On Looking for Someone: Is thinking in an integrated and coherent way about the process of growth

 

Looking for someone who ...

• Is actively engaged in the process of growth
• Has experience in being "drawn into the life of society", perhaps through regular home visits and other activities in the neighborhood in which they are serving
• Is thinking in a relatively integrated and coherent way about the process of growth (for example the interconnection and relationship of core activities to each other)
• Has a posture of continuous learning

Last night George from the Social Action Desk at the Baha'i National Center came to town. He met with a humble group of friends in Lisa's home in Salishan who (hopefully) met the criteria described above to talk about the Institute Process as it relates to social action. Here is video of some of that conversation (not in HD). -gw

 

 

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On Naw Ruz at Tim and Deb's: Eh?

Naw Ruz, Baha'i holy day, first day of spring. Tacoma tradition. The pictures finally. -gw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bab introduced a new calendar, known now as the Badi or Baha'i calendar (see notes 27 and 147). According to this calendar, a day is the period from sunset to sunset. In the Bayan, the Bab ordained the month of `Ala to be the month of fasting, decreed that the day of Naw-Ruz should mark the termination of that period, and designated Naw-Ruz as the Day of God. Baha'u'llah confirms the Badi calendar wherein Naw-Ruz is designated as a feast. ...

 

Kitab-i-Aqdas

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On Introducing Math Concepts At a Very Early Age: Measuring with ribbons

 

We hear a lot about the importance of reading, getting kids started early. We don't hear as much about getting kids started early with math. Here is Bill from our last Peninsula's Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Group describing the significance of introducing math concepts in preschool, giving an example of a strategy, measuring with ribbons, following up on the conversation he started the month previously. In many parts of the world, in many cultures, young children play math games with their parents as they kick or throw a ball . -gw

 

Thou didst write as to the question of spiritual discoveries. The spirit of man is a circumambient power that encompasseth the realities of all things. Whatsoever thou dost see about thee—wondrous products of human workmanship, inventions, discoveries and like evidences—each one of these was once a secret hidden away in the realm of the unknown. The human spirit laid that secret bare, and drew it forth from the unseen into the visible world. There is, for example, the power of steam, and photography and the phonograph, and wireless telegraphy, and advances in mathematics: each and every one of these was once a mystery, a closely guarded secret, yet the human spirit unravelled these secrets and brought them out of the invisible into the light of day. Thus is it clear that the human spirit is an all-encompassing power that exerteth its dominion over the inner essences of all created things, uncovering the well kept mysteries of the phenomenal world.

 

Selections From the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha

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On the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program Comes to Pierce County: Youth become builders of unity and champions of justice

This post was put together for my blog devoted to my experience as a volunteer for the Tacoma Invaders football team. -gw

 

My friend Henri Cross visited the Invaders practice back in January. In the audio of this video he is talking with Karen about the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. If anyone knows of any kids 12 to 14 years of age who would like to participate in a junior youth group here locally, or any older teenagers or young adults who would like to be trained as Junior Youth Animators for a JYSEP group, just say the word. I can get you in touch with Gwen who is a Junior Youth Coordinator here for Pierce County.

 

Invader players, if you have any family members, brothers, sisters, cousins or children in this age range, don't hesitate to speak to me at practice. Players, you would make great group junior youth leaders, "animators," as they are called. Serve your community. Volunteer to serve. -gw

 

http://www.lgbijyg.org/

 

 

The primary purpose of a junior youth group

is to serve as an environment of mutual support for its members, youth ranging in age from 12 to 14; one in which the spiritual perception, patterns of thought and behavior, as well as the necessary language can be developed so as to enable these youth to become builders of unity and champions of justice in their own neighborhoods and communities.

Each group centers around the study of materials

which have been developed, piloted and adopted in junior youth groups around the globe.  Their relevance goes beyond cultural or religious boundaries, and they seek to help junior youth develop an intellectual and spiritual framework with which to approach their path in life.  While central to any Junior Youth Group, study also only takes up a small portion of the time junior youth spend together.

