Hagh_Goo

2011-11-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

آنان که رفتند کاری حسینی کردند ... آنان که ماندند کاری زینبی کنند که وگرنه یزیدیند" ...

و این ماییم و این تکرار حماسه حسین در هر لحظه, همیشه و هر جا ... که چه خوب گفته اند که ... "هر روزی عاشورا است و هر زمینی کربلا

2009-12-18T17:16:00.000-08:00

Be pure ... be pure ...
It does not matter if you be a small pond or an ocean ... If you be pure and transparent, the sky is in you ...

***
[Free translation of a sequence of beautiful and wise words by late Nelson Mandela, Thanks to Dr. Banaei-Kashani]

2009-10-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

2009-04-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

باور داشتن به امام مهدی (عج)و فلسفه انتظار، به نظر من، به معنی نشستن و دست روی دست گذاشتن نیست که فقط بگیم یکی‌ میاد از تبار پیامبر و عدل رو در زمین جاری میکنه و ما هم خوش حال میشیم و همین ... بلکه انتظار یعنی‌ آمادگی ... یعنی‌ فراهم سازی نیروها و رشد دادن استعدادها ... تا وقتی‌ که زمین به نور مبارک ایشان روشن شد همه چیز برای اجرای فرمان حق توسط ایشان فراهم باشه.

مثل وقتی‌ که منتظر مهمان هستی‌ و قرار هست عزیزی بیاد که خیلی‌ کارش درست هست و میدونی‌ که با اومدنش کلی‌ از مسائل اهل خانه رو حل میکنه و به انجام میرسونه ... اون وقت میری خانه رو جارو کنی‌، تمیز کنی‌ و ... و خودت رو برای مهمان حاضر کنی‌ و از اون مهمتر "زمینه سازی" کنی‌ برای اجرای تدبیر آن عزیز برای حل مشکلات اهل منزل ...

حمید جان ... من خیلی‌ رو این موضوع فکر کردم ولی‌ تنبلی من و مشغلهٔ این زندگی‌ پر از دغدغه‌های دنیا نگذاشته که جواب خیلی‌ متقن و موثق تری برای اینها پیدا کنم ... ولی‌ ... فکر می‌کنم ...

باور به مهدی (علیه سلام) ... باور به نجات یافتن "فقط عده قلیلی در آخر زمان" نیست ... باور به مهدی ... باور به نجات یافتن "بشرییت" هستش ...

اینکه بدونی این دنیا دیگه اینقدر هم بی‌ حساب نیست ... اینکه بدونی خدا به قولش عمل میکنه ... قهرمان پروری نیست قطعا بلکه امتحانی‌ هست برا ما ... همهٔ ما، که چقدر به آمدن این مهمان باور داریم و چقدر در "زمینه سازی" برای ظهورش کوشا هستیم ...

فرقش شاید با همون مثال "قهرمان پروری" این باشه که دست رو دست نمیگذاریم تا یک "قهرمان" بیاد و وضع ما خوب بشه و بعدش همه چی‌ فراموش ... خودمون با کارهئ خوب و "خانه تکونی دلهامون" از وجود مقدسش دعوت می‌کنیم که شاید ما رو هم جزو سرباز هاش داشته باشه ...

یا حق

2009-01-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

اگر یعقوب (ع) پیراهنی از یوسف داشت که یاد عزیزی باشد برایش، زینب (ع) نه که پیراهنی از برادر خفته به خون که داغی داشت بس سترگ در دل و آتشی که جانها را میسوخت از آتشی که در خیام افتاده بود و حقی‌ که در روشنی روز و در برابر چشمان نامردان به خاک افتاده بود و بر زمین مانده

نامردانی که چه شادیها کرده بودند که پسر فاطمه (ع) را کشته اند و خود مانده اند پیروز ... که فردا دیگر نامی‌ از حسین (ع) در میان نخواهد بود و آنانند نامی‌ میدان ...وچه کور خوانده بودند ... چه دون بودند و بی‌ مقدار که بیدار همیشه تاریخ را مرده میخواستند و خون خدا را ریخته می‌‌انگاشتند

