Soul: Plight That Gave Woman Flight

And let it be known once more that until woman and man recognize and realize equality, social and political progress here or anywhere will not be possible. For the world of humanity consists of two parts or members: one is woman; the other is man. Until these two members are equal in strength, the oneness of humanity cannot be established, and the happiness and felicity of mankind will not be a reality. God willing, this is to be so.

-The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912”, 2nd. ed., pp. 74–77

Thank you for referring to me by that somewhat inspiring name
Thank you for reminding me we're living in a special time
One in which man and woman are considered the same
One in which stating that word should be considered a crime

Beautiful
Independent
Tender
Caring
Heroine

Each day, women live by each letter
Stand with dignity and talk
Pray women will be released from their fetter
Live with equality and walk

…The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work. Look at the vegetable and the animal worlds. The palm which carries the fruit is the tree most prized by the date grower. The Arab knows that for a long journey the mare has the longest wind. For her greater strength and fierceness, the lioness is more feared by the hunter than the lion.

The woman has greater moral courage than the man; she has also special gifts which enable her to govern in moments of danger and crisis….

-‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London: Addresses, and Notes of Conversations”, pp. 102–3

Mind: Powered by Perspective

Look up, forward, and ahead
Reach up and march with confident stead
To look down, within, or behind
Is like pressing stop and rewind

Driven to generate motion
Rather go places than just notion
In a certain direction, one may talk and point
Direct oneself, turn unto every limb and joint

With head held high
And mind reaching for the sky
Soul grounds in preparation
For significant elevation

Standard of excellence in the air
A genuine heart, dedication, and care
The appropriate perspective
Required, not an elective

It is perspective that leads and guides too
We’re off -- taken flight -- Where to?

Body: Importance of Pace

Background:
Treadmill workout usually consists of intervals with maximum of 1mi non-stop running with either high inclines and/or speed settings.

Goal:
Run a 5K without walking

Today's Workout:
Treadmill -- 5K in 28:50 plus 5+min cool down at high incline
(Pace was 6.5mph for at least first 2 miles -- in the last mile speed varied between 6.5 and 8mph for the last stretch)
Push Ups -- 3 Sets of 10 reps (2 Sets with Ball)
Fitness Yoga -- 50+min

Reflection:
I was able to run a 5K in 28:50min on the treadmill today, without holding on or walking. Posture and form is much better when pumping the arms while taking even and full strides. Running without intervals/walking is achievable if pace is steady -- towards the end it is easier to reenergize and increase speed -- with the finish line in sight.

Next challenge:
Run at least 2miles non-stop outside -- keeping steady and sustainable pace will be most important.

Soul: It is This, This is It

It is this love that binds us
Only illumines, never blinds us
This is the love that inspires the heart
It connects body, mind, and soul to their start

It is this faith that protects us
That most definitely affects us
This is the faith that we cling to
Oh, the places we'll go, this we'll bring too

It is this prayer that I profess at morn and at night
It launches the bird at dawn into flight
This is the prayer that made our spirits soar
It hit us within, right down to the core.

It is this knowledge that preceeded and will follow
God as my witness, this reed has become hollow
This is the knowledge that does ground us
Oh, the blessings and bounties, they came and found us

It is this unity that is so very real
The attraction, the oneness that we feel
This is the unity that He bestowed
It blesses the seeds He hast sowed

"The love which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted by the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the other the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity." -- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Mind: Perfection vs Excellence

Perfection
-- Expecting
-- Not attainable, therefore set-up for failure
-- Goals are inordinate and surreal
-- Focused on the results and outcome
-- Inflexible - difficulty adapting to changes / set-backs
-- Impatient, uncompromising, and anxious in character

Excellence
-- Striving
-- Attainable, therefore set-up for success
-- Goals are reasonable and realistic
-- Focused on the journey and path to accomplishment
-- Flexible - embracing change and alternatives
-- Patient, understanding, and confident in character

Body: Raise the Desk

Raise the Desk

Today, I stand
For the rights of those
Who wish their desk rose
I work with upright posture
Confident composure, I do foster.

Today, I stand
People look on with curiosity
Or was that a look of animosity?
Some dare to ask why
Most, just simply pass by.

Today, I stand
Alert and aware of my surrounds
Embracing the sun and the sounds
Being at peace both body and mind
Comfort I wasn't expecting to find

Today, I stand
Core and back braced
Upright and forward faced
Ready to take on that which the day may bring
On this beautifully sunny day mid-Spring

Soul: Powerful Prayer

Prayer is powerful alone and meditation enhances its affect. Please enjoy the following Baha'i quotes that emphasize this point. I hope you can join me in devotion -- as we give our worries to the Lord -- and walk forward with unrelenting faith.

"O thou who art turning thy face toward God! Close thine eyes to all things else, and open them to the realm of the All-Glorious. Ask whatsoever thou wishest of Him alone; seek whatsoever thou seekest from Him alone. With a look He granteth a hundred thousand hopes, with a glance He healeth a hundred thousand incurable ills, with a glimpse He layeth balm on every wound, with a nod he freeth the hearts from the shackles of grief…Then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission, and put thy trust in the All-Merciful Lord." -- 'Abdu’l-Baha, Baha'i Prayers

"Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation. The Spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view." --`Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 175

"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, Baha'i Prayers

Body: Mickey Motivates

Being relatively new to running, and having started with interval training and 5K training on a treadmill at first, I have been quite intimidated by the idea of running outside. At the same, as the snow started melting, the grass sprouting, the birds chirping, I was eager to begin running outside this spring. I embarked on the Spring running escapade on a pleasant evening in St Paul on April 4th 2011. Temperatures were in the 40s and a cooling wind chill in the 20s -- the sun was beginning to descend. With the most encouraging and supportive partner by my side, I took my first stride from Water St and Wabasha we were destined for Mickey's Diner. Mickey's was only .8miles away and that first leg was energizing, refreshing, and a little nerve racking -- am I really cut out for running outside. After galavanting through downtown St Paul, a few more round trips between the car and Mickey's Diner, a very fulfilling meal at Mickey's, and a total of 6 trips over the Wabasha Bridge, I'm ready for more! Bring on the spring running escapade!

Side note: for those respecting their bodies with healthy eating habits, I would not usually suggest Mickey's Diner -- however in this case the food piled with mountains of grease was the much needed motivation for my first outdoor run in 2011.

Mind: Well Wise

From the womb we rise
Born already wise
Wisdom, a gem within
Not smart advice once given

The cogs spin and turn
Let live and let learn
Wheels upstairs are ticking
Ideas begin kicking

Once described as smart
Perhaps that was part
Ly holding back the wise
Smart was a simple disguise

The flashy coat worn
Blast of a loud horn
But inside, queen fashion
Playing behind, musician

Two and two makes four
But what's at the core?
The notes can't make the tune hum
The beat gives it the rhythm.