Tag Archives children

Linking Motherhood, Service, and Happiness

Baha'i Life 4 Comments

Motherhood is described in the Baha’i Writings as a vital and elevated role. Being a mother is a noble aspiration and undertaking. Abdu’l-Baha tells us:

O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God’s sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined.

In honor of Mother’s Day in North America, and based on an online course called “Embracing a Spiritual Identity of Motherhood” we recently gave through the Wilmette Institute, we’ve been reflecting on the role of motherhood and its links to service and true happiness.  Continue reading →

How Marriage Consciously Creates a Better Future

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Horns honk, text messages ding, there’s a new deadline to meet, college assignment to complete, a relative needing attention, a service commitment to carry out, or sadness to process with a friend who just got divorced. Our minds get so full of noise that becoming conscious of something can be difficult. I find it takes me a lot of quiet, alone time to even focus on something for a short time.

I recently re-read a quotation that I’ve read countless times before, and the phrase “acutely conscious” struck me. The passage relates to how young people can consciously create a better future, but I think it’s worth everyone’s time and attention. The Universal House of Justice tells us (the bolding is mine):  Continue reading →

Who Is Family? A Reflection on Courtesy and Respect

Baha'i Life 1 Comment

The Baha’i Faith teaches us that humanity is all one family. However, thankfully they don’t all come over for holiday dinners, call at all hours on the phone, or get annoyed when you forget their birthday! Yet Abdu’l-Baha tells us:

God has created the world as one–the boundaries are marked out by man. God has not divided the lands… That is why Baha’u’llah says: ‘Let not a man glory in that he loves his country, but that he loves his kind.’ All are of one family, one race; all are human beings.

Continue reading →

“The Life of Baha’u’llah”: A New Children’s Book by Melissa Charepoo

Books 2 Comments

Amidst the outpouring of creativity inspired by the Bicentenary anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah is a new book for children by Melissa Charepoo all about the life of Baha’u’llah. You may remember her from her colourful children’s books for Ayyam-i-Ha, the Fast and Naw-Ruz. In this new 72-page book filled with elegant drawings, Melissa chronologically outlines the events of Baha’u’llah’s life from His Birth to His Ascension through short stories and explanations of Baha’i concepts. The book also includes a family tree, a timeline, maps, and a glossary. It’s a fantastic and beautiful resource! Continue reading →

“Light of Unity” Dinner Party Booklet for the Bicentenary

Books, Resources 1 Comment

There are so many great initiatives and resources coming to life as a result of all the excitement and efforts of thousands of Baha’is across the globe as they prepare to celebrate this very special time which marks the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith.

One of those initiatives that recently grabbed my attention is the “Light of Unity” Dinner Party Booklet, which Baha’is can use in 2017 and 2019 to host dinner parties in celebration of the bicentenary anniversaries of the Births of the Bab and Baha’u’llah.

Joyce Litoff, a member of the US Baha’i Office of Communications and editor of the “Light of Unity” booklet agreed to answer some questions about the booklet and this project:  Continue reading →

‘Women Who Changed the World’: Biographical Stories of Inspiring Women

Art & Creative Works, Resources 1 Comment

Perhaps you’ve already heard Sarah Perceval’s enchanting voice. She has recorded several story-telling audio collections such as Ancient Beauty: Stories from the Life of Baha’u’llah, The Bag of Jewels: A Sparkling Collection of Wisdom Stories Celebrating the Virtues, The Master: Stories of Abdu’l-Baha for Children, and Illumined Youth: Stories of Spiritual Transformation. Her latest project is an album of stories called Women Who Changed the World: Biographical Stories of Inspiring Women. Interwoven with music by Kelly Snook, these audio stories share glimpses of the lives of 10 women from various corners of the world who changed our world for the better — they include Tahirih, Florence Nightingale, and Rosa Parks.

I often get to ask musicians about their albums and their creative processes, but this is my first time interviewing a storyteller. Here’s what Sarah shared with me:  Continue reading →

Stories of Baha’u’llah

Books, History 20 Comments

A view of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah in Bahji, Israel. (Photo: courtesy of Chad Mauger)

In honour of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, I have been reflecting on my personal connection to Him. Shoghi Effendi described Baha’u’llah with these towering words:

preeminent in holiness, awesome in the majesty of His strength and power, unapproachable in the transcendent brightness of His glory.

There are many ways to connect the heart with Baha’u’llah and to begin to understand Shoghi Effendi’s words. For example, you can read and reflect on Baha’u’llah’s Writings, study the events of His life, or cherish stories about Him.  Continue reading →

A Letter of Appreciation for all Parents

Baha'i Life 3 Comments

Dear Parent,

Did you know that June 1st has been designated the International Day to celebrate YOU? Although I’d like to call it the “Global day of Validation and Appreciation for Awesome Parents”, the official title is the “UN Global Day of Parents”:

The Global Day provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents in all parts of the world for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.

Selfless commitment.

Lifelong sacrifice.

And before you jump into thinking, “But am I really making a selfless effort? Am I really sacrificing enough?”, can we be real for a moment?

This is no easy job. Abdu’l-Baha says: Continue reading →

A Conversation on Ayyam-i-Ha

Baha'i Life, Holy Days 8 Comments

As a child, there was always something magical in the anticipation of the days of Ayyam-i-Ha. Whilst each of the nineteen months of the Baha’i year reflects one of the attributes of God, these “Days of Ha”, that exist “outside of time”, signify the essence of God that transcends all of His attributes, and there is truly something mysterious and mystical about these special days.  Continue reading →

The ABC’s of Parenting

Baha'i Life, Opinion 6 Comments

asian parent playing with baby girl in livingroomWe know in the Baha’i Writings that mothers are the first educators of the children:

To the mothers must be given the divine Teachings and effective counsel, and they must be encouraged and made eager to train their children, for the mother is the first educator of the child… So long as the mother faileth to train her children, and start them on a proper way of life, the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect.

But new mothers are often overwhelmed at knowing where to start, particularly when they haven’t had good role models to follow. Fortunately there is lots of guidance in the Writings to take us back to basics!

Let’s start with the ABC’s! Continue reading →