A story to tell

A story of Huang Di and Lei Zu:

Once upon a time, in an old Chinese village, a man Huang Di and his wife Lei Zu made a promise. They decided that their whole lives would be dedicated to adding a small section to their special village quilt, a holy quilt which would be used for those most in need in their village in times of sickness or time of need. There were stories about the various sections of the quilt which had been made by many ancestors of long ago and contributed little by little because thread was such a rare thing in this village.

Huang Di and Lei Zu decided early on to find the threads together and search the villages all over for the little tiny pieces of thread, or cloth that could be used for the special village quilt. It took many days and days to even find one or two good pieces. Most were broken or too small. They took a decision as time went by, to perhaps make the project easier by dividing their time. Huang Di would find pieces of thread, in all different villages, while Lei Zu would remain at the home and collect the threads they had found to bring them togehter, slowly creating small pieces to then weave into a larger piece to contribute to the village quilt.

Time went on and on. Each day Huang Di would bring some pieces, but mostly they were different colors and although each piece was special, together the pieces could not be brought together. Lei Zu in the meantime would be tasked with blending them together. Special intricate delicate work would be required to bring these pieces together, requiring a fine steady hand and nimble fingers. They would share their triumphs and difficulties each day over tea in the evening, tend to their garden together at night and then rest unti the dawn arrived the following day.

As Huang Di became tired, he would sometimes come home early expecting to find Lei Zu trying to piece some threads together. But this day, he saw her by the garden. She looked very serious, and so focused on the garden...well Huang Di would continue his search the next day like every day. They will chat at tea...

Soon, each day when Huang Di arrived, whether early or late, Lei Zu was still in the garden! He was not sure why, and continued his way to find threads.

As time went on, more threads were brought home, in differing colors and textures, left in the small room where Lei Zu was to make the part of the quilt. But for quite a few days and even weeks, Lei Zu seemed to be in the garden and again very focused.

Lei Zu and Huang Di chatted during their tea in the evening and Lei Zu asked for some patience in her special project. It was complicated and quite delicate, but that with some faith, some very wonderful things could happen. Huang Di was confused. The tasks were clear, the threads must be pulled together, and he knew he could not do this, his fingers were far too big and shaky, where as Lei Zu could bring many small threads together within a blink of her eye...Oh well, Huang Di would wait, and he will continue his tasks as much as he could. Sometimes, he would ask Lei Zu about the garden project, but she just told him to be patient...with faith things will be revealed...

One day, with the sun brighter than other days, as Huang Di made his way to go through the villages once again, Lei Zu asked him to join her for tea. But it was not evening? Lei Zu insisted to have it now and to drink the tea in the garden so she could show him what she doing all these months...

With a cup of tea for Huang Di, she explained that one day in the garden with her cup of tea, a silk worm had dropped in her cup. Slowly she saw how the little worm created the most wondeful special threads she had ever seen...if only she knew how to create more and understand them better...

What Huang Di didnt know, was that Lei Zu had discovered how to make silk, the smoothest cloth in all of China. Each piece of thread that Huang Di found would now be interwoven into the silk, creating beautfiul colors and textures, reflecting the efforts and work that both Huang Di and Lei Zu put together.

While they both did not know they had the capacity to create such abundance and beauty, their faith, mutual support and patience created gifts beyond their deepest expectations. Huang Di and Lei Zu could now not only provide the village with a small piece of quilt, but an entire quilt for each village near and far. This was their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of their friend the silk worm:

"A silkworm spins all its silk till its death and a candle won't stop its tears until it is fully burnt."

(This Tang poem accurately describes the property of the silkworm. Despite technological development, a silkworm can only produce a certain amount of silk---1000 meters (3280feet) in its lifespan of 28 days. The rarity of the raw material is the deciding factor of both the value and the mystery of silk.)

Home again

That was Alec...he is sitting on my lap now and he loves the computer. He is now crawling around my chair in the library. Anyway, we got back from my sister's and as I hoped it was a a really nice Thanksgiving. We heard my Dad's tape and even with the tears that greeted me it was a great experience. We had turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy and an orange fresh cranberry (really) salad. The dessert, which I should just mention was very nice. Pieter made his heavenly apple tart (tres francais et formidable) and my brother in law's sister Valerie (which I should practically call family since she feels that close) made three pies, apple, lemon meringue and pumpkin cheescake. The pumpkin cheesecake was really good, and Bella actually had a slice of the applie pie & lemon meringue pie. Alec? Well, he had some macaroni and cheese.