The concepts, attitudes, qualities, and skills considered and discussed in the materials are immediately put into action through

service to the community

.  The scope and specific form of  that service is determined through collective consultation amongst the group members.

http://www.nwjunioryouth.com/The_Program.html

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On It's Not Football: Men in short pants scrumming at Stewart Heights Park

 

What kind of football game is it where men wear short pants. Yup, rugby.

 

 

There were scrumming at Stewart Heights Park next to where the Invaders were praciting on Saturday. I did a double-take upon arrival.

 

Coach Charles said that in Lakeland, Florida, where he is from, it's all football all the time. -gw

 

http://www.videojug.com/film/rugby-union-guide-to-scrums

 

 

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On Mysterious Man with Mustache: And tuba

From the Great Photos collection on Baha'i Views is this one entitled, "Tuba, Man with Mustache, and Flower Pot."

 

From the same set of photos taken at Naw Ruz is this one, "After the Party, Sink Full of Dishes."

 

More coming. -gw

 

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On Still Together in Poulsbo: Baha'i study circle goes on the road to complete Book 1

 

This is how the Ruhi 1 Baha'i study circle started. At the place we were holding our Cluster Reflection Meeting in Gig Harbor six months ago , a dear soul asked who we were and why we were there.

 

 

This how the study circle ended, on the road, back in Nancy's home in Poulsbo, the friends in Gig Harbor traveling up to join her so they could be sure to complete Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, together. -gw

 

 

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On The Naw Ruz Photos: Coming

 

I got my ATC meeting times mixed up. The all-day core team meeting I thought was yesterday is today instead. Sometimes my head isn't on straight. Correction ... most times. -gw

 

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On Prayers for the Coach Charles' Grandfather: And best wishes to the Invaders

 

Coach Charles' grandfather died in Florida.  I will say prayers tonight for the progress of his soul. Charles will be gone for the next two weeks to be with his family.

 

In the meantime, the Invaders football practices continue. I can't attend tomorrow, as I have for the past three Sundays, but I slipped in a quick end-of-the -practice visit today. I had wanted to get there earlier, but...

 

The van had been in for 30,000-mile maintenance. So Bonita would not have to leave her cooking projects, I asked for shuttle service to get me back to the dealer's. The young man doing the driving today, a fill-in for the regular guy who was sick, got lost, so lost, that one of the office staff had to come to get me instead. By the time I got the Transit Connect, there was only 20 minutes or so left of the scheduled practice. I went anyway. Glad I did. Had a chance to visit with players and coaches, as it started to rain again -- or was it sleet?

 

While lining up for one of the last plays, Luis said hi from the wide receiver spot. 

 

As equipment was being put away, A.J. came over to tell me about his plans for college; hopefully, football will provide the vehicle for him to get there.

 

Joe told me about his trying to get his blocking duties down so that he can stay out in front of the runner. He also said that I had caught a picture of his kids, which I had posted on Facebook, at the first practice back in January.

 

Charles told me about his grandfather who died at the ripe age of 86; longevity runs in the family, he said. I told him about the canopy I had bought with the team in mind. It will be my Invader's fan tent, where they can avoid the rain -- or the sun, if that were ever to become a problem. Also, it can serve as a place for devotions, for early arriving fans and players, a circle of chairs underneath it doing double duty during the course of the day.

 

 

Here is a Baha'i prayer for the departed, for the progress of the soul of Charles' grandfather. -gw

 

http://www.bahaiprayers.org/depart4.htm

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On the Diversity That is Tacoma: Evident at Stewart Heights Park

http://www.flickr.com/photos/85934826@N00/sets/72157626229079621

 

I love the backdrop to my Invaders football practice photos. It is the Stewart Heights Park itself, and its environs.

 

The park sits in the middle of a neighborhood that says "Tacoma" loud and clear. Tacoma is, for the most part, working class.  I prefer humble to fancy, and that's what you find on the eastside where the relatively new park is a shining star.

 

Stewart Heights Park appears to be in constant use, even during late winter/early spring. There are basketball courts, playground equipment, tennis courts, the baseball field, and, of course, the open space where football practice is conducted, in addition to a waterslide pool which will open with warm weather.  

