“Today all people are immersed in the world of nature. That is why thou dost see jealousy, greed, the struggle for survival, deception, hypocrisy, tyranny, oppression, disputes, strife, bloodshed, looting, and pillaging, which all emanate from the world of nature. Few are those who have been freed from this darkness, who have ascended from the world of nature to the world of man, who have followed the divine Teachings, have served the world of humanity, are resplendent, merciful, illumined and like unto the rose garden. Strive thine utmost to become godlike, characterized with His attributes, illumined and merciful, that thou mayest be freed from every bond and become attached at heart to the Kingdom of the incomparable Lord. This is Baha’i bounty, and this is heavenly light.”  (Revealed by `Abdu’l-Baha, “Selections from the Writings of `Abdu’l-Baha”, p. 206)

However we might be occupied and busy at every pace of life, hopefully living each of its days in full and effectively, we may be fortunate enough to notice, if not all the time, but once in a while that how swiftly time passes by. Naturally we cannot stop it of passing, or expand the number of hours, nor have we any power over the forward pace and the limitation of time. What we can do, is to improve our relation, attitude and degree of presence towards every single day and its units—hours, minutes, and seconds—the smaller, the better, keeping vigilant and alive to each breath. Conscious vigilance and presence of mind and senses of both the within and without sharpens our vision and focus, elevates our perceptions and develops our natural potency, however its measure and degree, in receiving and appreciating the gifts of life, enabling every moment to be enjoyed and lived happily and gratefully. Then every hour is counted and treasured and every single day is given the opportunity and potential to bear and offer ample chances, being utilized intelligently, efficiently and effectively. Of course, while such consciousness and presence is a gift and bliss by itself, ascending to a higher point and glancing over, it then is seen as prerequisite and a binding base, but not alone enough to sustain our feelings of fulfillment—and it cannot always indicate progress and ensure a true advancement forward and up. Knowledge and awareness of the value of time and being present in time ought to be supported and lead by high and consciously accepted ideals, disciplined by meaningful and intelligent sense of purpose, willfully nourished by and guided on equally noble and sensible directions. Within such apex of reflection and understanding the passage below inspires wonderful thoughts. If one may seek its light and supreme wisdom, at the rise of each morning waking up to a new day, one welcomes its start at sunrise as an opportunity desired for, having a clear, fresh and reachable goal in mind. One tries to set that morning at a higher point, better than the night preceding it—however that its height might have been and whatever sever its plight. Such a greeting and wake-up call from the within, on our own volition and delight, creates and aligns our mind and spirit with a wonderful upbeat sense which is positively real, efficiently active, and very kind. With such a perception and spirit the mind is developing in power and might, aware and humbled, knowing and appreciating the truth of perfection, that it is relative, on-going, calling for effort and unflinching will. That realization in turn inspires the heart and soul to ever grow bigger and generous, patient and understanding and ever a bit more accepting and encouraging, of others and ourselves too, knowing that each one is trying and doing the best that can then and knows best how at that time , as the days advance at that pace, and the clock keeps on counting and marches on…

“Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday.  Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.  Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion.  Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your personal interest.  Be generous in your days of plenty, and be patient in the hour of loss… Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the armour of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth the hearts of the well-favoured of God.”  ("Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p.138)

“Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low.”  (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 138)

“Abandonment of ‘frivolous conduct’ dose not imply that a Baha’i must be sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Baha’i life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God, are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.”, “He dose not forbid ‘trivial’ pleasures, but he dose warn against ‘excessive attachments’ to them and indicates that they can often be ‘misdirected’. One is reminded of `Abdu’l-Baha’s caution that we should not let a pastime become a waste of time.”  (Letter dated 1979 written on behalf of The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer – elucidating Shoghi Effendi’s description of ‘chaste and holy life’ and his reference to ‘frivilous conduct’.)

You are welcome to visit the recent posts on my two other blogs—English and bilingual—below:

Inked ThinkPenhttp://inkedthinkpen.blogspot.ca/
Timeless Treasures: Words with Meanings
http://timelesstreasureswordswithmeanings.blogspot.ca/