Random Realizations...

No longer a blonde is not equal to no longer clumsy.

The more I like a t.v. show, the greater its chance of being prematurely cancelled and completely underappreciated by all "Neilson families". {ie. Firefly, My So Called Life...}. Consequently I think that I should be consulted more often - is there such a thing as an Entertainment Value Barometer? I think I could do that.

Image credit.

It is almost impossible for me to walk seriously (vs. casually) and eat.

Hiding your availability status on g-chat is lame. There, I said it.

>br>Am I crazy, or have street fashion blogs suddenly become uber predictable and highly commercial?

Anyhow, that's all I've got now... I'll try to be more focused & less critical next time.

Upon Further Reflection...

I think of myself as a somewhat awkward person - I'm a bit clumsy, if you will. If there's a wall to be walked into, I will find it; likewise the crack in the sidewalk that lies in wait for unsuspecting people to trip up. I have mastered (equally well, I might add) the awkward silence and its opposite: the unintelligent babble meant to mask silence that somehow just makes everything more uncomfortable.

But I've been reflecting and meditating on grace. Grace in all its meanings: elegance of movement, polite good will (okay, maybe I haven't thought about this definition so much), and the unearned favor of God. I was particularly thinking of the latter definition and how God's grace pours continually on us - whether or not we're prepared to receive it.

[For example, if you wish to feel the rain on your face, but insist on looking at the ground... it doesn't mean it's not raining - it means you haven't placed yourself in such a way as to feel it on your face.]

So then I got to thinking about what it is to be graceful. And I am. Now I just need to figure out how to manifest it more consciously!

Dear DHD... sorry for the half-formed and corny than usual (even for me) pun. I hope you're enjoying your family time, pilgrimage & pow wows, respectively.

Globalization...

Bahá'u'lláh said that "the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens". The verity of this becomes more obvious every day - just think of the number of people you communicate with, or share interests and beliefs with. It's truly mind blowing.
So I know that it's cliche - but let's try this experiment (particularly during the warm & fuzzy 'holiday' season): think globally and act locally.
If the whole world is one giant community: friends, family, colleagues, etc. why don't we try to really make an effort to know our neighbors? I'm sure many of you already do - 3 cheers for that - but let's take it to a new level. Let's raise our consciousness - talk about the world, how to make it more positive, more spiritual, how to create a relationship with God.

Go on. Try. Try it together. It's good for you.
Image credit.

Requiem For A Big Bird...

Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you.

This year my friends and adopted family serving at the Bahá'í World Centre are celebrating Thanksgiving on Saturday. I know it's a little untraditional - and there won't be any (gasp!) 'Black Friday' sales {hmmm. Meant to somehow and magically propel retail stores into the black? Must think about this...} - but we'll be together and thankful. We'll even have a turkey!

In all seriousness, though, I love you very much. I'll be with you in spirit!

One Fine Day...

21 November 2009 :: 'Akká and surrounding environs, Israel

Sunset :: Bahjí
same same

Bahjí

I had the opportunity to visit two Bahá'í Holy Places this weekend in 'Akká... the weather was perfect - complete with peaceful meditation. It was like a spiritual vacation.

All photos courtesy Sholeh Magzub. I know... and yes, all of my friends really are this talented. Sigh. Lucky me!

With Power Comes Responsibility...

When I went to Europe in February, I happily chanced upon Douglas Coupland. Since this time, I've read several of his books and consistently found him to be pithy and timely with his social commentary.

Last night before water polo practice I was reading a little out of Micro-Serfs. The following passage really struck me. The main character is talking about his boss (of sorts… they work in a start-up)

“[…]I have been thinking about it, and I realize that Ethan has fallen prey to The Vacuum. He mistakes the reward as the goal; he does not realize that there is a deeper aim and an altruistic realm of technology’s desire. He is lost. He does not connect privilege with responsibility; wealth with morality.”

It's interesting to consider just how truly awesome the world wide web is - and I think that it, of all of history's myriad technological advances, has the ability to transcend being simply a tool. Specifically, I think that we need to move away from thinking in terms of "guns don't kill people, people kill people" - to use a cliched example....

Thoughts?

Officially In Recovery...

So there have been some jokes lately (or for the last few years) that I'm waspish about certain things. Like my personal space. For the record, I don't think of myself as a WASP(B) - in fact, I think of myself as a very warm and demonstrative person. ...maybe just not physically.

As a result of my love of personal space, I've perfected the side hug. Alas, it's sort of a knee-jerk reaction now. So I'm in recovery.
This doesn't mean I'm hugging strangers - but I'll be trying this hugging thing. Starting with high fives, naturally......

Image: Steve Powers, courtesy My Love For You Is a Stampede of Horses