indian summer

as the weather has been getting warmer, i have been slowly become more and more restless. every year around this time, my body starts craving the summer. the warmth of the sun on bare shoulders. the smell of the outdoors. the cool breeze that helps make the humidity more bearable. the feel of bare feet outdoors. barbecues and bonfires. ice cream all the time. the smell of chlorine and the refreshing coolness of the pool. the glow of lightning bugs. the freedom and spontaneity.

places that are calling my name:
yosemite. bosch. maine. st. simon's island. tree houses. north carolina. tennessee. kusadasi. venice. london. hawaii.

lucky

i have the most wonderful, beautiful, supportive and inspiring friends. and this week was full of special interactions. from immense laughter that has yet to fade last sunday, to meaningful discussions with my bestest on tuesday, to the beautiful mix of laughter and seriousness and comfort that i will never tire of with diane and elyse on thursday, to the joy that a certain couple and their precious daughter brings to my heart on friday.

so thankful.

:)

mis.communication

my family has always failed at communication. i'm sure this has played a role in my becoming great at listening and horrible at being heard.

in other news: i'm tired of making decisions with other people's interests in mind. it's about time i focus on myself. and not in the selfish way, because if there is one thing i can't stand, it's when people make decisions and take actions with only themselves in mind.

I want to tell you that most of the nation and the majority of the people are in perfect ignorance. They are trying night and day to do something to destroy the foundation of man. There are among them political fights and wars. There are conflicts and disturbances. Every day they are inventing new instruments for the destruction of human life. There are among them also religious disputes and conflicts and disputes of patriotism. You hardly find two men between whom there is real harmony and sympathy.

Now you must do your best, so that you may be able to remove all these conflicts and disputes. You will change this darkness into light; you will change this hatred and menace into love and harmony, because your aim is a glorious one.

It is sure you will have to endure many difficulties in this Cause and that great obstacles will come before you. You will have many hindrances. But you must confront all and you must endure all these difficulties.

You must give up all differences among you--differences of opinion--and work for the same aim. You must be qualified with divine attributes, so that the Word of God may assist you, so that the bounties of God may descend upon you. And know that without the help of the Holy Spirit you will not be able to do this. And the magnetism of the Word of God is sincerity of intention. And until you are entirely severed from yourself and emptied of yourself, you will never be sincere enough.

You must entirely sacrifice yourself. You must close your eyes to all rest. You must give up even your happiness and your enjoyments so that you may be able to do this.

It is true that you will be blamed very much and you will have some difficulties and troubles. It is sure that people will show enmity toward you, and it is possible your own relatives even will try to oppose you. But you must be firm. And if you will be firm and steadfast, be sure that you will become victorious. You will be the cause of the union of the world of humanity.

As Christ said to a rich man: 'Go, and give all you have, and take up your cross and come and be My follower.' This saying of Christ's indicates that unless one is free from everything, one cannot be a real follower of Christ.

--'Abdu'l-Baha

broken-winged bird

it's been a long time since i was as broken as i was last week. last week was so full of tears and making difficult decisions that i pray i will not regret for the rest of my life. but my hopes are high that in the end, i made the right decision.

"...Life never gives us what we want at the moment that we consider appropriate. Adventures do occur, but not punctually." --E.M. Forster

sadly, my important decision-making is not yet over. so please pray that i will be able to make the right ones with clarity and in a wise and timely manner.

this week has been a breath of fresh air so far. and next week looks to be the same. full of cousins, learning new british phrases, laughter, delicious food, baby showers and bridal showers. thank you.


O God! O God! This is a broken-winged bird and his flight is very slow--assist him so that he may fly toward the apex of prosperity and salvation, wing his way with the utmost joy and happiness throughout the illimitable space...
--'Abdu'l-Baha