Baha'i Spiritual Virtues

In this episode I am sitting at the breakfast table with Kelsey, Parker and Maeva. We discuss the movie "Luck" and the story "Maybe" which is about a farmer who is neither overjoyed or upset when life presents him with "good" and "bad" luck. We mention the previous episode "Roses" and discuss how we never know what will come from the challenged life has in store for us - and to trust that these challenges that God presents us may, in fact, be gifts. How fitting for this to be the last episode recorded before Kelsey winged her ascent to the Abha Kingdom on July 3rd, 2023. This may have also been the last time Maeva and Kelsey saw each other. What a gift to have it. Bahá'u'lláh said, "Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the Middle Way which is the remembrance of Me in your afflictions and reflection over that which may befall you in future". This quote appears in The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, paragraph 43.

This episode was created in 2021 to help our kindergartener share the Festival of Ayyám-i-Há with his kindergarten school friends. You can find the original YouTube video with subtitles here: CLICK

I was lovingly invited by a Bahá'í friend to share the Faith with her peers - all of whom are studying international education and taking an elective which focuses on learning about each of the major World Religions. They asked me to explain the Bahá'í faith, discuss Bahá'í children's classes, and share my personal experience both with being a Bahá'ï and being involved in teaching children's classes. It was such an honor to be in this space with these amazing educators. If you would like to see the full YouTube Ayyam-i-Ha video you can find it here: CLICK For access to my slides on Canva, find them here: CLICK

In this skit three roses are pruned back for the coming winter by the Gardener. Bewildered and upset the roses have a conversation questioning the Gardener's decision and intentions... Written by Becky and Cliff Buckosh, Narrated by Dana Morand with voice acting by Bennett, Reese and Kelsey. Inspired by the Bahá'í Writings and teachings as well as Ruhi Grade 1.

In this skit the Wizard of Oneness helps two good friends remember that "We are all One" and to remember to treat everyone with utmost kindness and love. Written by Becky and Cliff Buckosh, Narrated by Dana Morand with voice acting by Asher, Bennett & Parker. Inspired by the Bahá'í Writings and teachings as well as Ruhi Grade 1. Song: ONENESS Written and performed by Cliff Buckosh To make your own Wand of Oneness - visit Bahá'í Spiritual Virtues on Instagram or follow this link for a short video showing two different ways to make your own. CLICK

A story demonstrating the important power of cooperation and working together to solve difficult problems. Written by Becky and Cliff Buckosh, Narrated by Dana Morand with voice acting by Reese, Asher, Bennett, Parker and Kelsey. Inspired by the Bahá'í Writings and teachings. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode we read the story The Visitor and talk about how selfless 'Abdu'l-Bahá was and a little bit about his funeral. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes:

In this episode we read the story The Gift and talk about being generous in prosperity and thankful in adversity. We also sing Blessed is the Spot at the end. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a pre-printed PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book when it becomes available. I'll be sure to update that information as it goes live. Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates about MIGHTY's release. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: "Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face." - Bahá'u'lláh Prosperity: Success in excess. Worthy: Good and deserving respect, praise, or attention Ḥuqúqu’lláh—The Right of God a voluntary wealth tax paid by adherents of the Baháʼí Faith to support the work of the religion.[1] Individuals following the practice calculate 19% of their discretionary income (after-tax income minus essential expenses) and send it to the head of the religion, which since 1963 has been the Universal House of Justice. The Ḥuqúqu'lláh payment is considered a way to purify one's possessions.[4] It is an individual obligation; nobody in the general community should know who has or has not contributed, nor should anyone be solicited individually for funds. Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified. - Bahá'u'lláh

In this episode we read the story The Knight and learn about how 'Abdu'l-Bahá saved Haifa and Akka from starvation during WW2 and was Knighted by the British Government for his acts of bravery and compassion. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: * ‘Abdu’l-Bah was in the USA in 1912, and not 1921. For pictures and another written piece - visit Brilliant Star Magazine. "In spite of danger [during the war], ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed calm. He helped families move to the safety of the countryside. He encouraged farmers to grow extra grain on land he owned. Some of the harvest was hidden in ancient Roman storage pits so the Turkish army wouldn’t seize it. The grain helped feed the hungry people of ‘Akká and Haifa when warships prevented food from reaching them."

