in the mail today- kalimba!

should prove to be a great traveling instrument this winter!

kalimba beatbox (WHOA!!!):

'i'd like to meet you'

phenomal woman

Can I just start by saying, one thing that I am not ok with is women putting themselves down. Or women putting other women down. There is enough of that in the world already. Be proud (but humble)! You were created in God's image and His work is perfect!

Maya Angelou is an incredible light! Her story is inspiring. She wrote the poem Life Doesn't Frighten Me at a young age. Such a phenomenal woman, strong and warm. I love her!

She gave birth to one son, but considers all girls around the world her daughters! Here she introduces here book Letter to my Daughter:




THIS IS GREAT:
Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

-Maya Angelou

autumn dreams

in desperate need of a forest fix,
L

tender

sometimes my heart feel so softened, happy, and tender that i can be easily brought to tears. i feel that now. i had such a great evening reading and discussing the Baha'i writings and i feel like gushing.

this keeps resonating in my mind/heart/soul:

"In the highest prayer, men pray only for the love of God, not because they fear Him or hell, or hope for bounty or heaven. ... When a man falls in love with a human being, it is impossible for him to keep from mentioning the name of his beloved. How much more difficult is it to keep from mentioning the Name of God when one has come to love Him. ... The spiritual man finds no delight in anything save in commemoration of God."

-`Abdu'l-Bahá


i believe love and prayer are the two greatest and sweetest powers in this world.

celebrate!

a strong woman:
is compassionate, posses a heart that overflows with love, comforts, is selfless, stands up for herself or others when they are being treated unfairly, loves herself because she is God's creation and His work is perfect.

the brotherhood of man

"Let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path."

~'Abdu'l-Baha', Paris talks, p.16



"Be in perfect unity. Never become angry with one another. … Humanity is not perfect. There are imperfections in every human being, and you will always become unhappy if you look toward the people themselves. But if you look toward God, you will love them and be kind to them, for the world of God is the world of perfection and complete mercy. Therefore, do not look at the shortcomings of anybody; see with the sight of forgiveness. The imperfect eye beholds imperfections. … You must love and be kind to everybody, care for the poor, protect the weak, heal the sick, teach and educate the ignorant."

~ Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 92



people are beautiful! they should be listened to. understood. celebrated!
our lives are so interconnected.
i always look forward to the weekly devotional at our place, because we all share that feeling. our hearts, our souls, reaching out.