Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Fine dining
Hello again and welcome to soulkids!
My father-in-law went overseas this week to visit family and he asked me to compile some photographs for him to take along. When he asked me for ‘some photos’, I realised he meant almost a mini-documentary on the last few years of our individual and collective lives because it’s been a few years since his last overseas trip! Of course, I agreed and began sifting through the countless photographs we have (which as a result of digital technology we rarely print) but occasionally go back in time to admire. Going through these photographs I realised there was something common in many of them which have been taken at our home. The item I noticed existing in many of the photographs was our dining table. Think about it – this multi-purpose object is almost a home in itself. It is the centre of the household.
Viewing the photographs of my beloved family, I noticed that we have shared many occasions on and around this piece of furniture. Birthdays, family meetings, tea with friends, homework sessions, family dinners and even art classes! How many times have you been rushing to cook dinner whilst helping your independent little one install batteries in his shiny, noisy, new car toy which you thought was ‘a good idea to purchase at the time‘ (because it wasn’t anywhere near that loud in the shop!); your middle one with his new found love of kindergarten readers; and your eldest with his more elaborate homework which this week is to build a volcano which erupts; and this is all before dressing them in their appropriate attire and dropping them off to their afternoon activity??? Think of where this all happens... Yes, around your dining table, or your kitchen bench, or elsewhere in your home...
To me, the dining table symbolises a centre – the heart of an existence – and for your family this ‘centre’ may slightly differ but the core remains the same. It brought to my mind the wonderful family that we have and the many precious, life-shaping moments which we have shared together so far, and God-willing, will share many more. The photos brought to my heart the love, caring, dedication, expression, creativity, beauty, excellence, justice, reverence, unity, wisdom, wonder, purposefulness, service, sacrifice and humility we endeavour to surround our children with. We get so caught up in meeting deadlines and arriving at our meetings or venues punctually that I do hope we actually pause sometimes and absorb all that we are striving for.
This wonderful quote from 'Abdu'l-Bahá is very clear: “I give you my advice and it is this: Train these children with divine exhortations. From their childhood instil in their hearts the love of God... and have confidence in the bestowals of God. Teach them to free themselves from human imperfections and to acquire the divine perfections latent in the heart of man. The life of man is useful if he attains the perfections of man...Therefore make ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and educated that each one of them may attain perfection in the world of humanity. Know ye the value of these children for they are all my children.” ('Abdu'l-Bahá in the Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 52-54).
Whatever the ‘dining table’ happens to be in your family, do take firm note of how the events which occur around it shape our children, the men and women of the new world.
The Editor
My father-in-law went overseas this week to visit family and he asked me to compile some photographs for him to take along. When he asked me for ‘some photos’, I realised he meant almost a mini-documentary on the last few years of our individual and collective lives because it’s been a few years since his last overseas trip! Of course, I agreed and began sifting through the countless photographs we have (which as a result of digital technology we rarely print) but occasionally go back in time to admire. Going through these photographs I realised there was something common in many of them which have been taken at our home. The item I noticed existing in many of the photographs was our dining table. Think about it – this multi-purpose object is almost a home in itself. It is the centre of the household.
Viewing the photographs of my beloved family, I noticed that we have shared many occasions on and around this piece of furniture. Birthdays, family meetings, tea with friends, homework sessions, family dinners and even art classes! How many times have you been rushing to cook dinner whilst helping your independent little one install batteries in his shiny, noisy, new car toy which you thought was ‘a good idea to purchase at the time‘ (because it wasn’t anywhere near that loud in the shop!); your middle one with his new found love of kindergarten readers; and your eldest with his more elaborate homework which this week is to build a volcano which erupts; and this is all before dressing them in their appropriate attire and dropping them off to their afternoon activity??? Think of where this all happens... Yes, around your dining table, or your kitchen bench, or elsewhere in your home...
To me, the dining table symbolises a centre – the heart of an existence – and for your family this ‘centre’ may slightly differ but the core remains the same. It brought to my mind the wonderful family that we have and the many precious, life-shaping moments which we have shared together so far, and God-willing, will share many more. The photos brought to my heart the love, caring, dedication, expression, creativity, beauty, excellence, justice, reverence, unity, wisdom, wonder, purposefulness, service, sacrifice and humility we endeavour to surround our children with. We get so caught up in meeting deadlines and arriving at our meetings or venues punctually that I do hope we actually pause sometimes and absorb all that we are striving for.
This wonderful quote from 'Abdu'l-Bahá is very clear: “I give you my advice and it is this: Train these children with divine exhortations. From their childhood instil in their hearts the love of God... and have confidence in the bestowals of God. Teach them to free themselves from human imperfections and to acquire the divine perfections latent in the heart of man. The life of man is useful if he attains the perfections of man...Therefore make ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and educated that each one of them may attain perfection in the world of humanity. Know ye the value of these children for they are all my children.” ('Abdu'l-Bahá in the Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 52-54).
Whatever the ‘dining table’ happens to be in your family, do take firm note of how the events which occur around it shape our children, the men and women of the new world.
The Editor
Monday, April 27, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Welcome once again to soulkids – this month in honour of all the mothers in the world!
Many countries around the world have dedicated one day of the year to honour the role of the Mother, and this day, the second Sunday in May for us in Australia, is fast approaching.
`Abdu'l-Bahá said: ‘It is clear... That the future generation depends on the mothers of today. Is not this a vital responsibility for the woman? Does she not require every possible advantage to equip her for such a task?’ Paris Talks, p.162
The clarity which can be found in the words of many of the Baha’i Writings specifically relating to the education of children and the role of mothers is unmistakeable – each and every one of them is like a ray of light, a gem in itself. All the emotions, the overwhelming love coupled with immense responsibility a mother feels, begins at the very moment of conception. What greater anticipation can one feel than that just before the birth of their child? What greater gift can one be given than that of a new ‘bundle of joy’ full of promise and hope for the future? And what greater show of trust can be given to all the mothers and fathers in the world from Him?