 

A railroad track runs along the park. You can hear the train whistle blow from time to time coming from red engines with "Tacoma Line" written in great big letters. East of the tracks in the distance is a church whose  bells can be heard. North of the park is another church and church school. Southwest of the park is a public school. In the park itself is a police substation. Ringing the park are humble homes. Get the picture? This place is safe and secure. Family friendly.

 

Families of all backgrounds come to the park. I love the diversity you can find in this town, as I love the diversity you find on the Invaders football team. Unity in diversity is a watchword for the team and the world. -gw

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On Dinner for Irene: Toby's mother is honored at Spirit House gathering

Irene Lobato died this past week, following her husband's passing last year. A lovely dinner was held in her honor at Spirit House by her family. -gw

 

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On the Diversity That is Tacoma: Evident at Stewart Heights Park

I love the backdrop to my Invaders football practice photos. It is the Stewart Heights Park itself, where the team practices, and its environs.

 

The park sits in the middle of a neighborhood that says "Tacoma" loud and clear. Tacoma is, for the most part, working class.  I prefer humble to fancy, and that's what you find on the eastside where the relatively new park is a shining star.

 

Stewart Heights Park appears to be in constant use, even during late winter/early spring. There are basketball courts, playground equipment, tennis courts, the baseball field, and, of course, the open space where football practice is conducted, in addition to a waterslide pool which will open with warm weather.  

 

A railroad track runs along the park. You can hear the train whistle blow from time to time coming from red engines with "Tacoma Line" written in great big letters. East of the tracks in the distance is a church whose  bells can be heard. North of the park is another church and church school. Southwest of the park is a public school. In the park itself is a police substation. Ringing the park are humble homes. Get the picture? This place is safe and secure. Family friendly.

 

Families of all backgrounds come to the park. I love the diversity you can find in this town, as I love the diversity you find on the Invaders football team. Unity in diversity is a watchword for the team and the world. -gw

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On Ain't No Big Dog: Coming to bite you

 

Lyle Lovett says it all. -gw

 

Ain’t no big dog, Coming to bite you
Ain’t no bad man, Coming to find you
Just rest easy, We'll be home soon
And you'll be sleeping, In your own room
Don't you worry little one
Don't you worry little one
Everything is going to be all right In the morning light

Mama loves you, Daddy does too
Grandma wants you, After schools through
You just be cool
And rest easy
'Cause you're the king of All that you see
So don't you worry little one
Don't you worry little one
Everything is going to be all right In the morning light

"Big Dog," Lyle Lovett

 

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On Small Group Study: So comforting

So comforting, to be with the friends of the Baha'i Study Circle. The end of one book is just the beginning of the next. Arising to Serve is just around the corner for us. We won't miss a beat. -gw
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On the Great Importance Attached to the Mother’s Role: She is the first educator of the child

 

Being around babies, even for a moment, puts everything in perspective. -gw

 

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/CW/cw-75-printable.html

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On Another of the Myriad Social Spaces Within Which To Build Community: Work

The word "community' slips into so much discourse in this day. We are invited to build community in every social space within which we reside. At my work I walk with several colleagues in a nearby forest during the noon hour -- and, of course, blog about it. -gw

http://hikingillahee.blogspot.com/

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On Tales of Perseveran​ce and Triumph: Death is a messenger of joy

 

Put yourself in the shoes of the late Mrs. Ashraf Khanjani and walk in them for a mile to understand what has befallen her family and how she has been a constant source of perseverance and resolve.  Any fair-minded observer would think that after losing a brother to execution at the hands the Islamic government and the appointing of her husband to the group of Yárán, which itself caused the family much anguish and harassment over the next three decades with multiple summons to the Ministry of Intelligence and prison visits, she would have caved in and demanded that her family “cool it”, so to speak, and decrease their Bahá'í activities, so as to not be in spotlight or constantly on the radar of the authorities, with her home functioning as a “crime scene” frequented by intelligence agents.  Rather, she raised her children as active members of the Bahá'í religion and they went on to have children of their own, all of whom, despite seeing the “disadvantages” of membership in the Bahá'í community such as their parents’ and grandfather’s frequent summons and visits to the Iranian Revolutionary Courts and deprivation of jobs and education, chose to be active members of the Bahá'í community and have provided service to Iran, the country they hold sacred, as outstanding citizens. 

