The Road to 65, Mile 96: Security

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March 4, 2015, Chino Valley-  I got to use a smart board today, for the first time since leaving Dysart Unified, in 2011.  The Title I students were pretty much self-motivated, so it was not a hard day. One incident took place early on, though.  A couple of boys decided to tease one of the girls by hiding her cell phone.  After a bit of banter, the girl started to shake, and cry.  The phone came back to her, when I intervened.

Of course, use of cellular phones in school is for educational purposes only- no texting, no selfies.  The teens are actually pretty good about following this rule.  I thought about what would make a 15-year-old melt down, over the momentary loss of a phone.  The answer is- lack of connectedness.  We saw  here, last week, how many adults lost it, when the Internet was down, along with land line phones.  Combine such a momentary disconnect with being on Green Card status, and being new to the community, with minimal English skills, and yes- Shattered.

This is another aspect of forgetting who we are, and who everyone with whom we come in contact is.  No matter whether native-born, legally immigrating, or of sketchy legal status, there is no point in isolating anyone from their loved ones, save solitary confinement of the adjudicated deadly menace.  Even then, there is a proviso for occasionally showing the light of day.

I was glad to see her later on, feeling happy and secure.

The Road to 65, Mile 95: A Place for Everybody

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March 3, 2015, Chino Valley- About 1:30 PM, as my students of the day were working on a lesson about contractions (the grammar kind), a little boy walked in, quietly took a seat and pulled his coat over his head.  I patiently coaxed him to take the coat off, and asked if he would like to work on the same lesson as the other students, having determined he was a Special Needs student and only in the room for a short time.

The Inclusion Specialist was with us for that hour, so after a few minutes of saying it was not his regular lesson, he walked over and joined her small group.  He did just fine, writing the contractions along with the three other children, and proudly brought the paper to me for review.  After a few extra minutes in the group, he was off again- back to his self-contained class.  This time, he walked with confidence.

Education, these days, is developing a penchant for several pathways:  Besides the neighbourhood/wide area school, and its long-time alter ego, the private school, there are charter schools, computer-based academies and home schooling.  The idea of one size fitting all is going by the wayside.  There are many upsides to the idea of education being a bazaar, of sorts.

The point that matters most, though, is the mindset of the educator.  Having been brought up to include everyone who happens by, in whatever I am doing at the time, whenever possible, the idea of marginalizing or of outcasts, leaves me rather cold.  Especially with children, the circle must embrace and raise up those who might easily be forgotten or displaced.  It doesn’t take all that much effort, and for the Post-Millennial generation, it is the most natural thing in the world to encourage those viewed in former times as misfits and outcasts.

I was reminded of this again, this afternoon, while reading a post from another blogger about the haughtiness of some in a tony suburb, in another state, and how easy it is for them to draw tight lines around their social circle.  Perhaps adulthood, such as it is, can have this effect on people- but who is the more mature, in such a situation?

The Road to 65, Mile 94: The Flow

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March 2, 2015, Prescott- Granite Creek was flowing, fast and furious, as I looked out the window, at my CPA’s office, this afternoon.  I thought of how things flow, very freely.  My funds will flow, in a couple of weeks, to tend to my remaining tax bills, and will flow just as quickly back into my account, with hard work on my part and those of the enterprises in which I invest.  Energy will flow, a bit more slowly, as I engage in the Fast, of which 18 days remain, then more steadily as Spring comes into play.  Time always flows, and rarely at a slow pace.  Love flows, in several ways, as the Bellamy Brothers once sang.

I’ve been one to go with the flow, especially since I’ve been living alone, in the physical sense.  The past three years, I have traveled extensively, always going where I felt the energy calling.  I’ve lived, happily, in Prescott, when the energy called me home.  Sometimes, it’s the Baha’i community that calls, other times the needs of family and other friends, still others, when a civic emergency arises.  Mostly, though, it’s the thought-voice of my beloved, on the other side, letting me know what is in store for the day, the week, the month and year, and towards what end I should direct my energies.

I feel something pulling me now, possibly away from the state I’ve called home, off and on, for nearly 40 years.  I’ve felt that pull before, and have always ended up staying put, home-wise, even when going off on one of my tangents, as happened a few weeks ago.  I think the flow may change course a few times, before it’s set right.  There is only one thing to do right now, go with it and see where things lead. Sounds like a plan.

The Road to 65, Mile 93: Fun and Games

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March 1, 2015, Prescott- The most tempestuous month of the year dawned, much like a lion, with rain all day and a hint that snow might be in the offing later on.  Of course, what we get here in Arizona pales compared with what has befallen the eastern two-thirds of the country, over the past three months.  Our washes are rushing at capacity, and some roads are closed as a result.  Still, I am on the Red Cross Watch Team, and have not received a call to action, as yet this weekend.

March is also a time when I get the bad news on the tax front, but at least I have five weeks to pony up.  There are always consequences to fun and games, such as my long journeys abroad last year.  This year will have to be toned down, a lot, and more time spent around the home area, hardly a bad thing when home is within the parameters of the Southwest.