Now a few days later, Bella is almost over her illness (she had Bronchitis we found out on Friday at the Dr's) and now Alec and I are both suffering from a rough cough, sandpapery throat and fatigue. Hopefully Alec will be well and not need medication, but we will see.

Sunday is here and another week is starting. I would love to not go back to work for at least 2 more weeks. I think everytime I have a little time off, it is harder to go back to the work pace. But I will create some resolve, gather some more strength and hopefully gain more capacity instead of feeling pity on myself (the worst...)

Hey some cool news on the Bahai front, our Cluster (named Captial North consisting of counties of Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon and Somerset) has been given A status. This means that the Bahais of our area have been designated with a status relating to the highest level of teaching efforts, activities and growth. Exciting this is, and yet I am wondering how much will change in our community. In some respect I feel there is a spotlight on our region within the North Eastern states (the 4th area of our region that has been granted A status) and expectations shift. More effort, more focus, more clarity of vision. Exciting times, and I hope I can make the mark...

Ready set go!!!!!!!

"Forget your own selves and turn your eyes toward your neighbor. Bend your energies to whatever may foster the education of men..." Bahá'u'lláh

Thanksgiving and the G5

Hi there, and to those Americans who log in, wishing you a nice Thanksgiving. Our family will be driving up to my sister's in Ballston Spa NY about a 3 hour drive tomorrow morning. Unfortunatly Isabella & Alec was sick this past weekend and Bella at least has not gotten over it. Red cheeks, stuffy nose and lots of coughing has replaced her daily singing, chatting away and running around. Well, we hope for the best tomorrow and will bring lots of VICKS and other things to help get through the day in as sickfree way as possible.

Anyway, I know what I am thankful for, life, family health and time. Time to spend with family without work, worries or heavy concerns. Plus, I am once again thankful that technology has assisted me in making memories a reality.

Tomorrow, I will be bringing to my sister's a CD that I burned off of my G5 MAC Garage Band program. This CD is a 20 minute clip of special memories, of my Dad. A long time ago (spanning back almost 30 years) my father created a tape of his children, and our cousins, with my Mamoo Shams (Uncle in Urdu) while they were visiting from Pakistan. My Dad has this special way of talking, responding and guiding a conversation in a very gentle happy sort of way.

So in this tape, we take turn singing songs, telling jokes, and hearing an interview that my Dad conducts with my cousin about her visit in Buffalo, NY (where we lived at the time). It is full with laughter and includes a beautiful duet that my Father sang with Mamoo Shams. Did I ever tell you that my Dad used to be a singer on the radio in Pakistan? Well it was for a short time, but at least you get the impression his voice is unique and of recording quality. Recording this and listening to it makes me smile...and miss my Dad even more.

My father left this world in January of 93 due to a five year struggle with cancer. But I think God had better plans for him in his own way. I miss him a lot and will be thinking of him tomorrow especially while the tape will played in digital format for the next generation children to hear, enjoy and to experience my Dad...like he was hear making us laugh, sing and enjoy life, just as my sister and I knew him to be.

So thanks Mac G5 for helping me out and making this Thanksgiving a special one.



: )

Peace.

Another point of inspiration...Cape of Good Hope

Check out the new movie by Mark Bamford, a Bahai who went to South Africa with his wife and 2 children who created a wonderful story about love, humanity, diversity and inspiration...Some positive results on using the arts towards spreading an important message with love.

This is what I call inspiring.

This movie has ALREADY won awards, and has been reviewed as a great film (including New York Times, New York Observer...see below)

Laura Kern of the New York Times reviews Cape of Good Hope:
"...a genuine uplift of a film that even the most diehard cynics will find hard to resist... Though issues of race, immigration and gender politics are ever so tactfully present, Mr. Bamford never force-feeds lectures or clichés. Instead, he admirably adheres to his primary objective of concentrating on his large cast of compelling and utterly believable characters. Witnessing Kate thaw out is just one of the many pleasures this satisfying and memorable film has to offer."

Ken Fox of TV Guide reviews Cape of Good Hope:

"Director Mark Bamford's sweet-natured ensemble film doesn't shy away from addressing issues of racism - both black and white... but integrates them into tightly woven stories about ordinary people doing the best to live their lives, raise their children and do a little good when the opportunity arises."