 

Above is a portion of testimony from Nizam written upon reading about the funeral of Ashraf Khanjani, as passed on to me by Praveen.

 

We've had a death in our community. Below is a portion of the testimony written by Tim about the living son of the dear soul who just passed on. There is such love in the Baha'i community. -gw

 

It was my privilege to sit with Toby for an hour on his front steps. That guy is just a effulgent mirror of love. With all his grief, medical pain, and numerous other challenges, he just really lets it shine. He says they are going to take in two more kids. One of them is the half-sister of one of Toby’s granddaughters, but no blood relation to Toby. He seemed a little doubtful, so I assured Toby that he was a good son to his parents. OMG... How many people could have done a fraction of what he did? And with ten times the resources? Like he said today, “Everybody thinks their Mom is crazy. Mine was certifiable.” But he is missing her so much. I left there walking on air. Ya Baha’ul’Abha!

 

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On Call It Good: The Arabic word Bahá' (بهاء " splendor" or "glory")

call it good, this one is done .... Jamie http://www.flickr.com/photos/leicabokeh/

 

 

First month of the year on the 19 month Baha'i calendar, Baha is Arabic for 'Splendor' or 'Glory'. Kids, nature and a handful of adults come to mind ......

 

Jamie's photo set for this Baha'i month. Call it good, indeed! -gw

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On Reflection Meetings in Tonga: Parents automatically bring their young ones

http://watersofthyunity.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

Our next reflection meeting in Cluster 19 WA is just around the corner. I noticed the post below on Stephanie's blog from Tonga about theirs in the cluster she is in in Tonga. Stephanie is a Baha'i citizen of the world hailing from Tacoma, a Stadium High School graduate, BTW, now doing her Baha'i Year of Service in that great island nation in the Pacific

 

Sunday there was a Cluster Reflection Meeting for the Tongatapu cluster of this whole main island. It was very well attended (they get 80-150 adults and youth and 30-40 children at it!) and I was so happy to learn that parents automatically bring their young ones to it even if they don’t know if a program has been arranged for the children – such a good reminder of family and children being central to the community and not isolating people instead!

 

http://watersofthyunity.wordpress.com/page/2/

 

This is Steph at our last reflection meeting here in January. -gw

 

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On President Obama's Mention of the Baha'is: In his annual Naw Ruz message

From: Northwest BahaiLibrary

President Obama mentions the Baha'i Faith in his Naw Ruz message 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse#p/u/0/QuTQGjfKtSA

 

I'm grateful to Robert at NBL for passing this on. -gw

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On the End of the Notion of Football As Militaristic: It's official

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I thought of medieval armor when looking at the Invaders players who this weekend, for the first time this season, put on pads for practice. Football, America's sport, is seen as militaristic, yet there is a trend away from the use of militaristic terms in the official coverage of the game. That is  commensurate with a trend in the world as well. -gw
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In a little-discussed shift in recent years, the NFL has moved away from depicting its games in military terms.  ... [T]he NFL no longer endorses using military terminology to describe its contests. ...

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"It's a matter of common sense," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. ...

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The same is true at NFL Films, an arm of the league that perpetuated for decades the image of football as controlled warfare by producing movies glorifying the game's violence with phrases like "linebacker search and destroy." In recent years the company's president, Steve Sabol, ordered all allusions to war be removed from its new films.

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"I don't think you will ever see those references coming back," he said. "They won't be back in our scripts, certainly not in my lifetime."

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The sport that once saw itself as the closest thing in athletics to the military no longer holds to this once-cherished notion.

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"We're not going to fight no war, man," Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Nick Eason said during pregame festivities this past week before his team's clash tonight with the Arizona Cardinals. A direct contrast to Bernie Parrish, who played cornerback for the Cleveland Browns in the 1960s and said in a hotel lobby here: "We wanted to kill each other. It was mortal combat. We were warriors."

