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 |
Kamál (Perfection}, 19 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Monday, August 19, 2019
DAY 2068: What does the phrase “Closed Door” mean to you? If there is such a situation, what’s behind the door? Why is it closed? Closed Door Closed doors suggests secrets, hidden agendas, and a line from a song by Charlie Rich "no one knows what goes on behind closed doors"3. Secrets and hidden agendas make me uncomfortable, because they suggest that someone--usually government officials--are attempting to conceal knowledge from individuals. Knowledge is power, and whoever has the knowledge has the power. If the government or anyone is attempting to conceal knowledge from the citizens of a country, they are attempting to usurp the power that the citizens have. Knowledge gives people power over their own lives, without knowledge individuals are helpless pawns in the hands of the rich.
DAY 2465: Use these words in you blog entry: ocean, glacier, tide pools. Global Warming Glaciers melt beneath arctic heatwaves releasing fresh water into the ocean and raising sea levels worldwide. How does global warming impact the tides and tide pools? Footnotes |
Jamál (Beauty}, 18 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Sunday, August 18, 2019 "This is the Ocean out of which all seas have proceeded, and with which every one of them will ultimately be united. From Him all the Suns have been generated, and unto Him they will all return. Through His potency the Trees of Divine Revelation have yielded their fruits, every one of which hath been sent down in the form of a Prophet, bearing a Message to God’s creatures in each of the worlds whose number God, alone, in His all-encompassing knowledge, can reckon." The Universal Mind The Universal Mind connects all the Manifestations of Divinity, expresses the love of the Unknowable and All-Knowing Creator through the Mirrors of the Almighty's attributes: through Abraham, Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha’u’llah. Poet's Note: ▼ Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory}, 17 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Saturday, August 17, 2019
DAY 2463: Write about the stars. "Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute." Baha'u'llah6 Stars. Planets, and Humanity's Maturity Humanity isn't alone in the universe, Baha'u'llah doesn't specifically say what type of creature live on the planets of other stars, or even the planets of our star system. That is left up to science to discover. Baha'u'llah, like the other divine manifestations or prophets, revealed only what humanity is ready at this point in its spiritual and material evolution to understand. Humanity is growing up, maturing, entering its adulthood. At this time the human species is capable of comprehending many things we couldn't understand when earlier prophets--such as Moses, Abraham, Christ, Muhammad, and others--were sent by God. That changed with the appearance of the Bab and Baha'u'llsh, ushered in the maturity of the human race. We are now ready to take on the responsibility of adulthood. Footnotes |
Istiqlál (Independence}, 16 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Friday, August 16, 2019
DAY 2462: Finish this sentence: Life is too short to… Life Is To Short Life is too short to Pray for guidance to overcome the negatives, to ask the right questions and find the answers for yourself. Become a seeker after truth, search out the facts and answer the questions raised by your search. |
Istijlál (Majesty}, 15 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Thursday, August 15, 2019
Day 2064: What have you learned from blogging? What Have I Learned From Blogging? To write! If I can't think of a response to a prompt, or my mind says I don't know what to write about, I just set down and start writing. It doesn't matter what I put on the page, as long as part of the response is relevant to the prompt. True, there are times when I look at a prompt and nothing comes to mind. In those cases I have to write anyway. If the prompt doesn't arouse some sort of response, I have to start writing because I have to make some sort of entry. If the prompt doesn't elicit some type of response, I pick out a quote and write about that. At other times I review my goals of the past week, I don't like to do this because it's usually a very short and boring entry. The only time I don't make an entry are on those days I have medical appointments. On those days I usually spend most of the day out of the house at the doctor's office or waiting for a paratransit bus. |
‘Idál (Justice}, 14 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Day 2063: "I think quotes are very dangerous things." Kate Bush Do you agree with this? Quotes are only dangerous if they are used inappropriately or one misquotes the author. I like quotes that are funny, thought provoking, and make me look at my own opinions. The biggest problems with quotes, especially those referring to political figures or celebrities, is misquoting, taking the quote out of the context of the discussion, or misunderstanding what the person intended to say. Everyone, and this includes celebrities and politicians, tends open their mouths before they put their brains in gear. This means that there is a good chance that the person will say something they didn't intend to say. It also means that the hearer will misinterpret what the person said or intended to say. |
Fiḍál (Grace}, 13 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, August 13, 2019
DAY 2459: Every human has four endowments - self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change. Stephen Covey - What do you think? Spiritual Attributes Self-awareness, conscience, independence, will, and creative imagination are all attributes of the human soul. I separated independence from will because they are separate attributes that, like all the spiritual attributes, interact with humanity's dual nature. The human body is part of material creation, while the soul is spiritual entity. The soul is God's gift to the human body and lives on after the body dies. The soul is intended to reflect the attribute of God and, after death of the body, to ascend through the spiritual toward the Unknowable Essence that created the universe. While partnered with the body, on the material plane, the soul develops the divine attributes it will need in the realm of the spirit.
