Today is Naw-Rúz, the Baha’i New Year. It marks the start of BE (Baha’i Era) 168 – 168 years since the Bab, the forerunner of the Baha’i prophet, Baha’u’llah, announced that he was a messenger of God.
Naw-Rúz is a time of reflection, renewal, and of new beginnings. It is a time for material and spiritual spring cleaning: a time to cleanse the debris out of your home, and your life. It’s also a time to forgive people, to reconnect with family and friends who you haven’t seen in a long time.
It coincides with the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and with the equinox, when the suns light is spread equally over the world. This is particularly relevant to the Baha’i Faith, as equality is such a central principle of the faith.
My years really do start and end with Naw-Rúz. The year before last, BE 166, was a terribly, terribly year for me. Five people I loved and was very close to died in 166, four of them unexpectedly and tragically young. Everything that could go wrong, did, in 166. And then, come March 21, everything changed. Precisely, and momentously, my life turned around, stepped from darkness to light, all on one day.
Looking back, 167 has been the most wonderful year for me. I’ve made the most amazing friends and strengthen my relationships with the friends and loved ones I already had. My business has grown leaps and bounds, as has my knowledge, and experience. It has been a year of discovery and joy, a year to celebrate.
One of the many blessings in my life this past year has been you, my blog readers and commenters. It’s a daily pleasure to come see what you are saying on your blog, if you keep one, and your responses to my blog. Thank you. Mahalo Nui
I don’t know what 168 will bring for me. I can only hope it will be as good as 167, not just for me, but for you, and your friends and family, and for the world as a whole. We could all use the 180 degree turnaround I saw last March 21 – a total turn from tragedy, and unhappiness, and darkness, to a new year of healing and joy.
My New Year’s prayer is for healing and joy for the world, and my resolution is to do my part to bring it about.
(OK, I’ll lay off on the deep, heavy, introspective posts for a while and go back to showing you pretty frocks now)
Thank you for sharing about your faith, your writing as always is beautiful. Here’s to a positive year of edification!
I think it will be a good year. There have been some pretty scary things happening lately but all they seem to be doing is strengthening everyone’s collective resolve, and that has to be a good thing, right?