Deardra Shuler of The Black World Today reviews Cape of Good Hope:

"CAPE OF GOOD HOPE is a must see movie that will have audiences leaving the theater feeling positive about who we are and can be as human beings. Go see it!"

Coming to a theatre near you...(I'll be in line) for more information and to see the trailer, go to www.capemovie.com

time for a new perspective

I read an awesome article about Bono in Rolling Stone. Simply put, he wants to end "stupid poverty" or as referred to frequently in the Bahai writings, elimination of extremes of poverty. His quest is incredible, and attitude even better. Not because he can sing and speak his mind so eloquently but because he is humbled by this issue. That blows my mind. A mega mega star like him can still be so affected by the planet's injustices. In response to the interviewer asking what Bono wants to change, he replies

"First ourselves, I suppose. To become better people. And second, the wickedness of the world. For a lot of people, the world is a desperate place. A third of the people who live in it cannot achieve sustenance. And there is no real reason for that, other than a certain selfishness and greed."

(In reply to why he has been involved since he was 17...)

"Once you see not only the problem, but also the solution, there's no escape. You see it, you can't look away from it...This is not, O my God, all the poor starving Africans with flies around their faces. They are very noble, royal people, full with easy laughter and very innovative....This is about us, too. Its about who are we? What are our values? Do we have any? It's exciting."

(Feeling very inadequate to follow his words, but we go on...) I LOVE that. What a wonderful perspective, both the characterization of our beloved brothers and sisters in Africa and his quest for finding a solution. New perspectives, one at a time. That will change the world.

Time to work now and continue to change mine. :-)

time to hang (and itch)

Here are some fun pictures taken from our "photo booth" program off the Mac G5, awesome piece of machinery and technology. One pic is Isabella as the lovely Mulan for Halloween, and the other is recent quick pic of P and I sending a fun hello to Carla across the ocean (P's mom for anyone who ventured to guess)

Anyway, I took a break tonight after a hectic two weeks, and after a long day at work where I also received my first of many allergy shots beginning my immunotherapy process (of lots of shots, over lots of weeks). I am glad I started but it is going to be a long process. The Allergist told me to wait at the office for 20 minutes to see if I would have any bad reactions..I thought I DID feel some itchiness and fatigue, but I couldnt tell if that was psychosimatic (sp?), the effect of working long hours or just an allergic reaction (the itching is still around). Anyway, I have 15 more to go in the next few months so I might as well get used to it.

Off to sleep now, (and a quick read of a few chapters of the new Crichton book dealing with global warming, cool stuff) Happy dreams...

where does this all take us?

In the past few weeks, I've been noticing that as time goes by, a lot of bad stuff can happen at the same time that we are learning, struggling and growing in our crazy hectic lives. But I have to believe that it is meant to take us on a journey as long as we are willing to learn, question and ask the right questions. Some negative stuff that has happened:
1) my step father is on his way to an important trip, packed, ready to go, & then at the airport, finds out his booking was made for a month later rather than on the actual day he had to go...he then books another flight the following morning and misses the gate by 5 minutes...
2) a friend's son is on his way to his first camping trip, ready to finally check out the outdoors with his buddies etc, and then jumped over a rock the wrong way and broke his leg...
3) a very close woman-friend had to say goodbye to a close man friend, not because she didnt want to be with him, but because he was not right for her path...
4) A dear friend celebrated his birthday in a different land working for free for a whole year in Service for others, teaching children classes, teaching the Faith and on his birthday he found out he was robbed...in his house!
5) My friend at work had to attend a funeral of a baby who was stillborn after the mother was 10 days late with her delivery due date but her doctors said "not to worry"...
6) The Pakistani disaster earthquake has left 70,000 people killed, more than the Tsunami and yet not a lot of people seem to think about it, my cousin -in-law is trying to get wheelchairs and ambulance equipment to the area most devastated, but can't because the villages on the way along the path toward his destination end up needing the wheelchairs so badly, they end up taking his stuff and he has nothing left in his journey to take to the disaster areas...
7) Paris is burning...

