Fidál (Grace), 17 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Tuesday, February 23, 2010 about 5:05 PM Pacific Time
As I suggested in an earlier post, it seems I have an orchard of lemon trees planted in my backyard. This is figurative, of course, because my backyard isn't big enough for more then one tree. The lemon trees refer to tests and difficulties, which occur to help a person develop spiritual attributes.
My mother is 88 years old; she was born March 19, 1921 on a little farm in Oklahoma. I am 63 years old; I was born on December 24, 1946 in a hospital room in Blackwell, Oklahoma. My mother and I live in the same house in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yes, I am 63 years old and I still live with my mother.
Mom has several physical issues that require her to take daily medication. In some ways, Mom is still capable of taking care of herself. She can get in and out of the bathtub by herself, most days she fixes at least one of her own meals. Mom doesn't drive, so I take her where she needs or wants to go. In addition, she has short-term memory problems.
Recently Mom's doctor diagnosed her with mild or the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The doctor put her on a generic medication that appears to be working. There are other issues beside the Alzheimer's. I am my mother's caregiver. I never envisioned this job for myself. It has also taught me a lot about myself and has strengthened my faith in God.
Showing posts with label test and difficulties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label test and difficulties. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Making Lemonade – Part 1
Jamál (Beauty), 15 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 21, 2010 about 1:03 PM Pacific Time
Life isn't easy and I don't think it's meant to be easy because in this world we develop spiritual attributes. These spiritual attributes cloth a person's soul (spirit) when the physical body dies and the soul ascends to the next world. Each individual encounters tests and difficulties during his or her lifetime in this world. These tests and difficulties help strengthen the spiritual attributes, which go with the soul when it separates from the physical body.
Sometimes it seems instead of encountering one test or difficulty at a time a person encounters an entire orchard of them. I'm walking through one of those orchards of test and difficulties now. I suspect I have an entire orchard of lemon trees (figuratively) planted in my backyard, so the only thing I can do now is make lemonade.
Sometimes I feel it's almost too much to deal with, but I don't think God tests a person beyond his or her capabilities. I think the best way to deal with this orchard of tests and difficulties is to take one tree (one test) at a time, which explains the title of this post. Over the next few day/weeks, I'm going to be looking at some of these test and difficulties on individual basis, all of which concern conditions many people confront at present or will confront in the near future.
Life isn't easy and I don't think it's meant to be easy because in this world we develop spiritual attributes. These spiritual attributes cloth a person's soul (spirit) when the physical body dies and the soul ascends to the next world. Each individual encounters tests and difficulties during his or her lifetime in this world. These tests and difficulties help strengthen the spiritual attributes, which go with the soul when it separates from the physical body.
Sometimes it seems instead of encountering one test or difficulty at a time a person encounters an entire orchard of them. I'm walking through one of those orchards of test and difficulties now. I suspect I have an entire orchard of lemon trees (figuratively) planted in my backyard, so the only thing I can do now is make lemonade.
Sometimes I feel it's almost too much to deal with, but I don't think God tests a person beyond his or her capabilities. I think the best way to deal with this orchard of tests and difficulties is to take one tree (one test) at a time, which explains the title of this post. Over the next few day/weeks, I'm going to be looking at some of these test and difficulties on individual basis, all of which concern conditions many people confront at present or will confront in the near future.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tests, Difficulties and Dentures
Jalál (Glory), 9 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Saturday, October 24, 2009 about 2:24 PM Pacific Time
I found out long ago that life is full of tests and difficulties, which assist in the development of my soul. These tests and difficulties help me develop spiritual attributes. These tests and difficulties come in expected and unexpected ways.
I never expected to encounter difficulties with my dentures. The problem I have is the denture adhesive; I have not found a denture adhesive I can use. I have to accept the possibility that I may not be able to use safely any type of adhesive to hold my dentures. If that is the case, I am going to have to learn to use my dentures without an adhesive.
The problems I am having with my dentures is to help me develop a spiritual attribute. I am not sure which spiritual attribute, but probably persistence. I still have a couple of different types of denture adhesives to try. I am also learning how to eat again; I am learning to chew my food slowly. One advantage of chewing slowly is enjoying the taste of the food.
I found out long ago that life is full of tests and difficulties, which assist in the development of my soul. These tests and difficulties help me develop spiritual attributes. These tests and difficulties come in expected and unexpected ways.
I never expected to encounter difficulties with my dentures. The problem I have is the denture adhesive; I have not found a denture adhesive I can use. I have to accept the possibility that I may not be able to use safely any type of adhesive to hold my dentures. If that is the case, I am going to have to learn to use my dentures without an adhesive.