DAY 2062: “The best stories don't come from "good vs. bad" but "good vs. good.” Leo Tolstoy Agree or disagree and what do you think Tolstoy meant? Good Versus Its Antagonist The best stories are plots using good versus its antagonist. The antagonist of good can be any cultural concept or personal opinion that no longer contributes to the survival of the individual or group. Good is a positive because it contributes to the physical and/or spiritual survival of the individual or humanity. The antagonist of good is a negative because it doesn't contribute to the individual or groups survival. A superstition can be the antagonist of good. An outdated cultural concept can be the antagonist of good. When writing a story it's up to the author to define the antagonist to good. |
Kamál (Perfection}, 12 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Monday, August 12, 2019
DAY 2458: Write about August - the good, the bad, the ugly, or the beautiful. Interesting August Triple digit temperatures Wind blowing trash down the street. There is something about August that makes a person want to sleep during the day and stay awake all night. It could be the triple digit temperatures that descend on the city in the after noon and go away about midnight. Nights are cooler in Las Vegas, but without a car there isn't many places I can go, which isn't a problem right now. I still have sever poems to finish before October 29, so staying up late writing or researching a poem is no problem. |
Jamál (Beauty }, 11 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Sunday, August 11, 2019 "There have issued, from His [Baha’u’llah] mighty Pen, various teachings for the prevention of war, and these have been scattered far and wide. The first is the independent investigation of truth; for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind. But once every soul inquireth into truth, society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past. His second principle is the oneness of mankind: that all men are the sheep of God, and God is their loving Shepherd, caring most tenderly for all without favouring one or another. ‘No difference canst thou see in the creation of the God of mercy’; [Qur’an 67:3] all are His servants, all implore His grace..." ‘Abdu’l-Baha7 Independent Investigation of Truth We must use our minds Ask questions and find answers Determine truth for ourselves Oneness of Humanity Humanity is a tree whose roots are deep in the soil of Africa and whose branches spread across the Earth, Footnotes |
Jalál (Glory}, 10 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Saturday, August 10, 2019 Saturday's been a productive day. I finished "In the Castle of Mah-Ku: To the Bab" and "Gift of Joy: To The Bab" in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" , and "Week 10: Ya Du - Global Warming" in "Snow's Writing for 2019, 2020, & Beyond" . I entered one contest and review one item. Friday wasn't as productive because I had to let an automatic update run on my computer and it took longer than what I expected. I did manage to start "In the Castle of Mah-Ku: To the Bab" in a loose leaf notebook, so it day wasn't entirely wasted. |
Istijlál (Majesty}, 8 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Thursday, August 8, 2019
Day 2057: "Technology is cool but you've got to use it as opposed to letting it use you." Prince Do you agree with Prince? Maturity and Technology Day by day humanity grows up, matures as a single species becoming united in all aspects of life. Day by day technology connects city to city, nation to nation, and individual to individual. The proper use of technology requires the maturity of nations, and of individuals. Day by day humanity grows up, accepts the responsibility of a mature species, and learns how to use technology. |
