Writing in Snow

Thankful Thursday: Gratitude List

Istijlál (Majesty), 7 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 174 B.E. - Thursday, March 8, 2018
The Seventh Day of Fast

"My God, my Adored One, my King, my Desire! What tongue can voice my thanks to Thee? I was heedless, Thou didst awaken me. I had turned back from Thee, Thou didst graciously aid me to turn towards Thee. I was as one dead, Thou didst quicken me with the water of life. I was withered, Thou didst revive me with the heavenly stream of Thine utterance which hath flowed forth from the Pen of the All-Merciful."

Baha'u'llah1

Gratitude List:
Ten Things I am Thankful For

Today I am grateful for the prayer Baha'u'llah revealed for the nineteen-day Fast. Even though, because of age and medication, I no longer fast I can still say the prayers and meditate.

Today I am thankful that I have 2,565,109 GPs in my Gift Points account. I need only 1,549,391 GPs to purchase another Premium Plus membership, which is due by May 15, 2018.

Today I am grateful for the sleep I got last night, because I woke up rested this morning. For once, I was able to sleep through the night without any disruptions.

Today I am thankful that I have a working internet connect, because I can access the website BahaiTeachings.org2. This website contains thought provoking articles about the different aspects of the Baha'i Faith and sacred writings.

Today I am grateful for having De as a housemate because she keeps me company, and does the housework that I have difficulty doing.

Today I am thankful that my Bank of America checking account is not overdrawn. This is something I have not put on my gratitude list in a while, and it is something I am always grateful for even thought I do not always put it on the list.

Today I am grateful for my brothers and sister. I know they love me, and that they pray for me.

Today I am thankful that I have 777 Community Recognitions.

Today I am grateful for fresh brewed coffee. This is something I normally put on every gratitude list I make. That's because regular coffee is my second favorite liquid refreshment. My number one favorite liquid refreshment is cafe mocha.

Today I am thankful that we were able to get Girl Scout cookies this year.

Themes for Poems Written During the 19-Day Fast

Baha'i month or days of week names for the theme used in Poems: Splendor "First Day of the 19-Day Fast" , Glory "Second Day of Fast" , Will "Third Day of Fast" , Beauty "Motavational Monday: The Fourth Day of Fast" , Knowledge "Fifth Day of Fast" , Justice "Midweek Reflections on Justice" , and grandeur "Thankful Thursday: Gratitude List" .
Virtues Used: compassion "Silent Compassion"  and unity "Spheres of Influence" .
Baha'i month names for the themes to use in Poems: Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection, Names, Might, Power, Speech, Questions, Honor, Sovereignty, Dominion, and Loftiness.
Week Day names for the themes to use in poems: Beauty, Perfection, Grace, Majesty, Independence, and Glory.
Virtues to Use: assertiveness, caring, cleanliness, commitment, assertiveness, caring, cleanliness, commitment, confidence, consideration, cooperation, courage, courtesy, creativity, detachment, determination, diligence, enthusiasm, excellence, flexibility, forgiveness, friendliness, generosity, gentleness, helpfulness, honesty, honor, humility, idealism, integrity, joyfulness, justice, kindness, love, loyalty, moderation, modesty, orderliness, patience, peacefulness, perseverance, purposefulness, reliability, respect, responsibility, self-discipline, service, tact, thankfulness, tolerance, trust, trustworthiness, truthfulness, understanding, and unity.confidence, consideration, cooperation, courage, courtesy, creativity, detachment, determination, diligence, enthusiasm, excellence, flexibility, forgiveness, friendliness, generosity, gentleness, helpfulness, honesty, honor, humility, idealism, integrity, joyfulness, justice, kindness, love, loyalty, moderation, modesty, orderliness, patience, peacefulness, perseverance, purposefulness, reliability, respect, responsibility, self-discipline, service, tact, thankfulness, tolerance, trust, trustworthiness, truthfulness, and understanding.

Poem Written on the Seventh Day of Fast

The grandeur of art
is in its ability to connect
heart to heart
and soul to soul.

The glory of a poet
is in metaphors
and similes expressing
reality.

The greatness of a painter
is in the way
colors and thought
combine
to reveal beauty.

The majesty of a sculptor
is in the curves
and lines
of the statue.

The dominion of art
merges mater and spirit
to create
the vision
of the artist.

Footnotes
1  Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, CLXXIII
2  http://bahaiteachings.org/