On Remembering Norm Nault: He was always devoted to Indian progress
Prayers were chanted in several Northwest Native American languages, and in Arabic and English for the funeral of Norm Nault, a member of our Baha'i community. -gw
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
On Animator Gives Up Video Gaming: Inspired by the opportunities of greater service
My son has informed the world via Facebook and the friends gathered for the Baha'i expansion phase that he is giving up video games. It's a big deal. He's been gaming for half his life. He decided it was a problem. He got inspired by the stories of other young adults involved in the institute process whose lives have the kind of focus that he wants for himself. So he went cold turkey. He removed game histories from his many and sundry devices and gave it all upto his roommate, Poor roommate. Hope he flushes the stuff down the toilet so he won't be tempted. -gw
On Expansion of the Baha'i Core Activities in Tacoma: It's a children's crusade
The coordinators are in their early 20s. There is a sprinkling of older souls to help out as well. But the mass of the army of teachers to expand the core activities on Tacoma's Eastside are teenagers or younger. It's a chiildren's crusade. -gw
Saturday, October 27, 2012
On Into the Neighborhood: In reliance on the Word of God
Two 12-year-olds and a 40-something year-old from the neighborhood together with the secretary of the Regional Baha'i Council head out to see whom they can find. -gw
“Victories will be won in the next five years by youth and adults, men and women, who may at present be wholly unaware of Bahá'u'lláh’s coming.”
Let us gain...
“a fuller appreciation of the dynamics that underlie [the institute process]—the spirit of fellowship it creates, the participatory approach it adopts, the depth of understanding it fosters, the acts of service it recommends, and, above all, its reliance on the Word of God.”
The Universal House of Justice in its message of Jan. 1, 2011
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
On My Top 40: Most viewed Flickr photos & videos
It's been a while since I have updated my Flickr Top Forty, the pics and vids with the most hits.on Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie -gw
40.. Smiles - Another photo of lovely youth in Salishan being served by the Institute Process underway in that neighborhood.
39. Illahee Reserve hiking 020 - A particularly beautiful picture of the forest just across the street from where I work.
38. Jaya was there - Gwen & Joe's baby was there at ... was it her first Feast?
37. The social part of Feast - A photo from a magical Salishan Baha'i Feast held outside just before dusk.
36. Songs as an inspiration to others - A snippet from a Paul Parrish music website.
35. Coach Sharp's smile - Taken before study circle at Michelle's home on the Eastside.
34. Encouraging words by Coach Sharp - Get back in the game.
33, As tutors we are asked to make friendships to serve humanity - Comments by Helen at at Baha'i study circle reflection meeting.
32. Strive that your actions day by day may be a beautiful prayer - A photo of the lyrics of this great Baha'i favorite song much sung in our cluster.
31. Treasures lay hid in the innermost chambers of our club - Harri Peltola said it on the Baha'i-inspired Music Listeners Club Facebook page.
30. Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim, Topkopi Palace, Istanbul - Not my photo. Original uploaded on November 2, 2005 by cfarivar on flickr, I just edited it using Picasa..
29. Trejon is #9 this year - This Kim & Charles' son Trejon, who was wearing my favorite #9 at the beginning of the season but is now wearing #34.
28. Chris Cornell's "Can't Change Me" - Album cover and songs on it as viewed on my computer.
27. Become a source of social good - Lisa reading Abdu'l-Baha during devotions at Matt & Christy's.
26. The First National Bank of Jimi Hendrix - Taken in Port Townsend WA.
25. A coyote evening chorus - Taken while canoeing the natural flowing lower Columbia.
24. Russ Salton & Friends at Mandolin Cafe 011 - The Mandolin Cafe is no more. Does this make this pic more valuable?
23. Love Colors by the Pretenders - Stop the car! My impromptu music video shot on the way to Feast at Jim & Kay's.
22. Rumaki 004 - Bacon is beautiful, especially with a little styling help from Bonita.
21. Sonic Youth - The Eternal - A picture of the CD? I don't get it.
20. One of his favorite groups is the Protomen - Taken after Feast at Jim & Kay's.
19. "...and my soul's gotta have somewhere to stay" - The 2nd part of a song sung by Gwen in our living room.
