The White stuff called Snow

It was a long travel, the bus was comfortable and the layover was patient-teaching. New York City bus terminal (lower levels of Union Station) was teaming with people. As the saying goes, New York City never Sleeps, but the bus station was packed with people tired and weary from long rides to and from different parts of the country; Some sleeping on their luggage, others transforming metal benches into cozy dozing spots, a few read books, some listening intently to ipods and CD players, and a small band walking up and down the terminal making small talk and kicking sleep right off of their 2am sleep-deprived dreamy moods; eagerly waiting departure time.

When the long awaited departure time was at hand, and the loud speaker announcement was made, lines were formed, a well dressed bus driver collected tickets and passengers filed into seats, and off we went. Four hours thirty minutes later, we pulled in into the bus terminal- Springfield-MA. Glad to be in MA, my first state ever lived in the U.S. The snow covered embankments and snow everywhere reminded me of my first encounter with the White stuff called Snow:

It was winter 2002, fresh from the heat and warmth of Haifa; I got to shovel snow in Elliot- Maine (Green Acre Baha’i School). It was an exhilarating first experience. Dressed in Thick Jackets, Jeans, Boots and warmly secured hand gloves, making sure no part of my body except for my eyes were exposed to the cold temperatures, I shoveled that white stuff out of the driveway. Dove into some of the piles and flung some snow balls. I was not as brave to stay and mould a snow man, (for love of my highly needed delicate hands for drumming) but in Boston I was a hero to myself for playing ultimate frisbee under the cold weather.

Now I can reflect on the good times had in Charlottesville-VA.

The Stage Is Set

"The Stage is Set," were the bold letters that graced the backdrop of the music stage of the common area at the Sheraton hotel in Stamford Connecticut. Those were the welcoming words that greeted my entrance as a pop song was blazing in the air.

I walked to the registration desk and penned down my information on paper, and so it went, I was officially registered as a participant of the NEBY(Northeastern Baha'i Youth) Festival 2008.
http://www.neby.org/about.html

All through the weekend, from the performers to the plenary sessions and featured guest speakers, including workshops, their message revolved on the theme: The Stage is Set. The question is; The Stage is Set for what?
That is why I attended the conference, but on a more selfish note, the lineup of speakers and performers featured Rebequa Murphy(A beloved speaker) and KC Porter (My favorite producer).

Throughout the weekend, where I was opportune to be in the company of over 1000 Baha'i youth and their friends, listen to great talks, participate in a workshop, pray and got my spirit enlivened by heavenly devotional music, I got the answer to my question.

As Ms. Rebequa Murphy pointed out quoting from the Baha'i Writings "We have been created to carry forward an ever advancing civilization," I learned that the stage is set for us the youth (young adults included) to bring about the realization of the Oneness of Humanity-- the next stage in the spiritual development of mankind. And we can do it by living conscious lives, proactive lives, lives filled with meaning and of service to Humanity.

I also learned that activities known within the Bahai community as core activities are building blocks in the realization of this essential principle. Let me explain a little bit about these activities and we can see why they are such fantastic avenues for building Unity:

1- Study Circles: A group of friends come together and immerse themselves in a sequence of study of the Holy Writings as it relates to spiritual matters such as Life after Death, the Importance of Prayer, the Blessings of Sharing the Word of God, the Role of Children and Junior Youth in a Community etc. And each book in the sequence calls for actions which are of service to Humanity. e.g One of the practices of the first book in the sequence(Reflections on the Life of the Spirit) asks us to share a prayer. Just imagine the power of Creative Energy we infuse into the world as we share prayers with our friends, families, and neighbors.

2-Children Classes: A series of lessons for children based on the development of Virtues. These classes teach us on how to be better humans, bringing to light those pearls latent in us. Those "gems of inestimable value" that benefit the world.
And Oh by the way! One of the lessons is Unity. And the children memorize this quote: "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole earth." AH HA. Meditate on that.

3-Junior Youth groups: This is about peer groups formed purposely to act as a support network of mutual respect and love for one another as well as being of service to their immediate community. This is my favorite core activity. Teenagers are filled with energy, more in tune with what is going on in the world, and have creative ways to address these issues. If we support them and offer them the tools, This World will be a Different world (a Better one I must add). Contrary to popular belief, teenagers are not spoiled brats who are only concerned with designer clothes and shoes, bling-bling and the latest technological gadget, they have intuitive and powerful minds as well, just get to know them and you'll be blown away.

4-Devotional Gatherings: This is when we gather to give Praise to the Lord. In an atmosphere of complete devotion we express our praise in whatever manner we deem conducive to this purpose: connecting our souls to the All Highest Essence of Creation, becoming One with the Friend as Rumi says.

Since the purpose of this entry was to report on my participation at NEBY 2008, I say, it was a blast. I had a good time. Got to converse a little bit with KC Porter, saw Rainn Wilson (Dwight of the the TV Show-- The Office) give a hilarious but touching account of his spiritual journey, Jam till 2am on Saturday night, played with Ali and Nasim Youssefi, Ben, Mike,and Dan on both the main and side stages, and had a safe drive back to Charlottesville-VA.

Just a side note, I got to eat at an Italian Restaurant close to Broadway(New York City), on our way from the Conference, after a short stop to say Hello to one of our friends' sister at Columbia University. What can I say? I am Blessed and You are Blessed too.

PS. No photos here, because I sold my digital camera to make money to attend the Conference (Just Kidding.

Party, Party

Fareed and I at Mardi Gras
Fareed got his beads

From the seventh floor of the The Terrace, one could see the parking lot by the House of Blues in Downtown Dallas filled to maximum occupancy. A walk around saw the main streets that carve out Victory park teamed with people,and in the parking lot adjacent to the entrance to The W, stood a live music stage, vendors and a throng of colorful costumes of party goers. Lines to buy beer, craw fish, and Popeye's chicken was as long compared only to the lines to the restrooms-- two hundred or more people in two lines.

On the other side of the park, where the giant screen displays flashed all kinds of ads, the fountain was on display wetting the body of a dancer who apparently drunk was a source of entertainment to many onlookers.

The night's weather was cool(upper 5o's or so), and the people of Dallas came out in great numbers for their first Mardi Gras party. You could see the excitement in many faces, as they walk in numbers holding hands, saying Hello's or "Excuse me" as they make their way through tight corners of standing bodies chattering the night out.

The parade-a time that got so many people shouting, hollering and some jumping for beads, was as colorful as the rainbow although not as flamboyant as one might expect in a Mardi Gras party.

I am on my way

I am a thirsty fish
longing to swim in
in the ocean's deeps

A bird trapped in sordid waters
flapping its wings, to
free itself from its mesh
and fly heavenwards

I am a child
tender in age
crying for Mother's breast milk and caress
wanting Father's touch
and the tenderness of his kiss on my forehead

A traveller
staging the course of his journey
seeking his pathway, navigating
readying for the challenges of an adventure
And I am, I am on my way.