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No one in the NFL is quite certain when the notion changed.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/31/AR2009013100163.html
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Baha'is know when the notion changed, with the coming of Baha'u'llah. -gw
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On Words of Wisdom from Coach Gwen: Calm down

 

Gwen's little story told to me at the Tacoma Invaders practice last week is a nice reminder of how ineffective negative talk is. It isn't motivating, it's stultifying. Get a grip.

 

"Coach Gwen" -- that's how I refer to her. -gw

 

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On the Unbelievers and the Faithless: Their minds set on four things

The unbelievers and the faithless have set their minds on four things: first, the shedding of blood; second, the burning of books; third, the shunning of the followers of other religions; fourth, the extermination of other communities and groups.        (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 91)

 

This quote is so powerful. How much of the disorder in the world can be traced to these four things. Naw-Ruz is a day to do humanitarian acts. I can think of one enormous humanitarian act the Iranian authorities could do.  -gw

 

 

As we gather together at the above table of haft seen to usher in the Baha’i New Year; Naw-Ruz, we like to include the seven Sh (YARAN of IRAN) keeping them in our prayers. We think of them as our haft sheen or haft shir (seven lions of the divine courage and love).

 

http://www.kidsidebyside.org/?p=2477

 

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On Liam Leads Us in Song: A' Soalin'

 

Soul, a soul, a soul cake, please good missus a soul cake.

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry,

any good thing to make us all merry,

One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all.

 

At the end of Kim and Cornelia's Baha'i devotional for March a few Wednesdays ago, Cornelia sang, at Liam's request,  A' Soalin' . It can be sung as a round, which we did. Cornllia led the first group and Liam lead the second. 

 

I'm old enough to remember the Peter Paul and Mary version of this old song from the one of their albums during their heyday in the 1960s. Read about the full history of the song here. The song is associated with All Souls Day, which is celebrated in November, and here we  were on the verge of St Patrict's Day. We sang it anyway.  

 

BTW, I wonder if there are any Naw-Ruz songs? -gw

 

 

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On It's What's for Dinner: I'll take it

Three more hours to this day's fast. The last day of the Baha'i Fast is tomorrow. Then Feast tomorrow night at Tom & Debbie's. Then Naw Ruz brunch at Tim and Deb's Monday morning at 10 a.m.

 

 

This is what I'm going to eat tonight. Bonita just made it for her and told me that's what's for dinner. I'll take it. -gw

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On a Divine Spring: The earth of existence moved and the material world was put in motion

 

The original feed store and garden supply business, which was about 2,400 square feet, was owned and run by the Stroh family for more than six decades. The store has been a favorite of Gig Harbor gardeners and horse lovers for generations.

 

The Stroh family sold the business to Wilco last year, but still owns the land. Wilco will be the sole, long-term tenant of the property.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/mar/06/new-wilco-store-sprouting-next-strohs-gh/#ixzz1H5W4DiyZ

Waxing poetic about the place you've gotten your garden straw for many years may be a little over the top, but the sun is shining today (and I hope tomorrow, too, for the devotional before the Invaders practice), and tomorrow is the first day of  Spring. So here is the news: Stroh's in Gig Harbor is becoming a Wilco store. 

 

Wilco is the Northwest's largest and most sophisticated Ag Supply cooperative providing Agronomy, Petroleum, and Retail Store services

 

http://www.wilco.coop/

 

 

The breeze of the divine spring blew, and the fruitful winds of infinite generosity passed by from the point of favor. The brilliant morning dawned and the glad-tidings of the greatest gift were announced. The divine spring appeared throughout the contingent world. The earth of existence moved and the material world was put in motion. The barren and dried up soil turned into an eternal garden, and the inanimate earth was endowed with eternal life. The flowers and myrtles of knowledge grew, and the fresh herbage of the knowledge of God flourished. The material world showed forth the bounties of the Merciful, and the visible world displayed the scene of the invisible world. The call of God was raised, the divine banquet celebrated, the cup of the Testament was circulated and the universal acclamation was uttered!

 

Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha

 

Happy Naw-Ruz, friends. And happy gardening. -gw

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On Devotions Before Football Practice: Calling to our aid those spiritual forces upon which the efficacy of our individual and collective efforts depends

 

I can't believe it. The weather forcast is for partly SUNNY on Sunday. Should be a good day for pictures and a nice day for fans to stop by at the Stewart Heights practice field of the Tacoma Invaders. And a good day to gather for prayers before practice.