18. Prayer books, basket & boy - Taken at the Tigers/Invaders devotional at Matt & Christy's.
17. Man down - Another football photo -- and he's wearing my favoirte number.
16. "This earthly house will soon decay" - Gwen singing 1st part of call-and-response song.
15. Football legs - Pretty darn artful, if I do say so myself.
14. Coach Rambo, his daughters & players - There really is a Coach Rambo and his daughters show up at every game.
13. Players kids - I've seen 'em at just about every Invaders game.
12. The Mendiola boys at devotions - I think Corey's family in the Mariana Islands have run the count up on this one.
11. Are you ready to get started? The Tigers cheerleaders make it to the 11 spot. That makes me happy!
10. Invaders pass for 1st down at the 3 - Star-quality football player used Twitter to get the word out on his catch.
9. Expansion in Tacoma: All day everyday for 3 weeks - Gwen's encapsulation at Feast of a recent intensive campaign.
8. Summer Zucchini - Bonita sliced them a different way.
7. Reaching the spiritual age of maturity - From Gwen's overview of how all the pieces of the Institute Process fit together.
6. Roots - Oh, the color of this root grown in Bonita's garden!
5. Sprouted Fenugreek - Popular because the photo was used by a well-known online newspaper in India.
4, SAD STATUE Lyrics - SYSTEM OF A DOWN - Penetrating lyrics by my favorite rageful rock band.
3. Touchdown Invaders - Big number because the player featured in this clip has reposted the link on his Twitter site A LOT.
2..Radiant yuut - Presumably popular in Yuut country up in Alaska.
1. Basa Swai Fillets with Veggies - One of Bonita's food styling classics.
Monday, October 22, 2012
On Still United After All These Years
was quickly brought up to speed by the friends describing current approaches to growth. He said, "Once you become a Baha'i you're always a Baha'i" -- basically, you can't get it out of your head or heart. Even though your journey may seem at times to take you away, there is always a path back.
Yes, that's Tommy Kavelin in the middle with Anne and David. -gw
On After the Game: An opportunity to visit
After the game a bunch of us lingered at the First Creek field. The last game of the season for the Tigers was the first day of our intensive, so many of the friends came over for the chance to visit with junior youth and their families.
The camera was running when Shadi and Sean were talking after the Utya Tigers game yesterday. There are so many people associated with the team who care about people and the world we live in, so many who want to make things better. -gw Make This Youth Radiant: It's not a hula
Coach Matt said the Utya Tigers players staying over at his place Friday night got a laugh at what they called his "dance" learned during Ruhi Book 5 study earlier in the day. Here is his reprise with a little help from Ida & Pegah. -gw
On Being on High Alert: The reality of the dangers of vicariious trauma for clinicians
Vicarious trauma, or compassion fatigue, was a subject that came up at our last consultation group meeting Friday. A backdrop of Halloween decorations hardly lighted the serious tone. I must say, our participants are very compassionate people. There is a impact that hearing the stories of others can have on clinicians. -gw
On Sky Above & Water Below: God provides the inspiration to pray to ferry commuters
Baha'u'llah says we should read the Writings morning and evening. If I had the opportunity to commute to work via ferry, as many people living in the Puget Sound do, I imagine that it would be easy to follow His injunction. A ferry provides all kinds of nooks and crannies for prayer and reflection. The sky above and water below provide the inspiration. -gw
From Anticipation to First Days Reflection: Tacoma's intensive is underway
It is amazing how effectively the Area Teaching Committee and the cluster agencies consult together these days. Such expertise that has been acquired, especially over the last several 3 month cycles of growth. The pace quickens. -gw
Saturday, October 20, 2012
On Taking Notes: For immediate application in the neighborhood
Thinking about community-building on the Eastside... Notes taken listening to Counselor Borna. Have conversations with older siblings of junior youth, junior youth group graduates, and parents of participants.
