When Four Days Turn to One

March 13 to 16, Days 13 to 16

"Are you getting sick?"

"No?"

"Your nose seems stuffed up."

"No...I don't think so...maybe...probably...yes."

That is the conversation I had a couple days ago with my wife. The denial is clear.

The last four days have been a blur of work, sick and fasting when I can. It's been a time to reflect and to continue some level of restrain while eating.

I've fielded a few questions from friends and realized there may be more about fasting and what it's all about. If you have questions feel free to ask in the comments or message me. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability keeping in mind the guidance will come from the Baha'i Writings. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only, or of those who submitted, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend go right to the source. A good resource is a Baha'i Teachings website.

Getting Inspired

March 12, Day 12

In an effort at some self-reflection and search for spiritual inspiration I came across this quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, who was the founder of the Baha'i Faith. Enjoy.

"Fortunate are ye to have obeyed the commandment of God, and kept this fast during the holy season. For this material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast; it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God."

I enjoy the landscapes of the prairies. The little churches that dot the countryside make for great backdrops. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only, or of those who submitted, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend go right to the source. A good resource is a Baha'i Teachings website.

Losing Yourself in the Slowness of the Day

March 11 Day 11

When slowing down becomes the idea opportunity for reflection. 

Today is a wonderful submission by Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi, video guru and music knowledge wizard of Nur Films. He's a creative genius. 

"Outside of trying to focus my fast on more spiritual thoughts than ones generated by my hunger, the one thing that I can’t fail to notice, daily, almost hourly, is how the fast slows down time.

Physiologically I understand it. As the day progresses there are less calories in my system, so my movements become slower, the brakes in between my actions linger slightly longer. The slowness of time might be merely a perception caused by my temporary denial of physical sustenance, but its effect on me goes far past a mere side effect.  

I guess it’s how you choose to look at things, and I often fail to find the silver in the lining, but the moments that I can, make the fast the most worthwhile endeavor. The moments where I loose myself in the slowness of the day are when my thoughts seem to always remind me of how lucky I am to be where I am.  

It’s during the slowest moments where I feel the most blessed, the most unworthy, the most overwhelmed by my fortune of opportunity. "

Here's Ramin's photo and description: 

This is my work station; it is not much but the view is the best I have ever had at any workstation. The view is of the back alley and yard of my house. Its an urban landscape facing the backs of other buildings but there are a few trees, and in those trees are a few squares. These squirrels keep me company with their frenzy and acrobatics during my fasting days. They know a spring is coming as do I.

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only, or of those who submitted, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend go right to the source. A good resource is a Baha'i Teachings website

Humble Pie

March 10, Day 10

There's nothing quite like eating your own words. 

On day 7 I made the statement that somehow I was able to get through a tough deadline while fasting. Fast forward to today (you're reading this on the 11th but check the date marker Marty) and I get not one, but two calls about names of people I had incorrectly in the newspaper. 

Our little newspaper is a hub of conversation in the community and when you make mistakes it's in plain daylight for everyone to read.

Granted the first error was due in part to the folks who provided the names but certainly there's some way I could have double checked. The second error is kind of hilarious. I got the names right but had the wrong people attached to the names. 

You can imagine how many people pointed it out. 

And so there is a lesson for me that sometimes while quick decisions can be important, sometimes you just gotta slow down and double check your work. 

Self portrait.

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend go right to the source. A good resource is a Baha'i Teachings website

Fasting Yet Eating

March 9, Day 9

The last couple of days I have been nursing a cold and because of that have not been fasting. 

Whenever I get sick during the fast I hit a major personal stumbling block: what now? I get so fixated on the physical side of the fast I forget it's spiritual in nature. This is a good sign of how much I love to eat, or really, how attached I am to eating. 

The fasting period is still here though and the spiritual side is within reach. It really comes down to this: being able to practice restraint on a physical level helps develop those spiritual muscles. That is where I need to focus my energy. 

Shooting basketball can be fun but can also be a lot of the same types of shots. Looking for something different creates an exciting challenge. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend go right to the source. A good resource is a Baha'i Teachings website. 

Blast From the Past

March 8, Day 8

There is something inspiring about another perspective on such a personal experience that is the Baha'i Fast. 

Today's post is from my Botswana sister, and truthfully she and her family are like an extension of mine, or we are an extension of them. Today my sister-from-another-mother, Thato B. C. Molefi, provides wonderful insight into her experience of the fast. 