 

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking about. Inviting players, coaches, and fans to come to practice each week an hour early ... to say prayers together.

 

May our lives be "distinguished for its devotional character." I have learned that collective worship of people of all faith backgrounds is a powerful force. "Uniting with others in prayer, turning [our] hearts in supplication to [our] Maker, and calling to [our] aid those spiritual forces upon which the efficacy of [our] individual and collective efforts depends" is good for the city of Tacoma, good for a football team that has Tacoma in its name, and good for its fans.

 

Join me at 1 p.m. at Stewart Heights Park. I'll have a circle of chairs. And there will be sunshine. God willing. -gw

"With every sacrifice that is made, with every forward step that is taken along the toilsome and long road they are destined to tread, with every victory dearly and laboriously won by the champions, ... a measure of blessing from on high will undoubtedly be vouchsafed..." - Shoghi Effendi 

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On Prayers for Japan: A devotional program

From:

Marc

Subject: Prayers for Japan

 

Here is a devotional program for those suffering in Japan... Love, Marc & Farnoosh

“Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. " -Baha'u'llah

 

We awaken to thoughts of Japan and we go to sleep with thoughts of Japan. -gw

Prayers for Japan Mar 2011 C.doc Download this file

Prayers for Japan Mar 2011 E.doc Download this file

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On the Benefits of Fasting: Spiritual and material

Reflections Day 16 2011.pdf Download this file

From: praveen

Subject: Day 16 Reflections

fyi
Warm  Greetings,
Praveen.
http://simpletechlife.in/

 

Praveen's reflections on the spiritual benefits of the Baha'i Fast are above.  My recent reflections with a co-worker hiking a noon for exercise on some material, bodily benefits of fasting are below. -gw

 

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On Be a Fan: Stand in the rain

 

This was the invitation I extended to my Facebook Baha'i Coummunity friends. Be a fan. Like the fans pictured above, who came out on Sunday in the rain to watch the Tacoma Invaders practice. Believe me, the players noticed. -gw

 

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On Blame It on the Bossa Nova: Family-friendly Tom's Terrific Trio Tropical at the Greener Bean

Oh, it all began with just one little dance / But then it ended up a big romance / Blame it on the bossa nova / The dance of love / (Now was it the moon?)

 

Tom does it again. Thoroughly entertains, uplifts, and edifies our Thursday evening Baha'i devotional bunch that went on another field trip to the Tropical Bean in Fircrest last week. Blame it on the Bossa Nova. -gw

 

 

 

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On Three Stacked Pyramids: The voice of experience is honored in a learning culture

 

One concept that has taken hold of our cluster very recently, and focused our energy, is the idea that under the learning pyramid of study circles is another pyramid composed of the junior youth going through the spiritual empowerment curiculum. And furthermore, beneath those two pyramids lie the children’s class curriculum pyramid. This visualization, using three stacked triangles, has caused our cluster to focus primarily on increasing the foundation pyramids, especially when we took into consideration the percent of return of investment and the idea that families of the children naturally become involved with the process of growth.

 

From Loree, now up in Alaska, who was one of the first in our area to animate a Junior Youth Empowerment Group. The voice of experience is honored in a learning culture. Stacked triangles, huh. -gw

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pascalin/

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On KC's Recommendation: Hidden Word songs from a West Virginian mountain man

http://tindeck.com/album/okxiw

From: KC

Subject: Baha'i songs

Unique album to Hidden Word songs from a West Virginian mountain man, Greg Shaw.

 

Thanks, KC. I'll check it out. Free downloads of Baha'i-inspired music. Can't beat that. -gw

 

Tindeck is a free MP3 hosting service that allows you to upload your original music and audio and share it with people around the world. To get started, register a free account, or log in.