In an expansion effort don't overwhelm with a lot from outside the neighborhood. -gw
On What Will We Need To See: To reach the goal of 100s serving 1000s
It's hammer time. And we are all carpenters. -gw
On a Chanted Prayer: And the sound of a child
The prayer offered in Persian is exquisite. So is the child. - gw
On Getting the Hang Of It: Baha'i Views photo featured in a music video
It's great to have a photo I have taken (out of more than 50,000 on Flickr) featured in a music video. The photo is a locker room scene of Coach Matthew Salevao with members of the Tacoma Invaders semi-pro football team. -gw
On Prayer: Like climbing a ladder
At the University of Illinios Baha'i Club Reunion Ramin shared this wonderful reflection at the conclusion of our gathering. -gw
Monday, October 15, 2012
On Sockpuppets for Baha'i Teachers:
My question...
Dan in Vietnam has just posted this of a training for Baha'i children's class teachers (or are these for animators of junior youth?)
Dan's answer...
Prospective children's class teachers This was at a training session for youth that covered children's classes and JY groups; I was working with the children's class teachers. We shared strategies and spent a lot of time learning how to present the different activities that make up the classes. This segment combined crafts and drama; I posted another video a while ago of the "games" segment
Tt's all one work, isn't it -- this divine institute process -- whether in Ho Chi Minh or Tacoma. -gw
Friday, October 12, 2012
On A Good Sad Song: See the future in the tragic present
Elliott Smith has written a lot of sad songs
Baha'is are not afraid of sadness. In fact, they are invited to "see the future in the tragic present." Emotions happen, including sadness. Therapies are built around helping suffering souls to "make friends with their shadow side," and manage sadness, without fleeing from it, staring sadness straight in the eye. A good sad song does wonders sometimes for one's overall emotional state.. -gw
It is the right and privilege of organised humanity to hear of the Faith and the Plan of Bahá’u’lláh in these days, and in this holy duty to their fellow men the Bahá’ís must not fail whatever may be the sadness of their personal plight, for they alone can truly see the future in the tragic present, and possess hope and strength to go on with the spiritual battle for the victory of the New Day.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
On Kids Building Community: The power of service
This video evokes the spirit of the Eastisde Tacoma project, even though it chronicles activites on the other side of the country.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
On Dancing at District Convention: Clap, snap & thump
Our Baha'i District Convention was made festive, not only through lots of songs sung, such as the Clap Snap Thump song, but through music offered as ambiance-creator. Some of the friends couldn't help dancing. Video proof... -gw
Friday, October 05, 2012
On the Power of Song: Mauricio at children's class
The power of songs to teach was brought home to me while witnessing this Baha'i children's class. -gw
On a Magical Baha'i Children's Class: Sean's introduction to Baha'i community building
It was fun last Friday taking Sean to see Baha'i core activities on Tacoma's Eastside. It was his first exposure to what Baha'i are doing to build community. Most of our time we spent in the very apartment complex where he lived as a child. It was like a pilgrimage, he said. He got to visit with juinor youth Jessica about the children's class she teaches every week. He saw Joe and Maedeh gather together junior youth for group. He witnessed a magical Baha'i children's class given in Spanish. He saw the very best that Baha'i have to offer. He was moved. So was I. -gw
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
On the Sun of Reality is One Sun: But it has different dawning places
October has arrived, but the sunshine belies the season. What to do on a Sunday? Get in an alpine hike before the snow starts falling up in the mountains, or go paddling on the Sound. We chose the latter. -gw
The Sun of Reality is one Sun, but it has different dawning places, just as the phenomenal sun is one although it appears at various points of the horizon. During the time of summer the luminary of the physical world rises far to the north of the equinoctial, in spring and fall it dawns midway, and in winter it appears in the most southerly point of its zodiacal journey.
