According to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh the family, being a human unit, must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered, and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother—none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father, likewise, has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one, the honor of all.
(“The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912”, p. 168) [61]
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Mind: Thought Cloud
Below is a random thought cloud from today's perspective:
Powerless?
"When powerless, regnerate and source energy from an alternate source.
If powerless, productivity is not possible" -- Dominique Mazloom (pun fully intended when feeling powerless to resolve issues resulting from literal power outages)
Workaholic?
Nope, because the drive for efficiency would actually prefer to not work all the time. Aiming to succeed and taking any means necessary? Perhaps, because consider that one may be a "Dedicated, Determined, and Efficient" in his/her somewhat-obligatory pursuits of servitude.
Tensity?
The body's reaction to the mind's exhausted efforts often causees tensity in certain areas of the body and may even cause pain at times.
Pessimistic?
Not at all. Optimist? Not quite. Realistic? Spot on!
Powerless?
"When powerless, regnerate and source energy from an alternate source.
If powerless, productivity is not possible" -- Dominique Mazloom (pun fully intended when feeling powerless to resolve issues resulting from literal power outages)
Workaholic?
Nope, because the drive for efficiency would actually prefer to not work all the time. Aiming to succeed and taking any means necessary? Perhaps, because consider that one may be a "Dedicated, Determined, and Efficient" in his/her somewhat-obligatory pursuits of servitude.
Tensity?
The body's reaction to the mind's exhausted efforts often causees tensity in certain areas of the body and may even cause pain at times.
Pessimistic?
Not at all. Optimist? Not quite. Realistic? Spot on!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Body: Shoulders Down and Back
Release the pressure from your shoulders
And lift
Shoulders down and back
And reach
Whether lifting or practicing yoga, I find it very important to release the tension from your shoulders and set up good form by rolling you shoulders back and down -- this simple exercise centers your gravity and aligns your spine, hips, back, shoulders ready for lifting or stretching.
Whether preparing to clean and press, shoulder press, dead lift, or find crescent lunge or Tāḍāsana... please remember to find set position by ensuring your shoulders are rolled down and back.
Now that you're ready, work it! :p
And lift
Shoulders down and back
And reach
Whether lifting or practicing yoga, I find it very important to release the tension from your shoulders and set up good form by rolling you shoulders back and down -- this simple exercise centers your gravity and aligns your spine, hips, back, shoulders ready for lifting or stretching.
Whether preparing to clean and press, shoulder press, dead lift, or find crescent lunge or Tāḍāsana... please remember to find set position by ensuring your shoulders are rolled down and back.
Now that you're ready, work it! :p
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Soul: Who is 'Abdu'l-Bahá?
To read an official/well-written answer, please visit: http://info.bahai.org/abdulbaha-center-of-covenant.html
OR...
For your amusement and consideration of a four-year-old's perspective, I have provided Jamilah's current understanding below
During our weekly prayer gathering yesterday evening, Jamilah identified a photo of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in one of the books, and pointed to it and said "God." Not quite Jamilah, since we were in the middle of a prayer, I just simply shook my head.
After prayers, I decided to teach Jamilah a song about 'Abdu'l-Bahá -- I taught her "Look at me, Follow me" and explained that 'Abdu'l-Bahá is someone we should look to and follow -- he is a good example of how we should behave.
When Jamilah was asked this week on numerous occasions what does 'Abdu'l-Bahá want us to do, her responses included:
Do nice things
Listen to our Moms and Dads and the teachers
Say prayers and be nice to the trees
Be nice to the plants
Don't hit, and don't scratch, and don't kick, and don't pinch, and don't punch their nose
Play at the park
Don't throw sand
I personally think she comprehends his being and purpose quite well for only four years of being acquainted with his words, stories, photos, and spirit.
OR...
For your amusement and consideration of a four-year-old's perspective, I have provided Jamilah's current understanding below
During our weekly prayer gathering yesterday evening, Jamilah identified a photo of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in one of the books, and pointed to it and said "God." Not quite Jamilah, since we were in the middle of a prayer, I just simply shook my head.