In this episode we read the story The Roses and talk about slowing down and actually listening to people. We also discussed "seeing" someone and making sure we take the time to notice what someone needs. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: Howard Colby Ives - (1867-1941) was a Unitarian minister who investigated and embraced the Baha'i Faith in the early days of the Faith's establishment in North America. He is perhaps best known for writing Portals of Freedom.

In this episode we read the story The Seat of Honour and talk about racism, racial unity and how deeds matter more than words. *I clumsily try to explain race to my children in this episode. Please have follow-up conversations with your children if they have questions or you feel things need to be explained in a different way. * Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: Louis George Gregory - One of the first Baha'is in America. In 1922 he was the first African American elected to the nine-member National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. He was appointed by Shoghi Effendi in 1951 as a Hand of the Cause. Gregory and Louisa Mathew married on September 27, 1912, becoming the first known Baháʼí interracial couple. Howard University - historically Black university founded in 1867 in Washington, D.C., and named for General Oliver Otis Howard, head of the post-Civil War Freedmen’s Bureau, who influenced Congress to appropriate funds for the school. History of US Racism: I feel it's important when talking about our shared history to remember that African American history started well before slavery in America. Which is why it is important to educate our children about the kings, rulers, and nobles that lived well before slaves were ever brought to the USA. Loving vs. Virginia - June 12, 1967 was a landmark civil rights decision of the U.S. Supreme Courtin which the Court ruled that laws banning interracial marriage violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Loving Day - June 12, Yearly People around the world observe Loving Day every year on June 12th in meaningful and personal ways. While all are welcome, it can be especially significant for interracial couples, multiracial families, mixed race and transracially adopted people, and those with similar lived experience.

In this episode we read the story The Veil and talk about why we treat people with dignity, respect and kindness. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Saturday, November 27th Reluctant: Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined. Veil : a concealing curtain or cover of cloth (K was correct when she was talking about a cape or blanket of fabric on someone's back - she was referring to a wedding veil.) "Love gives life to the lifeless. Love lights a flame in the heart that is cold. Love brings hope to the hopeless and gladdens the hearts of the sorrowful." - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá "Be good to people for no reason." - Be good to people without any expectation of what you'll get back from them. We are good to people because we view them as spiritual beings; as souls worthy of our respect, our kindness and our compassion. *I posted the sign we have in our kitchen at our instagram page! We sang this prayers: "O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful." -Abdu'l-Bahá.

In this episode we read the story The Apple and the Bread and talk about the Twin Holy Days and sacrifice, humility & love. Join us at bedtime as I read a short story about 'Abdu'l-Bahá, also known as The Master, to my two elementary school ages children. We are reading from the new book MIGHTY written by Shirin Taherzedeh and beautifully illustrated by Alissa De Asis. We were generously sent a PDF copy and we highly highly recommend you check out their website and order yourself a book here: CLICK Make sure to follow @FirstValleyBooks for updates. Follow us on Instagram @BahaiVirtuesClass for Bahá’í inspired children's class craft ideas and inspiration. Show Notes: We referenced the Bahá'í Twin Holy Days - The Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh. We talked about three different types of calendars: Lunar - based on the phases of the moon Gregorian - 365 days (also based on the solar calendar) Solar - based on the position of the sun and stars This story took place in 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá lived from 1844-1921 making him 77 years old when he ascended or passed-on. Bahá'u'lláh lived from 1817 - 1892 making him 74 years old when he passed to the Abha Kingdom. The story took place in 'Ishquábád (today in Turkmenistan) and London - Some of the countries bordering Iran and Afghanistan's north, such as Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are sometimes included within the northern borders of the Middle East, but are other times seen as their own Central Asian region alongside Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. To make a sacrifice is to receive a gift. - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá