Independent as a cow, free as a bird

"No matter how much man gains wealth, riches and opulence in this world, he will not become as independent as a cow. For these fattened cows roam freely over the vast tableland. All the prairies and meadows are theirs for drinking! No matter how much they graze, the fields will not be exhausted! It is evident that they have earned these material bounties with the utmost facility."


"Still more ideal than this life is the life of a bird. A bird, on the summit of a mountain, on the high, wavering branches, has built for itself a nest more beautiful than the palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, the panorama charming and enchanting..."


"...Hence, no matter how much man may advance in this world, he shall not attain to the station of a bird. Thus it becomes evident that int he matters of this world, however much man may strive and work to the point of death, he will be unable to earn the abundance, the freedom and the independent life of a small bird. This proves and establishes the fact that man is not created for the life of this ephemeral world - nay, rather, is he created for the acquirement of infinite perfections, for the attainment to the sublimity of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the throne of everlasting sovereignty! Upon you be Bahá'u'l-Abhá!"


- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan

This picture was taken with my iPhone. I visited an indigenous Baha'i family at an indigenous village/farm. They have a children's class there... in Kitchwa, the language of the indigenous people. I hope to go....


The past week I've been attending an intensive study of the Faith (all in Spanish) with other Baha'i service youth from around Ecuador. My schedule is this:
5:30am - Wake up/ get ready
6:30am - Leave house for school bus
7:00am - School starts
1:30pm - School ends
2:00pm - Join other youth at intensive study
9:00pm - Come back home
11:00pm - After reading my daily NY Time Reader, skyping my mama and papa, writing emails... SLEEP

I wrote to Parisa (my soul sista) describing myself during these days as "exhausted, tired, inspired, motivated, happy, frustrated, and sleepy." She promptly wrote back saying "sounds like you're on the right path to service!" Hahahah. Yes.

And now... sleep. :)