After prayers, I decided to teach Jamilah a song about 'Abdu'l-Bahá -- I taught her "Look at me, Follow me" and explained that 'Abdu'l-Bahá is someone we should look to and follow -- he is a good example of how we should behave.
When Jamilah was asked this week on numerous occasions what does 'Abdu'l-Bahá want us to do, her responses included:
Do nice things
Listen to our Moms and Dads and the teachers
Say prayers and be nice to the trees
Be nice to the plants
Don't hit, and don't scratch, and don't kick, and don't pinch, and don't punch their nose
Play at the park
Don't throw sand
I personally think she comprehends his being and purpose quite well for only four years of being acquainted with his words, stories, photos, and spirit.
Mind: Spanish Immersion
Since several of her preschool friends will be going to Kindergarten in the Fall, Jamilah has recently been talking a lot about 5 yr olds going to Kindergarten and how she will go to Kindergarten when she turns 5. We have also been talking about how we will go see a few schools and decide which one she will attend before she goes to Kindergarten.
On the way home from school today, we were driving by the Spanish Immersion School in our neighborhood. Jamilah asked what the school was and I told her it was the Spanish Immersion School. Impressing me with her ridiculous memory yet again, she asked if that was Violette's school -- yes, indeed it is. She asked if she could go to that school when she turns 5 and I explained to her that at that school the children speak in Spanish.
She so gracefully replied, "I speak Spanish" and began singing the following song:
She proudly concluded by explaining that her teacher knows Spanish and taught her that song.
Can someone please verify for me that my child does indeed already know how to sing this song in Spanish?
On the way home from school today, we were driving by the Spanish Immersion School in our neighborhood. Jamilah asked what the school was and I told her it was the Spanish Immersion School. Impressing me with her ridiculous memory yet again, she asked if that was Violette's school -- yes, indeed it is. She asked if she could go to that school when she turns 5 and I explained to her that at that school the children speak in Spanish.
She so gracefully replied, "I speak Spanish" and began singing the following song:
She proudly concluded by explaining that her teacher knows Spanish and taught her that song.
Can someone please verify for me that my child does indeed already know how to sing this song in Spanish?
Monday, June 13, 2011
Body: When Lethargic Run
Was practically falling asleep, eyes were closing, body was lethargic, mind was blank -- I could have easily curled up and taken the opportunity to take a nap.
Instead, I strapped up the laces, plugged in the ear buds, lunged left then right, and took off -- took off running.
Step by step, stride by stride.
Heart beat steadily rising
Eyes opened and became aware
Mind became busy and alert
My body, it ran.
My mind, it ran.
My energy, it soared!
Grounded by gravity, my head held high by the spirit, I was encouraged to run the distance.
Instead, I strapped up the laces, plugged in the ear buds, lunged left then right, and took off -- took off running.
Step by step, stride by stride.
Heart beat steadily rising
Eyes opened and became aware
Mind became busy and alert
My body, it ran.
My mind, it ran.
My energy, it soared!
Grounded by gravity, my head held high by the spirit, I was encouraged to run the distance.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Soul: Education, Equality, and Justice
Some quotes on Education, Equality, and Divine Justice for pondering and reflecting upon:
I pray that such words of wisdom continue to spread like wild fire and that the souls of mankind will feel the warmth as the Glory of God shines and continues to light up the world.
"...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain illiterate..."21
"Know ye that in God's sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined."6
"Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart. Human virtues belong equally to all!"9
I pray that such words of wisdom continue to spread like wild fire and that the souls of mankind will feel the warmth as the Glory of God shines and continues to light up the world.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Mind: A Mother's Thoughts
Work.As.Worship
"Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship" -- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy
Reflect.Blog.Read.Repeat
"Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship" -- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy
Reflect.Blog.Read.Repeat
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