The problems I am having with my dentures is to help me develop a spiritual attribute. I am not sure which spiritual attribute, but probably persistence. I still have a couple of different types of denture adhesives to try. I am also learning how to eat again; I am learning to chew my food slowly. One advantage of chewing slowly is enjoying the taste of the food.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The idea is to focus
Kamál (Perfection), 4 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 166 BE – Monday, October 19, 2009 about 1:27 PM Pacific Time
I have a lot of work to do in the next few days. Therefore, I am going to have to focus on the moment. Whatever I am working on at the moment is the focus. I get interrupted about every five minutes or less, so focusing is becoming difficult.
All right, this is my own fault. I am behind and have to catch up, therefore, I get interrupted more. The farther behind I am the more interruptions occur. The closer a deadline is the more interruptions occur. I suspect it might be a law of the universe or at least one of Murphy's Laws.
When interruptions occur I can ignore them, put them off and deal with the issue later, or deal with the issue immediately. Lately, the interruptions are the type I have to deal with immediately. Perhaps this is part of the process of transformation or dealing with tests and difficulties.
I have a lot of work to do in the next few days. Therefore, I am going to have to focus on the moment. Whatever I am working on at the moment is the focus. I get interrupted about every five minutes or less, so focusing is becoming difficult.
All right, this is my own fault. I am behind and have to catch up, therefore, I get interrupted more. The farther behind I am the more interruptions occur. The closer a deadline is the more interruptions occur. I suspect it might be a law of the universe or at least one of Murphy's Laws.
When interruptions occur I can ignore them, put them off and deal with the issue later, or deal with the issue immediately. Lately, the interruptions are the type I have to deal with immediately. Perhaps this is part of the process of transformation or dealing with tests and difficulties.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Persistence pays off
Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Kalimát (Words), 166 BE – Friday, July 17, 2009 about 8:14 AM Pacific Time
Persistence pays off! I spent the entire morning attempting to make post to my blogs. The connection is slow this morning and when I went to save a draft or publish the post it didn't work. I think the problem is a combination of the weather and a telephone hook-up to my Internet provider. I'm going to have to get DSL there is just no getting around it.
It took me two hours to make one entry to another blog and it appears I'm going to have the same difficulty making this entry. That's all right, eventually I will get the entry posted I just have to be persistent. I can't let difficulty with my connect stop me from making a post.
This experience is a transformative experience. Transformation is the reason a person encounters tests and difficulties. If it weren't for tests and difficulties neither human beings nor civilazation would advance.
Persistence pays off! I spent the entire morning attempting to make post to my blogs. The connection is slow this morning and when I went to save a draft or publish the post it didn't work. I think the problem is a combination of the weather and a telephone hook-up to my Internet provider. I'm going to have to get DSL there is just no getting around it.
It took me two hours to make one entry to another blog and it appears I'm going to have the same difficulty making this entry. That's all right, eventually I will get the entry posted I just have to be persistent. I can't let difficulty with my connect stop me from making a post.
This experience is a transformative experience. Transformation is the reason a person encounters tests and difficulties. If it weren't for tests and difficulties neither human beings nor civilazation would advance.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Slowly I Emerge from My Cocoon
Fidál (Grace), 10 Kalimat (Words), 165 BE – Tuesday, July 22, 2008 about 4:13 AM PDT
Slowly I emerge from my cocoon, writing about the process of transformation both on and off line. In my off line journal, I write letters to the eternal beloved. I write letter to the Glory of God recording the changes that occur in my thought processes and opinions about myself.
The process of transformation is the process of becoming my true self. The process of transformation is difficult for both my soul and my ego. My ego must move beyond itself and accept my eternal soul as its partner in this life.
My human ego does not see beyond the wants and the needs of the body housing it and the soul. I am a dual natured creature, with both a body and a soul. My soul, sometimes referred to as my spirit survives my body. In the next world, my soul has only the spiritual attributes it has developed in this life. Those attributes go with my soul when it passes into the next world.
During the process of transformation, my soul develops these spiritual attributes during a series of tests, tests meant to strengthen those divine attributes that my soul possesses. My soul is a gift from God and created in the image of God. That is my soul is a divine creation and has spiritual characteristics such as faith, love, creativity, etc. My soul must develop these attributes must be developed soul is living in this world.
In order for these attributes to develop, a series of tests and difficulties confront me and help my soul to use and strengthen these divine characteristics. My ego bulks because it does not want to consider anything beyond the wants and needs of the body. However, the soul knows that these tests and difficulties are for its own good and assist it in emerging from the cocoon of matter in which those attributes are developed and strengthened like the wings of a butterfly.
NOTE: These paragraphs explain my understanding of the process of transformation at this time in my life.