و این زینب (ع) بود و علی‌ زینت سجده کنندگان (ع) که سخنانی آتشین در دل داشتند از آنچه امروزظهربر پدر و برادران گذشته بود ... آن جلوه‌های عشق و فداکاری، ازادگی و رادمردی و حق‌هایی‌ که چه زیبا بودند و پاک ولی‌ لشگری از مردگان و نفرین شدگان آنان را مرده می خواستند و بر زمین افتاده

زمین و آسمانها امروز گریستند ... نه بر حسین (ع) و یاران اهورایی اش ... که بر محرومیت این خاک گریستند از ولی‌ (ع) و بر تنهایی‌ خلایق از امام ... بر خواری آن سپاهی گریستند و دل سوختند که غروب عاشورا را تبرک میکرد و شادی ... بر تنهایی‌ اسیران گریستند و بر داغی که در دل زینب و سجاد (ع) مانده بود و بر سنگینی‌ باری از روشنگری که بر دوش آنان بود
بر تنهایی‌ زمین گریستند از حجت حق

برمحرومیت خود گریستند و گریستند ... و هنوز هم میگریند بر من و تویی که هر روز و در هر جا نالهٔ مستمندی و فریاد کمک خواهی‌ را ندیده میگیریم و ناشنیده ... بر مایی که بس مشغول دنیا هستیم و چه دوریم شاید

امروز آسمانها و زمین گریستند ... و می‌‌گریند بر محرومیت خود، بر غربت ولی‌ و بر ما که چه مشغولیم به این دنیا و چه دوریم از ولی‌ که پیوسته فریاد میدارد: "هل من ناصرن ینصرنی؟

"

***

[The holy shrine of Imam Hossein (PBUH), Karbala, Iraq; Photo taken by Ali Khaligh]

2009-01-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

Today, is the day of Ashura ...

The day that centuries ago, a piece of land called "Karbala" witnessed it all ... that ... how brave a "small group of dedicated souls" can make history ... It witnessed by itself that how beautiful it gets when a small group of people who just "chose" to want nobody but Hagh, showed the generations not to keep silent seeing an unjust and not to accept whatever except Him (Allah) the Almighty and His eternal rule ...

Today is Ashura ... and they say ... "Every day is Ashura" ...

Today, not very far from our homes, people are dying in masses ... human rights are being ignored and trashed every single minute ... In Gaza, in Iran, in Iraq, in Afghanistan ... and in many many other places ... women and kids are always the main victims ... Nobody hears the cries of the voiceless asking for help from savage, brutality and ignorance ...

Today, the "unjust" is present and powerful than ever before ... If the "unjust" was obvious at that time, today they are often dressed as "just" and are very well justified ...

Today, Imam (Salaam khodaa bar oo va rooh-e man fadaay-e vojood-e nazanin-e oo) is lonelier than ever ... There are not even 72 people around him! ... and the army of Yazid is stronger and crowded than ever before ...

Today, "Oliyaay-e Khodaa" (Salaam Hagh bar aanaan) are very alone ... have been surrounded by the unjust evil and lost and confused supporters ... No helpers! ... No supporters! and no defenders!

Today is Ashura ... the dawn of a night that we all gathered in Masjids and cried for Imam Hossein (PBUH) but ... again on this very day ... we have left him alone again, by going after our businesses, our classes, our researches and after our daily errands ... and he ... who is asking for help by his last power that "Is there anyone from helpers to help me?" ... and where are "we" standing now? ...

Today is Ashura ... and this very land is Karbala ...

If then, it was only one piece of land called "Karbala" ... today, the whole world is our Karbala ...

Today is Ashura ... May every day for us be Ashura ...

2008-10-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was my birthday ... and next week ... will be the second birthday of "Hagh Goo" blog ...