‘ Idál (Justice}, 7 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, August 7, 2019 I didn't sleep well last night. I'm not sure that a slept at all, but I must have dozed a little bit. because I don't feel tired today. I know that I tossed and turned all night, which was an accomplishment because it's difficult to toss and turn in a recliner. Some people might say it's impossible, but I know better because I managed to toss and turn. I suspect one of the problems was the heat. I turned the cool air off because of sinus problems when I leave it on. I'll leave it on longer tonight. If it's remains on when I go to sleep, well that's too bad. I'll just deal with the power bill. Another reason could be that I was worried about bills. I managed to overdraft the checking account this week, and it's only the first full week in August. Normally I wait until the third or fourth week to overdraft the account. I have three items, I know, is coming out of the account next week. That means there is still the possibility of overdrafting it again. I'm just too mentally weary to worry about it now. I know that if I could keep from paying over draft fees I could pay on a loan that I foolishly took out. I have to call a couple of people about the loan tomorrow. I'll call the Better Business Bureau to see what options I have dealing with the harassment. I'm fairly sure my blood pressure has gone up over this, but I could be wrong. I found my blood pressure monitor, so I'll take my blood pressure beginning tonight. |
Fiḍál (Grace}, 6 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, August 6, 2019
DAY 2452: What is your perfect summer evening or night? Summer Evening in Oklahoma Long shadow fingers point eastward, as fireflies attempt to complete with the setting sun. A fish jumps out of the water to catch an insect skimming the surface of the Chikaskia River. A cool breeze whispers through the elm trees carrying the aroma of all beef hot dogs roasting on the ends of straightened wire clothes hangers. |
Kamál (Perfection}, 5 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Monday, August 5, 2019 I have live in this apartment for nine months. In those months, my finances haven't gotten any better, and--I suspect--they have gotten worse. From December 2018 to March 2019 we dealt with mice, which we finally got rid of by filling up the holes they used to get under the house. Next we dealt with bedbugs, which (I hope) we have gotten rid of. We still have roaches and I haven't seen an exterminator in two months In those months, my checking account was not overdrawn for one or two months. It was overdrawn in July. I suspect it will be overdrawn this month, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it. I keep attempting to increase what little income I have, but it isn't working. I have a person loan I don't have the money to pay off or even on. I still have a student loan I have to deal with. I'm stressed. I want to move, but I can't afford to move. Beside my credit rating would be a problem if I did move. I do my bests, but it doesn't seem like its good enough. I'm tempted to call my sister to see if I can move in with her, but that isn't the answer. She lives in Searchlight, and there are no doctors there. All my doctors are in Las Vegas. The paratransit that I take to my doctor appointments don't run between Searchlight and Las Vegas, so transportation would be at least twice as much as I pay now. At least in Las Vegas I'm not isolated. I'm at my wits end. I'm stuck here for, at least, another four months. Probably another year because I can't afford to look for another place. Even if I could afford to look, I probably wouldn't qualify. I want to cry, but it wouldn't do any good. I have to call the student loan people tomorrow and see if I can get another year without paying. I will as if there is a way of getting the loan forgiven, but I suspect that is out of the question. I also have to deal with someone from Dollar Loan about the loan I stupidly took out (I had a feeling it was the wrong thing to do at the time). I'm at my wits end. I don't have enough to pay any of the bills that are due this month. I don't know what I'm going to do. At least the rent is paid and I don't have to worry about the power bill this month. I'm going to close this. I just don't see any way clear this month. |
Jamál (Beauty}, 4 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Saturday, August 4, 2019 It's Sunday, the beginning of a new Gregorian week. I follow the Badi calendar, which begins the week on Saturday and ends it on Friday. On Friday, I unplug the landline and turn my smartphone's ringer off, which prevents interruptions from people I've not intention of dealing with on Friday. The only way to contact me on Friday is through an e-mail, because I focus on writing.com activities. I don't do surveys on Friday either. On Friday, August 2, I completed "Meditation on Honor: To The Bab" , "Meditation on Sovereignty: To The Bab" , "Meditation on Dominion: To The Bab" , and " Meditation on Loftiness: To The Bab" in "Bicentenary Poems and Prose" . On Saturday, August 3, I finished "Glad-Tidings: To The Bab" and "Beatitudes: To The Bab" , which made 64 poems completed with 136 left to complete in 86 days. To complete the goal I have to write, at least, 2 poems a day, which means I can complete the 200 in 68 days. |
