The Wrestler

wow. loved it. more than I could have ever hoped for. had such a lovely night watching it.

this evening

I volunteer for a youth project each week in an area of Glasgow often associated with poverty and violence. Whilst that certainly exists in this neighborhood, there is also close and beautiful ties of friendship and hospitality to be found, right alongside the squalor and the addiction.
I was struck this evening by the pain and the suffering of some young peoples lives, and was moved and inspired by the heroism and the dedication of the families and workers who try and offer comfort and stability.

I was reminded of Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Baha'u'llah, Prophet Founder of the Baha'i Faith, and who Himself offered so much of His time and love to the people He thought would appreciate kindness, compassion and hospitality. Baha'is look to A'bdul-Bahá as the perfect example of service.

Therefore we also must strive in this pathway of love and service, sacrificing life and possessions, passing our days in devotion, consecrating our efforts wholly to the cause of God, so that, God willing, the ensign of universal religion may be uplifted in the world of mankind and the oneness of the world of humanity be established.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 230)

Rise up this mornin,Smiled with the risin sun

I start uni again full-time today, for my second term of my second year, for 12 weeks. I woke up with the sun shining through my window and a prayer in my mind, which I memorized a couple of years ago when I woke up on a beautiful summers morning.

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá

(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 150)

the last week of my placement

My fourteen week full-time youth work placement came to an end last Friday. It's been wonderful, galvanizing, heartbreaking and inspiring. One of the young people I've been working with was teasing me for accidentally swearing in front of him, and said I wasn't supposed to do that because I was a community worker and a youth worker. For me, that was a huge compliment, because for one of the youth I've been working with to think of me as a professional left me feeling like I was accomplishing something for the people I've been trying to serve.

O Lord! Make this youth radiant, and confer Thy bounty upon this poor creature. Bestow upon him knowledge, grant him added strength at the break of every morn and guard him 38 within the shelter of Thy protection so that he may be freed from error, may devote himself to the service of Thy Cause, may guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless, that all may be blessed with Thy remembrance and praise. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá

(Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 37)


1. O SON OF SPIRIT!
My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.

(Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words)

Royal Rumble

Tonight is one of my favorite pay per views, The Royal Rumble.

This guy, Jeff Hardy;


might lose his heavyweight title to this guy;

my boy Edge, due to interference from the returning;

Christian
with his sidekick;


Tomko

Possible winners of the Rumble could be;


Triple H. Hope not.

Probably Randy Orton though;


That'd be ok.

maybemaybemaybeMAYBE Mr Kennedy. That'd be freakin' awesome;


But I think it'd be really cool if there was a guest appearance by this guy;


Yeah he won the Primaries. Yeah he won the Election. Win the rumble Big O. Then I'll be impressed.

this feels too good to be true

what is yer man on the far right wearing?!

behold, this awesome group of tattooed, bearded, fearsome, electro-folk-rock German demons of madness, known as... In Extremo! This was brought to me today by the letters N and B, thanks Asi!
they have written a song especially for me, which can be enjoyed here, and contains my new favorite lyrics ever...'LIAM LIAM!'

Beards II

legend
hero
awesome
inspiring
wispy