"I grew up at my grandparents' farm in Barolong Farms, Botswana. This time of the year the brown, juicy and sweet Moretlwa berries summon passersby to pick and enjoy the bush produce. My sister was not on this trip so I thought to be considerate and bring her a "blast from the past."On a visit to the farm during this Fasting period I did what my childhood years taught me - to pick Moretlwa berries. Having collected a sizeable amount, my hand instinctively made its journey to my mouth, but it FROZE in front of my wide open mouth, as I instantly remembered that I was fasting, and the sun had not yet set!Another experience of detachment was at play."

If you don't know anything about Moretlwa berries I recommend you take a trip to Botswana and have a taste for yourself. They're awesome. Photos courtesy of Thato B. C. Molefi. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend you go right to the source. A good resource is this Baha'i Teachings website. 

When Your Eyes Get All Blurry and Whatnot

March 7, Day 7 

Some say the best way to get a writer to complete an assignment is to give them a deadline. 

I'm no writer but that's not what my job description says and so every Monday is a blur of writing, editing photos and getting copy to the editor for review before it makes it to the newspaper. 

Today - or yesterday since I post this a day later - was a complete blur of all of the above three actions. It's hard to describe a newspaper production deadline unless you have experienced it, or something like it. 

You have little time for thought as you file your work and move on to complete the next assignment. There can be no hesitancy in the decision-making process otherwise the timeline suffers. I don't know about other journalists but most times I look at the information presented to me and what I've researched and I move. It's as simple as that. 

The fast adds the element or distraction of being hungry. By three or four in the afternoon those mental muscles are tired. It takes everything I've got to stay focused. 

 

There was some definite maneuvering of brain resources and food store allocations to make it through the day. What surprised me the most - and I'm sure the next time will be a different challenge - was being able to be disciplined mentally to get the job done. It was a plus one point and it felt good. 

While looking for an interesting image for today an accidental mis-focus during a basketball game captured the tension on fans' faces. Their faces say it all about the intensity of it all. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend you go right to the source. A good resource is this Baha'i Teachings website. 

Grace Under Fire

March 6, Day 6, 

Is it possible to be grateful for a major personal test in your life?

This question came up during a conversation with a friend of mine. How can you be grateful when the world around you is blowing up? I'm not sure I have the answer but I'll tell you now, the times I have tried to put that into practice has been mind-altering. 

When there is reason to be angry at the world, or person, there is no better feeling than to follow through with that anger. 

The few times I went against those feelings did, actually, result in a more positive outcome but I tell you now, it took a force of will. 

It wasn't until having this discussion that I realized I was grateful for the fast on Day 3. Right after the sunset I was able to enjoy a cup of water and I had gratitude at being able to drink it, but deeper inside, I was thankful for the test to push myself to do better, 

It's an odd juxtaposition. 

It's an equally challenging proposition when the tests get serious. My test of the fast is a small one and I salute those who are able to have that grace under fire during tough times. 

The one thing I can say for sure is support from friends or family is essential to making it through to the other side and can been a true boost for the spirit.

(I should note that there is also something to be said for stress release; smashing a broken printer to bits does feel pretty good.) 

Enjoyed a fantastic day at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton with some friends. If I had more time I would have enjoyed taking pictures there all day. A beautiful location. 

The opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend you go right to the source. A good resource is this Baha'i Teachings website. 

When Trepidation Loses

March 5, Day 5

My laptop is in a most-unfortunate location as I type this. 

I have two trains of thought right now: 

• People are more inclined to discuss spirituality than they admit. 
• Being so vocal about the fast has brought strong support from my friends and family. 

The reality of the latter has always been a big surprise for me. Fear of discussing the fast has been a big challenge and my trepidation could be due in part to having to follow through with my obligations. It could also be because of some self-imposed embarrassment about discussing something of a spiritual nature. 

What? You mean now I have to explain what I'm doing and the purpose behind it? 

And yet when I do bring up the fast -- it happens a lot because you'd be surprised how much food is involved in our lives -- serious or thoughtful discussion is provoked. People of all beliefs and philosophies want to throw their thoughts in on it. And it turns out I love discussing it. 

Plus the support. People are vocal and want to reinforce what I'm doing. It also raises questions on the benefits of fasting. Hearing there is no eating or drinking during the daylight hours does raise some eyebrows, which is not a bad thing. 

Talking about the challenges and the benefits helps clarify the point of the fast for me too. It's a learning process, if you're familiar with my personality you'll know learning and growth is not my forte. 

As for the discussion of spirituality I am still working that in my head. More to come on that unless there's something you want to add to it. Feel free to message me or comment if so inclined. 

At some point there was going to be a cat picture in here. It's mandatory. 

As always the opinions and views expressed in this blog are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any institution of the Baha’i Faith. I recommend you go right to the source. A good resource is this Baha'i Teachings website.