So many events have occured, that I have either been a witness to or been told about only in the past week. Frequently, my thoughts turn to seeking contentment despite how bad things get...but I am sometimes so frustrated that the world is functioning in such a disabled process, unable to fix its own misery and while so many are dying, suffering and cold. As some of my earlier posts indicate, I am aware of what happens in the world and I am hopeful that maybe others can see a pattern around us and get a discontent that arises within them to seek a change. What is the message?

Last Saturday we had a Spiritual Cafe (another inspiring one) about Progressive Revelation. A cool subject about how all the Messengers of God do come from the same source, all proclaiming the same message in differing scope depending on man's maturity and progressive development. After reviewing the selections, it occured to me that humanity has each time a messenger has been sent down (if one believes that) mankind has swiftly turned away, continued on their path and persecuted the messenger...

Once again, we are standing at an important juncture, one that could alter mankind's path in a very good way. For those of you who know, I am a Bahai. I have been since college, when I asked myself the 'Why' in life...and found truth, in a big way, more than I ever expected. It is a provocative Faith, since the Prophet Founder Baha'u'llah ushers in a whole new age for mankind, one of unity, harmony and social justice, a sort of light at the end of every dark tunnel. While the light is there however, much work needs to be done. So much work, that I think everyone could help. I only wish that others could see the same purpose, the same light, the same truth so we have others helping creating this just society.

The 1st step?? Well, in the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah does not ask for blind followers but rather the curious, open minded, thoughtful and critical mind. Once they are open, I would suggest for everyone to investigate, read any writing of Baha'u'llah, study his life. Why was he here on this planet, what is his message and what does it mean for each person today?

For those who take up the quest...enjoy. I have plenty of links to sources of information, although a quick beginning can be launched through our local Hillsborough Bahai site, (www.hillsboroughbahai.org) for more international related stuff go to links on the right under "international sites". For anyone else, I hope the tunnel gets more light...soon.

:-)

one of those things

I do not like chain letters ( a letter that contains a request that it be forwarded to many others etc). I think they are a nuisance and kind of superstitous. Somehow, because I received an email that was from a very trusted friend, I thought I will read this...

So see for yourself, it touched me, and maybe it will touch you:

Subject: Friendship Week

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,
I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.
His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.
I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home
all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a
football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon),
so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running
toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his
arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the
grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him
and as he crawled around looking for his glasses,
and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks.

They really should get lives.

" He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where
he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him
why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends.

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know
Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought
the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the
huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build
some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!

"He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors, we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would always be friends, that the
miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for
business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class.
I teased him all the time about being a nerd.
He had to prepare a speech for graduation.
I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself
during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous.

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big
guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really
grateful one) and smiled.

"Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and
began

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you
make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a
coach...but mostly your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend
to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told
the story of the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so
his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was
carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome,
popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that
same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one
another in some way.

Look for God in others.

You now have two choices, you can:

1) Pass this on to your friends or

2) Delete it and act like it didn't touch your heart.

As you can see, I took choice number 1.

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our
wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is mystery.

Today is a gift.

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how
much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a
FRIEND.

logging in from legal offsite

Work work work. Well, I am here in Tampa Florida about to fall asleep in the lovely Hilton Garden Inn in East Brandon part of Tampa, only 8 minutes from the nearest Barnes and Noble, where I get my tea, coffee and hang at for moments of peace during this crazy seminar/work filled few days.

So, my IPOD and inMotion speakers are keeping me company here in my hotel room. Love the Cure, Dee Lite, a little Morrissey prior another full day at the the IP NAS seminar meeting where we discuss legal intellectual property issues, contract terms (good bad & the ugly) and dialogue about compliance issues. We even consult around how to improve processes or ancient practices at our company that need to be renewed...or maybe even thrown away.

So tomorrow I have to play host to a legal style jeopardy type game, we start at 8:30...my prep? Drinking Verona coffee in the AM and hopefully a good night sleep.

I miss my kids I miss their faces, their laughing and hugs.(P, good night and sweet dreams, and eternal thanks for holding up the fort so gracefully...)

Anyway, I have also been reminded of how I do not nor ever have liked politics in an organization. I am not personally affected that much, but others are. We need to veer away from these thankless processes that only serve our ego, titles, who knows who etc. Cool how the following Hidden Word totally hits the point: (note the exclamation point...)

O Son of Dust!
Verily, I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say, O brethren! Let deeds, not words be your adorning.

Baha'u'llah


deeds.(Nuff said)