'Abdu'l-Baha
On Victories Being Won: On the field and through the Institute Process
Karen, Gilmar and Kim at the game
The UTYA Tigers football teams are having a steller year, especially the 7th graders. They're winning games, but more than than, they are building character and acquiring viurtues. Everywhere you look, on the field or off, you see participants in the Baha'i-inspired Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programs among the players, cheerleaders, and family members there to cheer on the team. It is so heartening to the see the progress that has been made through the Institute Proceess here in Tacoma. -gw
Eliza
Jaylen (providing water)
Dante (on the right), age 13, who with Tigers cheerleader Jessica, aged 14, conducts a children's class every Monday in the Salishan neighborhood
Saturday, September 22, 2012
On This Google Earth: Even as education and progress travel from West to East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West
Bonita's travels on Google earth have taken her to Scotland and Norway this week. -g
In very age of great spiritual darkness, a light is kindled in the East. So once again the light of the teachings of God has come unto you. Even as education and progress travel from West to East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West.September 22nd, 1911.
On Stages of Development: Knowledge applied to understanding our littler spiritual beings
Asean receiving tender care from his father Sean
Inherent in the Baha'i worldview is the idea of stages of development. I was talking with Sean at Tiger's practice about it the other day. From Abraham, to Moses, to Christ, to Mohammed, to the Bab, to Baha'u'llah, humanity has evolved spiritually. Knowledge of the developmental stages that children go through, when understood, opens the doors to promoting optimal development with our littler spiritual beings. -gw
Friday, September 14, 2012
On a Novel Addition In All Its Graphic Detail: I suddenly realized this was a very dynamic Faith
The first graphic novel by Baha'i Publishing. Pretty neat, huh! An excerpt from an interview with the author is below. -gw
+
+
+
+
As a kid, I couldn’t pay attention to any Baha’i classes. I was basically there to play and have fun. But something happened when our teachers started sharing Babi history- in all its graphic detail. I suddenly realized this was a very dynamic Faith. It was full of awesome heroism, terrible horror, and profound sacrifice. Stories of courage honor and valor beyond human capacity. Suddenly I felt the gravity of the Revelation. One so strong people cast their lives away like it was nothing. As I studied art later in life, I wanted this to be conveyed in a medium for youth and young adults. Something that would grip people and show them the power of the Faith through graphic novels.
+
On Ludi Johnson At 90: Still pioneering and, yes, she's on Facebook
There were many stories shared at the University of Illinois Baha'i Club reunion, naturally. I was able to capture many of them on video -- I have 175 video clips to savor, some of which I must share. Like these of Ludi Johnson. -gw
On The University of Illinois Baha'i Club Reunion: Oh yes, those were the days
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
George and Tink go way back
Ramin & Chuck
Group hug
Baha'i t-shirts quilt
Honoring Garreta
I had the bounty of going back in history last weekend. I attended a reunion of the University of Illinios Baha'i Club. Champaign-Urbana is where I first heard of the Faith in 1965 and where I declared my belief in Baha'u'llah in 1967. To see souls I haven't seen for 45 years gave a blessed jolt to my brain and tug on my emotions. The U of I Baha'i Club is one of the oldest Baha'i campus associations in the U.S. -gw
Circa 1965
Dancing back in the day
Thursday, September 13, 2012
On Being Visited By Mr Big Bot: Next time, sign the guestbook, OK?
While I was gone to Illinois and not checking my computer I was visited by a robot.
Internet bots, also known as web robots, WWW robots or simply bots, are software applications that run automated tasks over the Internet. Typically, bots perform tasks that are both simple and structurally repetitive, at a much higher rate than would be possible for a human alone.
Actually I am visited by one particular bot many times a day, one that goes by the name of "google.bot.com" in particular, according to my Baha'i Views Sitemeter statistics.
But someother mysterious bot visited my Flickr account and ran up my Flickr view counts for 9-7- and 9-8 astronomically. Whereas the average number of hits to Baha'i Views / Flitzy Phoebie on Flickr currently is around 2000 a day, on the 7th the actual number of hits was 17,748 and on the 8th 36,035. Every photo and video was visited 1 to 5 times. The net result was that my all-time view count advanced vigorously almost to the one and a half million mark.