Jalál (Glory), 3 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Saturday, August 3, 2019 Divine power flows though the space-time continuum forward, backward endlessly moving, uniting pas and future with the eternally advancing present. |
Istiqlál (Independence), 2 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Friday, August 2, 2019 A friend asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá how far the individual could attain to that Christ consciousness in himself of which St. Paul speaks as our hope of Glory. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá turned with a look of great joy and said with an impressive gesture: “The bounty and power of God is limitless for each human soul. Consider what was the quickening power of the Christ when He was on earth. Look at His disciples! They were poor and uncultured men. Out of the rough fisherman He made the great Peter, and out of the poor village girl of Magdala He made one who is a power in all the world today. Many queens have reigned who are remembered by their dates in history, and nothing more is known of them. But Mary the Magdalene is greater than them all. It was she whose love strengthened the disciples when their faith was failing. What she did for the world cannot be measured. See what a divine power was enkindled in her by the power of God!” ‘Abdu’l-Baha 8 Consider Mary the Magdalene On the first Friday in August, I contemplate Mary the Magdalene a strong woman who recognized Christ as a Mirror of the Almighty. He strength of faith reflects the power of God to transform the lives of believers. Footnotes |
Istijlál (Majesty), 1 Kamál (Perfection) 176 B.E. - Thursday, August 1, 2019 Feast of Kamal "It is given to man to obtain knowledge, to attain to great spiritual perfection, to discover hidden truths and to manifest even the attributes of God; but still man cannot comprehend the Essence of God. Where the ever-widening circle of man's knowledge meets the spiritual world a Manifestation of God is sent to mirror forth His splendour." Bahá’í Writings Divine Mirrors I contemplate the mirrors of God, God sent human beings who reflect the divine attributes to humanity. Each come, when darkness overshadowed humankind, to reflect the light of the Holy Spirit and guide mankind to unity. |
‘Idál (Justice), 19 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Wednesday, July 31, 2019 "How great the multitude of truths which the garment of words can never contain! How vast the number of such verities as no expression can adequately describe, whose significance can never be unfolded, and to which not even the remotest allusions can be made! How manifold are the truths which must remain unuttered until the appointed time is come! … Of these truths some can be disclosed only to the extent of the capacity of the repositories of the light of Our knowledge, and the recipients of Our hidden grace." At sunset today, Kalimát--the month of Words--ends and Kamál--the month of Perfection--begins. Thank God for new months. Today, I'm on the verge of tears. I've been dealing with people all day over things I can't do anything about because I have no money in the bank. I'm tired of dealing with people. I'm going to take a mental health day on Friday, because on Thursday I have a doctor's appointment. To Do List for my Mental Health Day Turn off cellphone. Unplug house phone. Say prayers. Read scriptures. Review comedy and/or spiritual items on writing.com Write poems. Footnotes |
Fiḍál (Grace), 18 Kalimát (Words) 176 B.E. - Tuesday, July 30, 2019
PROMPT: July 30th - Congratulations! You made it to the final day of the competition! I’ll give you an easy prompt to end on How do you celebrate your successes? "The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Oprah Winfrey Praise and celebrate, raise your voices in praise and exaltation to the difficulties you have overcome to achieve success. I write, therefore I am. The only way I know how to celebrate is to continue writing and to glorify the Lord. |