What one does for fun does not have to be cleared with anyone else, so long as nobody else is getting hurt and the cost of the enjoyment doesn’t fall on anyone else’s shoulders- sort of a corollary to the whole thing about choices.  I love the outdoors, so being on a trail somewhere is my ideal relaxation.  I also enjoy gatherings of friends or family.  Others, as I hinted, are well-entitled to do whatever they wish, for as long as they wish.

I say this because we seem to have entered a time when people feel they must justify everything they do, in the face of criticism, real or perceived.  There will always be those of different mindsets.  They will often express their opinions, and usually at a time when one feels vulnerable.  I can only say, keep on with what you are doing, and pay your naysayers no mind.  That is, unless those naysayers are your dependents, or your significant other, and they have needs that may interrupt the joy of the moment.

Life is short, regardless of its actual span, so I hope all will keep plenty of time for your relaxation of choice.

The Road to 65, Mile 92: Balance

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February 28, 2015, Prescott-  Over the past several days, we Baha’is have been participating in Ayyam-i-Ha, the gift-giving days signaling the approach of our liturgical year’s end.  We then will fast for the final month of the year, at least those of us who are between the ages of 15-70, and whose physical circumstances do not pose a risk to health.

During this time, people have indulged in a bit of fol-de-rol, online, regarding a certain multi-coloured dress.  I’ve weighed in on the matter, tongue in cheek, and see no harm in such activities.  All the same, the heinousness of many, around the world, also continues.  Angry, misanthropic men indulged themselves in the wanton destruction of ancient treasures, in a museum of Mosul, Iraq, much as they savage Christian and Muslim alike, in the territories unfortunate enough to have fallen under their control.  The same process repeats itself in northern Nigeria, western Myanmar and pockets of the resurgent nation of Somalia.   No one in those places is safe.

Here at home, a human monster is using a motor vehicle as a weapon, aiming it at other drivers, striking their parked vehicles and generally trying to instill fear in a peaceful neighbourhood, towards God knows what end.

Every community has to deal with the unbalanced.  For me, it is well that I have personal faith and its various avenues towards achieving balance in my life.  I am grateful for my friends and family, for the essential oils and organic foods that have kept me out of harm’s way, physically, over the past year or two. It’s a tough row to hoe, being mildly autistic yet capable of holding positions of responsibility and, most importantly, being able to see other people’s point of view.

The Hopi world view was presented, nearly thirty years ago, in a film entitled “Qoyaniqatsi”, or “World Out of Balance”.  Man’s departure from the world of nature was a central theme of this film.  Nature, by itself, struggles to maintain balance, and by itself is generally successful in that regard.  Humankind can maintain balance, in itself and with nature, only by following physical and natural laws, of which “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is the most basic.  To achieve and maintain balance, one must feel connected with all things.

It is the disconnect that many have felt, for some time, that underlies the savagery we see, continuously, in so much of the world.  There are no easy answers to resolving the rage of Islamic State, Boko Haram, the Burmese Buddhist extremists, al-Shabab or any of the bullies who who cause distress, to a lesser extent, in communities around the Earth.  There is, however, a slow process of regeneration taking place, simultaneous to the destruction.  Balance will be restored, and in one state of being (physical or spiritual), each of us will see it.

The Road to 65, Mile 91: Fervour

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February 27, 2015, Prescott-  A university education is pretty much seen as a right, in this day and age- albeit a right that has elements of privilege, including payment of one’s own tuition.  In the Islamic Republic of Iran, however, this right is denied members of my Faith: Baha’i.  There are various ruses and pretexts for this government policy, but the bottom line is: Baha’i has no clergy, which the mullahs, hojatoleslamim and ayatollahs take to mean- “You’re fired!”. Given their track record, would that were the case.

In reality, however, we Baha’is respect the right of other Faiths to maintain clergy, as long as the members of those Faiths regard them as necessary.  We just have a system of elected assemblies, to handle our administrative affairs, with individuals being responsible for their own spiritual growth, through daily prayer, meditation and study of Scripture.

This has never gone over well with those for whom a career in the Cloth entails making relatively large sums of money, as well as amassing considerable personal power.  Such a blur between the sacred and the profane exists in  Faiths other than Islam- It was a wealthy Hindu priest who arranged the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, after all, and it remains that the Vatican is a repository of vast wealth.  Yet, no opponents of Baha’i in countries outside Iran’s sphere of influence have gone to the extent of denying us basic human rights.

This evening, sixteen of us gathered in a large room at Yavapai College, on the east end of town, and viewed a film entitled “To Light A Candle”.  The persecution of Baha’is began with the emergence of Baha’u’llah, our Faith’s Founder, in 1853.  It was pre-dated by the persecution of the followers of Baha’u’llah’s immediate Predecessor, Al Bab (Arabic for “The Gate”), from His Declaration, in May, 1844, through the 1840’s and ’50’s.  This persecution, rife with torture, imprisonment and death, continues to this day.

