so I’m playing it cool
for real
I’m working on it.
you’d be surprised
how much I’ve changed
since yesterday.
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Archive for July, 2005
I’m still working on reading Child of the Covenant, which is definitely one of my favorite books now. There is a chapter on the subject of teaching the Faith which I really enjoyed, and wanted to share some of the Writings and paragraphs from it.
The Cause of Bahá’u'lláh is founded on the truth of God’s Revelation and truth cannot be clothed in false standards. It cannot employ the techniques of salesmanship, propaganda, expediency and compromise. The methods used in the commercial world to attract people to new ideas, such as extravagant and sensational publicity based on slogans, extreme statements and similar gimmicks, are all alien to the Cause of God.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, p. 249)
This paragraph really hit home for me. I study management and marketing. In the business world, the goal is to make your product stand out, have something different to offer (or seem to have something different). Whatever ploy the marketer can use is fair game. However, in the Baha’i Faith, we have no need of such things. The Faith stands out on its own.
Throughout His ministry Bahá’u'lláh exhorted His followers to teach the Cause of God with great wisdom. He did not approve of teaching the public indiscriminately.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, p. 250)
In his teaching work a Bahá’í presents the message of Bahá’u'lláh as one would offer a gift to a king. Since his primary object in teaching is not to increase numbers but rather to bring a soul to its God, a Bahá’í ought to approach his fellow men with feelings of love and humility and, above all, take to them the transforming power of Bahá’u'lláh and nothing of himself. Indeed, if he tries to project himself by impressing upon the listener his knowledge and accomplishments and if he aims to establish the ascendancy of his arguments while teaching the Faith, then the power of Bahá’u'lláh cannot reach him.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, p. 249)
***************
“God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he proclaimeth His Message, adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call. Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers.”
(Bahá’u'lláh, Gleanings, p. 335)
“Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Baha, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds. Such a deed is acceptable only when he that teacheth the Cause is already a firm believer in God, the Supreme Protector, the Gracious, the Almighty.”
(Bahá’u'lláh, Gleanings, p. 278)
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I listened
as she told me the stories of her life
the struggle against demons that I could not imagine,
and the slow effort to rise up again.
I listened
as he unburdened his soul
explaining why he did what he did
his confusion in the midst of decision-making,
and the peace in his voice at the end.
I listened
as she talked about her love
laughing as she explained exactly what it was,
how it was that they arrived at this point.
I listened
as his voice changed when he talked about a girl
that he never met, but wanted to get to know,
and how she changed his life.
I listened
as her voice dropped when she explained
the circumstances that forced her to this place,
and tears filled her eyes.
I listened
as he told jokes to lighten my mood
even as he struggled with the anxiety of not knowing,
and the fear of change.
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It is 99 degrees F outside right now, and the neighbors opened up the fire hydrant on the corner…kids and adults are playing in the water. I wish I could get a picture of it…such typical hot summer day behavior.
I went outside for a few minutes, and since it is not humid outside, the heat felt great to me. I’m sure if I was out there for more than 10 minutes I would not feel that way, but for those few minutes…
I watched a Chinese father and his 4 year old son chasing each other through the water. A white woman held her neighbor’s black child on her lap, and the “Italian mafia” guys on our street had the grill outside and brought lemonade. The Russian woman brought her toddler out to splash in the water, and an older Indian couple walked up and down the street, the woman wrapped in her sari.
I could be at a memorial service right now, or at a beach with many of my friends, or exploring the city…but right now, I am really enjoying the peace and quiet. Seeing the crowd of lovely, amazing people all splashing around, regardless of the fact that they looked different on the outside, was just completely wonderful.
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I took the red line today. This means I was on a train for 1 hour, most of which was underground.
The train used to be my favorite form of public transportation. The hypnotic motion as it hurtled toward its destination, watching all different kinds of people get on and off…there is nothing like the Chicago El system.
But now I come home to read the news (since television is so atrocious), and all I see is this:
Toll climbs in Egyptian attacks
and more and more and more. For some reason, being on the bus does not worry me as much…there is something about being underground, though…I see a higher police presence at the public library, on the trains, and on the streets.
I really, really like my bike. Especially right now. But even with all of the world news, and the tension created by the attacks all over…there was standing room only on the red line today.
The H.W. Library
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I turned on the television to see if a storm was coming in.
Why did I even bother? I could have checked on the computer.
I left it on out of pure laziness,
and I felt like my brain was melting out my ears.
The news alternated between reports of deaths and accidents
to gossip on celebrities and their marital troubles.
I don’t know why I am surprised each time
that I try to find out what is happening in the world
and all I find out about
is what is happening at home.
Posted in Thoughts | Comments (1)
that I love avocado smoothies. They make me happier than almost anything except flan. Oh, and I really, really like puns. Yes, I do. I am sorry if this makes you not want to be friends with me.
It has been proven in several scientific papers that my puns get worse the more tired I get. Therefore, one can measure “Sholeh Tiredness” by how royally awful my puns are. I’m serious.
I am looking forward to biking again…something about the freedom I have when zooming around town…phenomenal.
Posted in Humor | Comments (4)
The tunnels under the skyscrapers
feel abandoned, misused,
dirty and alone but somehow
still mysterious.
We don’t know what is behind
those pillars, walls, fences, and doors,
hiding away the basement of the city.
Maid and bellboys from the big hotels
rendevous in dim orange light,
and trucks unload unmarked boxes
at unmarked doors.
I speed through with quiet efficiency,
hugging corners and discovering
new things each time I drive
through Chicago’s hidden side.
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this is not
this is not
this is …again, where we stand.
perfectly still…
again, my heart in my throat
my head in my hands.
This is a very large, very empty
Room.
(Click to enlarge)
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sushi
brussel sprouts
blanched almonds
coffee ice cream
flan
cooking/baking
dancing in the rain
swimming in Lake Michigan
swimming in the Atlantic Ocean
making sand castles
dancing (especially salsa, though I’m not very good at it)
exploring forests
climbing trees
rollerblading/biking
the Garden State soundtrack
Indian films
nail polish
fantasy/sci-fi books
reading in bed all day
skyscrapers (especially working in them)
business-speak
clothing
watching people (I can spot a tourist from a mile away)
making faces
exploring Chicago on a whim
you.
Posted in Thoughts | Comments (5)
The questions are leaping ahead of answers, right now.
I keep writing to stay in the game,
or maybe just to stay sane.
———————————–
I have two days of the year that are my favorites. The first is Naw-Ruz (the Baha’i New Year), and the second is the picnic at the Hazirih for staff of the Baha’i National Center and volunteers of the House of Worship. I think this year I might belong in both categories. hah. Anyways, I go every year and it is almost like a giant “family” reunion. It is all capped off by fireworks, watched from a beach on Lake Michigan. *sigh* whee!
Anyways, last year was a disappointment, but the weather today is gorgeous, and I’m very excited.
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