doberman pizza. a baha'i (bahai, bahá'í) blog.

in the spirit

happy birthday!

what the hey christmas holiday

hello there people. the winter school was so great. I came back last night. I wish I could have stayed there for a week! what a cool atmosphere. it was an interesting challenge personally, and it was so fun to be around all the kids. i was asked to help facilitate a group of 13-16 year olds. it was rough at times but we made out quite well and I think the youth enjoyed themselves. it was a very different atmosphere, because there were parents involved in the process, part of the groups. everything centred around the youth, and apparently everyone loved that aspect of it. the whole school was a rousing success.

now I’m back in Ottawa, staying at my parents’ place. my mom is working today, and my dad (who is retired now) is taking it easy with us at home. we had a nice conversation this morning about the history of his family. I learn more about family history every day, and it’s helping me get a better understanding of the family’s evolution. you just need to ask and you’ll receive.

today (once we finally get going) Catherine and I are going to go downtown, do a little shopping, and meet some friends for tea. around about tea time, too. charming. (in a british accent)

I was reading a really interesting book this morning, called “To dine with the blameless Ethiopians”. it’s about the story of an african-american Bahá’í girl who decides to go to southern Africa on a year of service, and her struggles with apartheid and her own cultural identity, and her service to the Faith throughout all these difficulties. very interesting and very inspiring. I sometimes feel like I’m not doing enough in my service. and it’s true that other people have done a lot more than I have on their year of service than I have on mine. but I accepted certain conditions of life and service when I decided to go to Quebec. Quebec isn’t exactly South Africa. People aren’t really banging down your door to hear about a new religion. not that there are fundamentally different needs — everyone needs the healing message of Bahá’u'lláh — but it needs to be brought in a certain way. I guess the most important thing I’ve done is just to stay in the community, establish the local Spiritual Assembly, and offer my support and aid to the local community. I’m still thinking about this issue of finding courage, of finding that faith that moves mountains. the doubts and fears are very real, but they’re very real delusions. overcoming these delusions — that I can’t teach the Faith, that I don’t have the capacity to spread the message of Bahá’u'lláh, that I can’t live a life that’s infused with the spirit of devotion and love for His Revelation — is my challenge, and one that I am facing one step at a time. slowly I find myself gaining in courage and certitude. slowly I find myself mentioning the Faith to more and more people. slowly the seeds I plant grow, and it’s my duty to continue to water them, feed them, give them light. one step at a time, one day at a time.

anyway, I’m going to get ready to go now. I’m glad to be able to share these things with you people. And I’m not even sure who reads this. maybe a bunch of complete strangers. if so, I hope you take something good from it ;)

one more chapter in life closed

so, I finally paid some guy to tow away the old Mazda. trusty rusty is out of my driveway now. sniff… I think I hear Taps playing… (sobs) she was a good car… but now she’s gonna be pepsi cans!

and on that note, off in my new car to the winter school in St.-Emile-de-Suffolk. à tantôt tous les amis!

cows, wood, trucks, and computers

well, I have a job! good stuff. it’s a three-month contract with the SADC (Société d’aide au développement des collectivités). they’re an organization funded by Canada Economic Development, and they do things like give grants to local businesses, entrepreneurs (especially young ones) who want to start a business, and so on. I’ll be an all-around computer guy, teaching people how to use internet, setting up computers and networks, and various other tasks. I’ll have more details once the job starts. mmm, economic development. good stuff. there’s a lot of need for economic development in this region — from what I hear, anyway. it seems all there is here is cows, wood, and trucks. and sometimes, there are even trucks carrying wooden cows. that’s rare, though. ok, no, that’s a joke. but I’m integrated now, so I can make those jokes.

the job search club paid off. I think the greatest benefit I got from it was being forced to push through the fear and the doubt that surrounded me in calling employers. I come out of it with a… different outlook on life, actually. I feel different. as if something inside me’s changed. I’ve been on the other side of those doubts and fears and seen that they’re vaporous, baseless. I can see the other side of the barrier and I wonder why it ever stopped me before. If only I had believed in myself earlier. I would have realized that I had no reason not to believe.

and that’s a thought that I’m meditating and praying on. I need all the support I can get in this reflection. But it’s a support that isn’t expressed through words. If you happen to want to help… offer prayers ;)

earth can never cloud its splendour, nor water quench its flame…

untitled

oh i’m going to montreal with a banjo on my knee.

just so you people know, I’m planning a trip down to Ottawa from december 20th to about Christmas. homies represent! hmm. I don’t feel like coming back down to Ottawa to do nothing though. I have a burning desire to discuss important spiritual principles. I shall have to think of something to do. I’ll keep you all posted.

there’s a nice christmas tree with many-coloured lights across the street from my window. nice. I love christmas lights. it’s like a little gift from God, as a token of His appreciation ;)

niece

and now I have a niece! :) Her name is Zea Evelyn Jones, and she was born on the 11th of December at 1:53 am. She weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces, is 22 inches tall, and blonde or reddish hair. And according to my dad she’s really cute.

photos are undoubtedly forthcoming ;)

twenty three skidoo

lots of stuff always happens in my life nowadays. I guess that’s good. I haven’t been bored in a long, long time.

I am actively searching for work right now. I’ve had enough of joe jobs. And web site contracts are okay, but contracts don’t really replace a salary IMHO. What I need at this point in my life is a stable job that will allow me to live, gain experience, and give me time to serve the Faith as well.

oh and by the way, I’m 23 years old now. many thanks to those of you out there who sent cards, e-cards, letters, or other correspondence. I celebrated by baking my own cake and recording my own birthday song. woohoo!

what do I really want for my birthday? sigh. I want a job ;) but that’ll come with effort, courage, and perseverance. and a lot of smiling and speaking French.

much love to my homies. peace out.