With the joys of motherhood come certain tears, sleepless nights, times of uncertainty and times of triumph. So many questions, and not always clear answers. I always tell my children that every day is Mother’s Day since my job is never done. I have always got room to grow and learn and become a better mother for my task is so great and I really do bring myself to account each day. I am so humbled by the honour of being acknowledged for my contribution to their lives.
It cannot be more clearly stated than by Shoghi Effendi himself:
‘The task of bringing up a child, as emphasized time and again... Is the chief responsibility of the mother, whose unique privilege is indeed to create in her home such conditions as would be most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. The training which a child first receives through his mother constitutes the strongest foundation for his future development, and it should therefore be the paramount concern...’
For all the late nights, the help with the homework, the times you lay awake in your bed waiting for them to come home at night; for all the school drop-offs and pick-ups, for all the hats and costumes you stitched for the various parades, for all the late night hot chocolates you made to sooth a broken heart, for all the tears you shed together when Nemo got lost or when Shrek and Fiona got married; for all the advice you gave (which they will put into practice... one day), for the way you held their hand during their visit to the dentist and during their immunisation; for all the songs you sang, the stories you read, the prayers you said; for the way you held them in your arms and gave them a shoulder to cry on when someone was lost, or something was found; for all the companioning – physical, emotional, spiritual and mental...
I honour you – precious treasures, mothers of the future of the world, and wholeheartedly wish you a Happy Mother’s Day, today and every day.
The Editor
Many countries around the world have dedicated one day of the year to honour the role of the Mother, and this day, the second Sunday in May for us in Australia, is fast approaching.
`Abdu'l-Bahá said: ‘It is clear... That the future generation depends on the mothers of today. Is not this a vital responsibility for the woman? Does she not require every possible advantage to equip her for such a task?’ Paris Talks, p.162
The clarity which can be found in the words of many of the Baha’i Writings specifically relating to the education of children and the role of mothers is unmistakeable – each and every one of them is like a ray of light, a gem in itself. All the emotions, the overwhelming love coupled with immense responsibility a mother feels, begins at the very moment of conception. What greater anticipation can one feel than that just before the birth of their child? What greater gift can one be given than that of a new ‘bundle of joy’ full of promise and hope for the future? And what greater show of trust can be given to all the mothers and fathers in the world from Him?
With the joys of motherhood come certain tears, sleepless nights, times of uncertainty and times of triumph. So many questions, and not always clear answers. I always tell my children that every day is Mother’s Day since my job is never done. I have always got room to grow and learn and become a better mother for my task is so great and I really do bring myself to account each day. I am so humbled by the honour of being acknowledged for my contribution to their lives.
It cannot be more clearly stated than by Shoghi Effendi himself:
‘The task of bringing up a child, as emphasized time and again... Is the chief responsibility of the mother, whose unique privilege is indeed to create in her home such conditions as would be most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. The training which a child first receives through his mother constitutes the strongest foundation for his future development, and it should therefore be the paramount concern...’
For all the late nights, the help with the homework, the times you lay awake in your bed waiting for them to come home at night; for all the school drop-offs and pick-ups, for all the hats and costumes you stitched for the various parades, for all the late night hot chocolates you made to sooth a broken heart, for all the tears you shed together when Nemo got lost or when Shrek and Fiona got married; for all the advice you gave (which they will put into practice... one day), for the way you held their hand during their visit to the dentist and during their immunisation; for all the songs you sang, the stories you read, the prayers you said; for the way you held them in your arms and gave them a shoulder to cry on when someone was lost, or something was found; for all the companioning – physical, emotional, spiritual and mental...
I honour you – precious treasures, mothers of the future of the world, and wholeheartedly wish you a Happy Mother’s Day, today and every day.
The Editor
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Welcome to soulkids
Welcome to the live edition of soulkids!
I am so delighted to have the chance to produce the newsletters for you and this online forum which has endless possibilities. You know, this is one of the things about the Baha’i Faith that I adore – the encouragement and respect of individual initiative.
I myself am a Mother of three and the Faith has given me so much ‘soul food’ and so much guidance, that I’d like to share some of it with you. My aim is to give you all a little ‘soul food’ every month so that together, we can face and overcome any challenges that will arise in our journey as parents and educators of the next generation. Sounds serious doesn’t it, the ‘next generation’, but don’t dismiss it lightly, this is exactly what our children are – the future of the world.
So, make yourself a cup of your favourite hot drink, sit down, put your feet up and read on... I am sure you will find something that will tickle your interest. And if you’d like a particular topic to be covered in upcoming newsletters, email the Editor at soulkids@live.com.au.
Remember, happy parenting equals a happy childhood!
The Editor
I am so delighted to have the chance to produce the newsletters for you and this online forum which has endless possibilities. You know, this is one of the things about the Baha’i Faith that I adore – the encouragement and respect of individual initiative.
I myself am a Mother of three and the Faith has given me so much ‘soul food’ and so much guidance, that I’d like to share some of it with you. My aim is to give you all a little ‘soul food’ every month so that together, we can face and overcome any challenges that will arise in our journey as parents and educators of the next generation. Sounds serious doesn’t it, the ‘next generation’, but don’t dismiss it lightly, this is exactly what our children are – the future of the world.
So, make yourself a cup of your favourite hot drink, sit down, put your feet up and read on... I am sure you will find something that will tickle your interest. And if you’d like a particular topic to be covered in upcoming newsletters, email the Editor at soulkids@live.com.au.
Remember, happy parenting equals a happy childhood!
The Editor
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