 

http://tindeck.com/album/okxiw

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On the Baha'i Institute Process: A retrospective of posts

Source: Google images for "Institute process Baha'i"

 

In preparing links to add to my new blog, I am astounded to see just how much has appeared on Baha'i Views over the years for each of the core activities. For a surprising and exhilerating review of our good times along the road of learning here in Cluster 19 WA, click to see for yourself. -gw

 

Junior youth empowerment groups

Devotional meetings

Children's classes

Study circles

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On a Chance to Serve in an Official Capacity: I'll keep the camera running

 

I happened to have the camera running when Coach Charles and Coach Will asked me to be the Invaders' photographer, my first opportunity to serve the organization is an official capacity. I was both surprised and thrilled to be asked. Of course, I said yes. A few days later had a chance to state my photography "philosophy" on the Invaders Facebook page in response to comment.

 

 

Given the convenience that the posterous blogging platform provides, I have created another blog just to tell the story of my involvement with Invaders and Tigers football here in Tacoma. To do so, I have pulled together the several dozen posts that chronicle how I came to know Coach Charles and the work that he and others like Coach Will and Karen are doing to support children, youth and young adults in our community through the two football organizations.. Baha'i Views is, of course, my primary personal blog, but I will simultaneously autopost to Community Building Through Invaders/Tigers Football any post related to the Invaders or Tigers. Here the "About" page to the new blog. -gw

... become familiar with the myriad social spaces, beyond geographic ones, in which segments of the population come together and to offer them, to the extent possible, the wisdom enshrined in the teachings.

The December 28, 2010, Message from the Universal House of Justice

Baha'is work in neighborhoods to help spiritualize the planet through offering certain core activities that contribute to social cohesion and unity of purpose in a community. But as the quote above makes clear, Baha'is are called upon to look beyond the neighborhood to other "social spaces." One such social space in my town I have come to admire so much involves the young adults and children of all ages, together with their families and friends, who are affiliated with the Tacoma Invaders adult minor league football club and the UTYA (Upper Tacoma Youth Athletics) Tigers.

This blog is intended as a place to keep the posts I have done on Baha'i Views over the past several years which describe my efforts to get to know and to work with this football-loving extended family. I come to the work inspired by the Baha'i vision and look to support the development of four core activities as a vehicle for community-builiding:  devotional meetings, Ruhi study circles, Baha'i children's classes and junior youth groups.

The posts here cover the steps along the way to my surprising involvement in the sport of football that all started with meeting on his very doorstep a football coach by the name of Charles. Who knows where my service will take me, but I'm thrilled with the continuing prospects for trying to be helpful. -gw

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On Everybody in This Picture Is Fasting This Year: Boys to men and goodbye to Aunt Matilda

 

Bonita came across this picture loose while organzing the study upstairs (where we never study BTW). The watermark on the paper says Kodak, which should say quite a bit about how old the photo is. Those boys have grown to be men, pushing 30. The guy who looks like Aunt Matilda (as Bonita is wont to say) has short graying hair, is slimmer now (thank God!), and is not so Aunt Matilda-like anymore (she says). If you'd ask me at the time this photo was taken, whether I hoped these boys would grow up to fast, I would have said, yes indeed. This year, I'm happy to say, all three of us are fasting and supporting each other in the process. -gw

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On Prayers for the Fast: Not in prayer book

Fasting booklet.pdf Download this file

Via praveen

 

Nine prayers and readings for the Baha'i fast I have never seen before. The Writings are indeed an ocean. -gw

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On Developing the Power of Expression in Youth Aged 12 to 15: Change Bucket

A few of us in Halifax have started a project aimed at encouraging the junior youth to use the arts as a means of expression their views on justice and social change. You can find the project here: http://www.facebook.com/l/06105103QwOhRKNH2qcfVBP5UcQ/www.changebucket.org. - Emad

 

Sounds like a noble project. -gw

 

 

Change Bucket is inspired by the dual purpose of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program; namely, that of forming strong moral identities and developing the power of expression in youth aged 12 to 15.

As junior youth are assisted “to navigate through a crucial stage of their lives and to become empowered to direct their energies toward the advancement of civilization,” the desire to serve, to make an impact on earth, and to articulate an inherent longing for justice becomes manifest. As established systems continue to disintegrate around us, a new generation committed to radical change and sustainable advancement has emerged. Parallel to this process we have witnessed the development of faster and more efficient communication mediums, and as a result, the individual is now more powerful than ever. The Junior Youth program shows us how to reconcile this power with a sense of social responsibility.