Slowly I emerge from my cocoon, writing about the process of transformation both on and off line. In my off line journal, I write letters to the eternal beloved. I write letter to the Glory of God recording the changes that occur in my thought processes and opinions about myself.
The process of transformation is the process of becoming my true self. The process of transformation is difficult for both my soul and my ego. My ego must move beyond itself and accept my eternal soul as its partner in this life.
My human ego does not see beyond the wants and the needs of the body housing it and the soul. I am a dual natured creature, with both a body and a soul. My soul, sometimes referred to as my spirit survives my body. In the next world, my soul has only the spiritual attributes it has developed in this life. Those attributes go with my soul when it passes into the next world.
During the process of transformation, my soul develops these spiritual attributes during a series of tests, tests meant to strengthen those divine attributes that my soul possesses. My soul is a gift from God and created in the image of God. That is my soul is a divine creation and has spiritual characteristics such as faith, love, creativity, etc. My soul must develop these attributes must be developed soul is living in this world.
In order for these attributes to develop, a series of tests and difficulties confront me and help my soul to use and strengthen these divine characteristics. My ego bulks because it does not want to consider anything beyond the wants and needs of the body. However, the soul knows that these tests and difficulties are for its own good and assist it in emerging from the cocoon of matter in which those attributes are developed and strengthened like the wings of a butterfly.
NOTE: These paragraphs explain my understanding of the process of transformation at this time in my life.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Cloudy Weather and Gratitude
7 Qawl 164 B.E. - Wednesday, November 28, 2007 about 6:03 PM PST
I enjoy the cloudy weather. It reminds me of tests and difficulties (I've had a lot of those lately), sometimes the problems hide the Beloved like the clouds hide the sun. The clouds aren't permanent any more then tests and difficulties last. Eventually a person passes the test and moves on.
I've found the best way to handle test and difficulties is gratitude. I try to look at the little things I have to be thankful for on a daily basis. I even have a gratitude journal. In fact for the next 1001 days I'm going to make daily entries into that journal. I've even given the journal a special name - 1001 Days of Praise and Gratitude. I list things I have to be thankful or grateful for that day.
One of the things I listed today was the cloudy weather. Today I am grateful for cloudy weather. The best way to handle a cloudy day, week or month is to remember that the sun will eventually become visible again.
I enjoy the cloudy weather. It reminds me of tests and difficulties (I've had a lot of those lately), sometimes the problems hide the Beloved like the clouds hide the sun. The clouds aren't permanent any more then tests and difficulties last. Eventually a person passes the test and moves on.
I've found the best way to handle test and difficulties is gratitude. I try to look at the little things I have to be thankful for on a daily basis. I even have a gratitude journal. In fact for the next 1001 days I'm going to make daily entries into that journal. I've even given the journal a special name - 1001 Days of Praise and Gratitude. I list things I have to be thankful or grateful for that day.
One of the things I listed today was the cloudy weather. Today I am grateful for cloudy weather. The best way to handle a cloudy day, week or month is to remember that the sun will eventually become visible again.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The Test and Difficulties of a Dial-up Internet connection
3 Qawl 164 B.E. - Sunday, November 25, 2007 about 3:55 PM PST
My Internet connection is especially difficult today. It keeps disconnecting while I'm in the middle of composing blog entries. Fortunately, blogger.com automatically saves you work every few minutes. Still it can become irritating, particularly when it does this every few seconds. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is today. It could be the weather here in Las Vegas, because it cloudy and damp, which could effect the phone lines. I don't know enough about things like that to say for sure what it is.
The problem taxes my patience and persistence. It's just another form of test and difficulties, I've had a lot of those in the past nine months. Saying prayers helps, with the patience and persistence part. When I say a prayer about test and difficulties then the Internet connection disconnecting doesn't seem to bother me as much. I think I'm going to start saying I'm going to say one of the prayers for assistance with test and difficulties revealed by Baha'u'llah before going on line from now on.
My Internet connection is especially difficult today. It keeps disconnecting while I'm in the middle of composing blog entries. Fortunately, blogger.com automatically saves you work every few minutes. Still it can become irritating, particularly when it does this every few seconds. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is today. It could be the weather here in Las Vegas, because it cloudy and damp, which could effect the phone lines. I don't know enough about things like that to say for sure what it is.
The problem taxes my patience and persistence. It's just another form of test and difficulties, I've had a lot of those in the past nine months. Saying prayers helps, with the patience and persistence part. When I say a prayer about test and difficulties then the Internet connection disconnecting doesn't seem to bother me as much. I think I'm going to start saying I'm going to say one of the prayers for assistance with test and difficulties revealed by Baha'u'llah before going on line from now on.
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