March 10 - Day 9

I have been feeling very much at a loss this year, my focus has not been clear.  I am struggling with how to regain it without having to say prayers or do the necessary work.  It has been hard to get in to the "groove" so-to-speak without physically fasting.  Don't get me wrong, I am not making excuses, it has just been an interesting experience starting out the fast sick.  I have been saying prayers, but it has been the basics.  Well, heck that's going to stop right now.

I do find that I still have a little trepidation when I say the word "prayer".  Almost like it's a social taboo.  

Here's one for you:  last year I did this blog in order to keep me in check and honest about the fast.  Well, it appears to be a way to remind myself to say my prayers.  The Baha'i Faith also has a unique place as there are prayers authored by the founder.  Kind of cool I think, there is something different to these prayers, for me certainly because I could never write something like that.  If I were to say a prayer in my own words it would probably go something like this:

"Dear God, thanks so much for the day.  The sun was out and that's pretty cool and I love my kids and my wife. Thank you so much, and thank you for letting me provide for my family too, and for being able to express myself in pictures."

That is really how it would go.  Here's a prayer from Baha'u'llah on unity:

Omy God!  O my God!  Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose.  May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law.  Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee.  O God!  Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love.  Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.

Bahá’u’lláh

Now we're talking!!!!! I make no judgments, prayer is an individual thing and people have their own way of doing it, and a prayer can really be something as simple as, "I hope that I have a better day today."  But for me...well, I mean really, you can see the difference!

So, more prayers, because I feel the need for it.  Right on.

Here's my picture:

Snow and fun and more fun...then hot chocolate for the kids.

Enjoy my fast blog here.