It’s largely about money and power, as all religious pogroms are, in essence.  Common believers in Islam are duped into participating in the carnage, by appealing to their religious fervour and tailoring sermons to include lies and half-truths.  This is nothing new- commentary on Scripture is frequently filled with gibberish and fabulism.    We have only to recall the medieval  Inquisitions and “How many angels dance on the head of a pin?”  Christianity, however, has not, for the most part, gone in for savagery, since the Age of Enlightenment.

It’s time for a new Enlightenment, with people of goodwill and sincere devotion to truth leading the charge.  Baha’i represents individual investigation of truth, and devotion to the concept of Progressive Revelation.  As do all other human institutions, religion progresses gradually.  Attempts to bring humanity backwards invariably lead to heartache and suffering, all of it unnecessary.  Look for example, at the plight of the Assyrians and Chaldeans, in Iraq.  They are kindred to us Baha’is, and deserve the support of every righteous soul.

“To Light A Candle” is being shown in various locations across the planet, over the next several weeks.  It is worth seeing and pondering, regardless of one’s Faith.

The Road to 65, Mile 90: In-Between Days

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February 26, 2015, Prescott- The Baha’i Faith uses a calendar that consists of nineteen devotional months, of nineteen days each.  That leaves four days, in a 365-day year and 5 days, in a Leap Year, for celebration, gift-giving and acts of service.  I will only say that my service has been done, both inside and outside of my comfort zone, these past few days.  While I don’t like doing things that are unconventional and might attract unwanted attention to myself, I have done so, for the sake of peace in my wider community.  On the other hand, it’s easy for me to pitch in and help with a group activity, as that was always de rigeur in my family, both nuclear and extended.

Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, (February 26-March 1), are always an interesting time, as are the days of the Fast, which follow, from March 2-20. We gather, as a community, and offer hospitality and service to both one another and to the wider community. We are “promised” a five-day storm, starting Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.  Something tells me we will be in for five days of sunshine.  High pressure, around here, is a blessing (tourism magnet) and a curse (One can’t drink dust).  My point is, things are far more unpredictable than usual, this time of year.    I look forward, though, to both the gifts and the challenges, as always.

The Road to 65, Mile 89: Coercion

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February 25, 2015, Prescott-   Only unsettled people coerce others to do what is not needed.  I am getting angry e-mails from the Democrats, yelling about how they don’t see my name among the contributors.  They  won’t, and neither will any other political party.

I get snipped at for not doing Faith-based activities the way the complainant would.  I won’t, either, unless I see the need for it.

A person I am helping wants the assistance to be done in one way, and one way only.  That can be done, as long as my good name is not put in jeopardy and as long as the assistance doesn’t put everything else I am trying to do in jeopardy of neglect.

Coercion, next to betrayal, is the biggest killer of friendships, and other positive relationships.

The Road to 65, Mile 88: Visits

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February 24, 2015, Prescott- This afternoon, I went to a longtime friend’s house, which is in a heavy road construction zone, for a two hour visit.  She’s been deathly ill, for some time now, and only prayers, oil blend supplements (to help with pain) and a listening ear can be offered by yours truly.  After parking down the hill from her home, and negotiating the mud, above-ground sewer pipes and trenches, I brought in a small gift and heard her recollections of childhood and early adulthood.

She and her loving husband have each had a remarkable and productive life.  Her knowledge of antiques has helped preserve a great deal of the heritage central Arizona, and she has contributed much to the Baha’i community here, over more than 40 years. The tradition of elegance that emanates from this little house, on a venerable street in Prescott, will not easily fade.

Visits, especially to the seriously ill, are a key component of any community worthy of the name.  Perhaps the worst fate anyone can suffer is to be forgotten.  So, as often as we each can, the members of this little community call on one another, and keep a close watch on the ones who can’t get out.

This is actually quite a step forward for yours truly, having been happily in a bubble when I was in my twenties.  It’s probably the finest habit imparted to me by my late wife, and she would have been fit to be tied, had I reverted to hermitage.

The Road to 65, Mile 87: Choices

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February 23, 2015, Prescott- When I was deep in mourning, and on the road, one of my closest friends reminded me that everything one does, regardless of circumstances, is the consequence of choice. I got a call, this morning, at 5:47, from one of the districts for which I work.  I was not quite able to wrap my head around getting it together, and opted for a bit more sleep.  On days like this, I am well aware of the consequence, both immediate and down the road.  So have I learned to not blame others for much of anything.

Ann Landers once said, “No one can take advantage of you, without your permission”.  How true, and how often disconcerting. One must have clear boundaries.  The people we let into our lives are going to have expectations and are going to pursue agendas, which may or may not be in keeping with our own goals and plans.  It is up to each of us, whether to play a particular game, or opt out.

Without making conscious choices, a life gets bogged down and the person living it, dependent, bitter and often self-harming.  I have known many, besides myself, who defer decisions, based on excuses and the notion that “Conditions aren’t quite right”. Conditions will never be just so!

The other “tool” that the takers of this world employ, all too well, is guilt.  I have learned to sleep very well at night, doing what I can for the dispossessed and others in need, without going so far as to put myself among their number, through reckless spending at the loud insistence of guilt-mongers.

There is simply no substitute for taking responsibility for one’s own actions and beliefs.