I don't know what the bot was looking for. I trust there was no malevalent purpose. But, hey, next time Mr Big Bot, sign my guest book. OK? -gw
On Make Peace, Build Community: Making an effort
A family tries to get to know their neighbors on a regular basis in the newest video uploaded to the Baha'i National Center YouTube channel.-gw
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
On Strengthen Thy People: Whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in Thy dominion
The friends gathered for the Cluster Agencies Meeting (the CAM) were in a not so rare state. They were laughing their heads off much of the evening, as the video clip above proves. But they got it together and managed to sing an incredibly lovely rendition of an excerpt of a Baha'i prayer often said to support expansion efforts. -gw
I beg of Thee, by that Word through which Thy proof was perfected among Thy creatures and Thy testimony was fulfilled amidst Thy servants, to strengthen Thy people in that whereby the face of the Cause will radiate in Thy dominion, the standards of Thy power will be planted among Thy servants, and the banners of Thy guidance will be raised throughout Thy dominions.
Baha'u'llah, Baha'i Prayers
Monday, September 10, 2012
On Behavioral Sleep Techniques to Help Infants Sleep Better: The news gets out
Below is a link to a fascinating article that came out online five days ago. Maybe you are reading about this news for the first time here. The reality is that there are already 463 sites that are touting this information -- in just 5 days -- my Google search informs me. That is the power of the Internet. Science can inform parenting practices. There is tremendous curiosity about how to be effective with children. Infant mental health need not be considered an esoteric subject. Its truths are of interest to the general public. -gw
A new study by researchers from Murdoch Childrens Research Institute claims that "controlled comforting" and "camping out" (behavioral sleep technique) not only helps infants sleep better, it also reduces depression levels in mothers.
Researchers, who conducted the first ever study of its kind to have looked into the long term effects of these sleep techniques, say they are safe to be used in the long-term.
On Living the Life We Sing About: The tragic life of Amy Winehouse
If you love R&B and soul, you know about retro soul singer, Amy Winehouse. Her voice is compelling. Her story is tragic. Listen to her music and you are drawn right in. But her songs are hard to listen to because of the lyrical content. Hers is relationship music and you can see trouble coming in just about every song. People who live like the songs she sings suffer. There are laws of God. The spiritual laws of God are as real as the physical laws of God's universe. Ignore the laws and stuff happens. Lives can become unbearable.
As I am wont to say, quoting nationally recognized poet and Baha'i Robert Hayden in a World Order magazine from the 60's, there is art of affirmation and art of negation. There is a place for both. But some of artistic creations are positively toxic.
Did Amy Winehouse live like the songs she sang about? I don't know, I haven't researched her life, but I know she's gone.
Sometimes making a comparison is positively unfair. But when I think of the best of R&B/soul, I think of gems like "Wake Up Everbody." The songs of Amy Winehouse -- I pray for the progress of her soul -- are not in the same league as that Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes/Teddy Pendergrass wake-up call. -gw
Monday, September 03, 2012
On Distinguishing the Spring From the Autumn and Heat From Cold: The end of the camping season
It's not quite autumn yet, but the temperatures at night had us pulling the down comforters over us at our campsite at 4400 feet. We just got back from 3 days and two nights in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest three hours south of Tacoma. September camping is exquisite. Five years ago Bonita and I were up on both sides of the northern Cascades around this time, as this 2007 blog post on Flitzy Phoebie attests. We felt the nip of cold in the nighttime air that camping trip, too. I can distinguish heat from cold -- it was cold. -gw
Blackpine Lake
Diablo Lake
So great shall be the discernment of this seeker that he will discriminate between truth and falsehood even as he doth distinguish the sun from shadow. If in the uttermost corners of the East the sweet savours of God be wafted, he will assuredly recognize and inhale their fragrance, even though he be dwelling in the uttermost ends of the West. He will likewise clearly distinguish all the signs of God—His wondrous utterances, His great works, and mighty deeds—from the doings, words and ways of men, even as the jeweller who knoweth the gem from the stone, or the man who distinguisheth the spring from autumn and heat from cold.
On Hairdressers As Natural Helpers: A Baha'i Views post from 2006
Baha'i study circles are an integral part of Baha'i life. I have been posting on their significance for as long as I have been doing this blog. It will be seven years this coming January.
Read the rest of the story, the original post in its entirety here. -gw
http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com/2006/09/on-hairdressers-as-natural-helpers-she.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
