2579: Have you written one or more items--short story, essay, article, poem, or class assignment--this year that you are especially proud of? Post the links (if possible) and tell us about the item. Alternatively, post part or all of the item as your blog entry and tell us why it is special.
This is the first Ayyam-i-Ha poem I've written this year. In past years I've written other poems on this subject, however, this is the one I'm most satisfied with and proudest of. I entered this poem in the "Share Your Faith" contest here on writing.com. While writing this poem, I had an epiphany. it was the fact that I think of Ayyam-i-Ha as the holiday season. |
Jamál (Beauty), 16 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 8 2019 The Second Sunday in December 2019 On the second Sunday in December 2019, there are four days until the Feast of Masáʼil (Questions), and one hundred and four days until Naw-Ruz 177 B.E. On the second Sunday in December 2019, there are seventeen days until my birthday, and twenty-three days until the Gregorian New Year. On the second Sunday in December 2019, I contemplate the goals I need to finish, and the goals I need to make. On the second Sunday in December 2019, I ask the important questions: What are my spiritual goals? What are my writing goals? What are my financial goals? What are my health goals? What 2019 goals do I need to finish? On the second Sunday in December 2019, I know that the answers to these questions will come over the next three week. |
Jalál (Glory), 15 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Saturday, December 7, 2019 Rain It's another beautiful cloudy autumn day in Las Vegas. I looked out the front door (never mind the fact that I don't have a backdoor) and noticed that the sidewalk appears damp. This suggest that it rained a bit during the night. Rain is necessary. Rain is needed. When it rains this time of year there is a good chance it will turn to snow in the upper elevations. Snow in the upper elevations means that it will be cold in the Las Vegas valley. It also means that I can go outside, look up at Mount Charleston, and see snow on the mountain. I can see snow, without the effort of driving to it. I can see snow without the inconvenience and danger of going outside and walking or playing in it. Snow on the Mountain Snow on Mount Charleston means that I can go outside, look up at The Mountain, and enjoy the memories that the sight of snow brings. |
Istijlál (Majesty), 13 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Thursday, December 5, 2019
Day 2575: Use this words in your blog entry: red, bloated, cherries, cobblestone, sugar cookies and pepto bismol. Random Thoughts on an Autumn Morning 1 Auturn's dawn tints the morning clouds pepto bismol, and slowly transforms them into a blazing red. 2 The clip-clop of spiked heels on cement echo like horses' hooves on cobblestone roads. 3 Yesterday's clouds bloated with tons of water caused flooding in sections of Las Vegas. 4 The choice between chocolate covered cherries and sugar cookies is difficult, because both bring back memories of my childhood. |
‘Idál (Justice), 12 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, December 4, 2019
DAY 2574: Does your family celebrate with Santa Clause? Why or why not?
December isn't the holiday season for me. I don't celebrate Christmas, and I don't do the Santa Clause thing. Sometimes my roommate puts up holiday decorations this time of year because she celebrates Christmas. She doesn't do the Santa Clause thing, even with her grandchildren. All gift she sends them come from Grandma and not Santa Clause. When I was a child gifts from Santa Clause was a big deal, because I didn't know they came from either my parents or my grandparents. I don't think it does any harm for children to believe that there is a Santa Clause, but that's just from my own point of view. My biggest issues from my childhood didn't come from believing in Santa Clause or visiting him at one of the local department stores. My biggest issues came from things that happened to me as I was growing up. |
Fiḍál (Grace), 11 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, December 3, 2019 "Be kind to all people, love humanity, consider all mankind as your relations and servants of the most high God." 'Abdu'l-Baha Prayer by prayer I feed my soul with the Word of God. Word by word my mind consumes the scriptures revealed by the Bab, Baha'u'llah, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. In the silence of meditation my mind and spirit digest the glorious writings. as I prepare to start my day. |
Kamál (Perfection), 10 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Monay, December 2, 2019 "Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty." Baha'u'llah On the first Monday in December 2019. I meditate on the beauty of Divine love. God, in all His wisdom, sent His messenger to humanity. In this day, Baha'u'llah has proclaimed the oneness of God, the oneness of the foundation of religion, and the oneness of humanity. |
Jamál (Beauty), 9 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Sunday, December 1, 2019 "All religions teach that we should love one another, that we should seek out our own shortcomings before we presume to condemn the faults of others, that we must con consider ourselves superior to our neighbors!" 'Abdlu'l-Baha The service at the Baha'i Center this morning was inspiring. The topic was love, so the scripture readings and the musical selections were about God's love for humanity, which all of the Divine Manifestation has emphasized. After the spiritual service, which lasted a little over half an hour, there was fellowship and refreshments. When I arrived at the Center, I had a chance to answer bus driver's questions. All-in-all it was a wonderful and spiritual morning. |
Jalál (Glory), 8 Qawl (Speech) 176 B.E. - Saturday, November 30, 2019
PROMPT: November 30th - Congratulations on making it to the last day of the competition! What was your favorite prompt from the last month? Did you learn anything new about your fellow competitors? What was the most rewarding aspect of participating in the competition? My favorite prompt was the November 24 prompt: What numbers hold special meaning for you? Consider dates, times, ages, years, or anything else you can count. "9, 18, 19. and 95" . In the past several years I've acquired a fondness of number. I wasn't crazy about numbers when I was in school, not even in college. However, once I left the academic environment, I begin liking number. I could be a mental exercise I've acquired. I add the number (in my head) of car tags together until I end up with a sing number between 1 and 9.I'm not sure when I acquired this habit, it could have been the results of something I read about keeping my mind active. It's now gone beyond car tags to addresses. When I'm riding the paratransit bus I add the number of the address on a building together to come up with a single number. |
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