Day 5 - Maintenance

While the Baha'i Faith is still in its infancy, artistic inspiration from the spirit of the faith is growing.

I find the fast, while difficult, provides some inspiration to me and I think other Baha'is. They are expressing their spiritual inspiration in their art and showing it to the world. 

They are writing about the fast and telling millions of their story: Actor Rainn Wilson gave his perspective on being a Baha'i and fasting to Huffington Post last year.  

Others take pictures. I have been so inspired by the photo blog called Nineteen Days. I found out about contributors who take a photo at sunrise and sunset. It's a great daily blog and wonderful to view. 

As for me, this is the second day I have been sick and an internal struggle seems to be making its way in my brain. 

That's part of my challenge though. Keeping the focus of the spiritual purpose of the fast happens whether or not I am eating.
This quote from Abdu'l-Baha's grandson Shoghi Effendi clears it up and I will do my best to remember it.

"Regarding your question concerning the Fast: Travellers are exempt from fasting, but if they want to fast while they are travelling, they are free to do so. You are exempt the whole period of your travel, not just the hours you are in a train or car, etc. If one eats unconsciously during the fasting hours, this is not breaking the Fast as it is an accident. The age limit is 70 years, but if one desires to fast after the age limit is passed, and is strong enough to, one is free to do so. If during the Fast period a person falls ill and is unable to fast, but recovers before the Fast period is over, he can start to fast again and continue until the end. Of course the Fast, as you know, can only be kept during the month set aside for that purpose."

I'm not exactly sure why I like taking pictures of windows and doors so much. It's like a metaphor of some window to the soul or something like that.