The purpose of Change Bucket is simple: to channel this emerging consciousness by provoking thoughtful reflection through the visual arts and writing.

Our first goal is simple, to obtain as many submissions from those between the ages of 12 and 15 as possible. What do you have to do? Simple, just take a photo, draw or paint a picture, write a story, a poem, or whatever you like and toss it into the Change Bucket. The second goal is to publish these works into a book that will be donated to community leaders, dignitaries, schools, and other public spaces.

In this way, Change Bucket hopes to provide the Junior Youth with an opportunity to serve through the power of expression.

To toss something into the Change Bucket, please visit the “submit” page where we have posted a few guidelines. We look forward to your contributions.

The Change Bucket Team

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On the Baha'i Month of Loftiness ... Ala: If only those pesky circles of confusion would just calm down

I've been off Flickr due to uploading video on the Tacoma Invaders Football Facebook page. (How lofty is that?) I discover that Jamie's set has been at the ready for posting for days now. (Pesky confusion!) Sorry Jamie! -gw

 

first month I've been off schedule, this is one that digs real deep ..... trying to balance a lofty g-d in the face of real hunger .... if there was ever a time for me to focus on the metaphors this would be it, no? and if only those pesky circles of confusion would just calm down ,,,,, Jamie

 

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On She Works with the Likes of Jimmy Page and Michael Jackson's Guitarist: Her latest video, "Citizen of the World"

From: Northwest BahaiLibrary

Cheng Lin ... currently working on her next album which will include
guitarists Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Orianthi (Michael Jackson's
guitarist). Her song "Only One Earth" was presented to Al Gore in in 2010 to use
in his climate change training program.

Her website features her latest video, a  collaboration with other
international singers: "Citizens of the World":  www.chenglinmusic.cn/

 

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On All She Wants to Do Is Camp: May the earthly world become a camping-place for the heavenly hosts

 

 

Bonita wants to go camping. Cook on an open fire. Put the canoe in the water on a nearby lake. Hike a hillside in the sunshine. And she wants it all NOW. But it's still too cold and rainy. Poor baby! -gw

 

 

I beg of God that He may strengthen and solidify such connections between the friends (believers), so that the spiritual unity may become a manifest light and the earthly world may become a camping-place for the heavenly hosts.

 

O thou dear maid-servant of God! Be thou aglow and illumined and be thou enkindled in soul with the fire of the love of God in every assemblage. Be not quiet for a moment and do not seek composure even for an hour (i.e., be active in spreading the light). Be thou a cause for the illumining of hearts and spiritualizing of souls.

 

Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas

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On New Things Made Old and Vice Versa: Uniting the past and present, the ancient and everlasting

Caught by the comment she "took five rolls of film when i was in haifa for the month of january," I went over to samimi-extremie's site to see her photos from her Baha'i pilgrimage. Using film in the digital age. What a concept! It's like releasing your music on vinyl AND on the Internet. In this age we live in, it's not "either or" -- it's "and." The past and present are one.

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Baha'i Holy Places in Israel

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The photos looked like somthing out of an ancient, venerable, and thick library book about the Baha'i Faith.

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Here is another set from her flickr site. -gw

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On After the Downpour: Take a hike

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What do you do after a downpour? Take a hike. -gw
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On the Eve of the Fast Feast: The Tacoma community is beginning to sing like South Carolina West

These are some photos from last weeks Baha'i Feast. I had to leave early (tuckered out -- had to get to bed early because of the fast), so I missed some great photo opportunities, but check with Deb. Maybe she's posted her shots on her Facebook.

 

Gwen's special art activity for the friends -- and not just the kids -- was exceptional. As were the songs she led us in.

 

With her lead, the Tacoma community is beginning to sing like South Carolina West. I got some video of her instruction and our performance, but haven't been able to upload to Flickr yet. Getting video up of Tacoma Invaders Football practice has had to come first. I've got my responsibilities with the team, you see.

 

 

 

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