This tradition of celebrating birthdays could be truly an interesting one if we pay proper attention and always be present to its true meaning ... the concept of "re-birth" every year ... dying from whatever we were and being born into new ourselves ... blossoming all the beautiful of divine and human values into ourselves in every single year in our birthdays ...

May we all be able to be so ...

خدا دفعه اول به آدمها کمک می کند تا به دنیا بیایند. اما دفعه های بعد هر کس باید خودش به دنیا بیاید. یا بهتر است بگوییم: خودش، خودش را به دنیا آورد و این خیلی سخت است.

بعضی ها فکر می کنند همین که یکبار به دنیا آمدند، برای تمام عمرشان بس است. برای همین است که معمولاً آدمها فقط یک روز تولد دارند و توی شناسنامه ها فقط یک تاریخ تولد را می نویسند. شاید تقصیر شناسنامه هاست.

اگر توی شناسنامه ها یک عالمه جا، برای تاریخ تولد بود، آن وقت هرکس می توانست هر بار که متولد می شود، توی شناسنامه اش وارد کند، آن وقت می شد فهمید کی از همه بزرگتر است: کسی که بیشتر از همه متولد شده است.

اما واقعاً متولد شدن به این راحتی ها هم نیست. برای همین است که بیشتر آدمها به همان اولین تولدشان قناعت می کنند و هر سال همان اولی را جشن می گیرند.

شما چند بار متولد شدید؟

شاید بشود تولد را هم مثل خیلی چیزهای دیگر یاد گرفت. پس باید به سراغ آنهایی برویم که متولد شدن را بلدند.

شاید درخت، همین درخت روبروی پنجره بداند. کاش می شد از او بپرسیم که چطور می تواند اینقدر بمیرد و اینقدر به دنیا بیاید. خوش به حالش؛ چون شناسنامه اش پر از تاریخ تولد است. تاریخ تولدهای سبز.

عرفان نظرآهاری

***
[Thanks to Mrs. H. Azimi for sharing this beautiful piece by Erfan Nazar-Ahari]

Let us rejoice indeed ... This is the day of Eid ...

2008-10-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

How beautiful day it was today, seeing the smiling faces of many excited kids dressed in their best clothes walking towards the praying halls all around the town with their parents ... Greetings, embracing and welcoming words ... It was indeed the spirit of joy ... The heavenly moments of rejoice ... the very beautiful day of Eid al-Fitr ...

Happy Eid to you all ... May all the prayers and supplications be accepted by the Almighty God, The most compassionate and The most glorious ...

It is raining again ...

2008-09-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

Listening to the whispers of the light breeze ...
Accompanied by the heavenly song of trees ...

This beautiful tranquility of night ...
On the streets all are covered in light ...

How free and happy I feel ...
Thinking of you again ...

2008-08-26T19:42:00.001-07:00

Some day ...
I will be free of this body ...

Some day ...
I will give two wings to my soul ...

I did not belong here ...
It would be easy for me to go ...

When you call upon me ...

It would be easy for me then ...
To leave it all here and fly ...

To you ... To you and only you ...

Impossible is Nothing ...

2008-07-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

"... Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it.

... Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion ...

... Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare ... Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.

... Impossible is nothing ..."

[Muhammad Ali]

2008-06-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

"The main issue is this ... Whenever you segregate a minority, you inevitably discriminate against that minority. That is the issue ..."

[Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) in his address in Chicago, 1966]

***

[Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia, Free online encyclopedia]

Everything is a miracle ...

2008-05-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.
[Albert Einstein]

A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?
[Albert Einstein]

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
[Albert Einstein]

***
[Quotes by Albert Einstein, Photo: Piano Rose from Flickr]

2008-05-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

What a great day it would be when schools get all the budget they needed ... and the Armed Forces and Air Forces had to "raise funds" and organize "soda and hot dog sales" to collect the money to purchase a bomber aircraft!!!

What a great day it would be indeed ...

***
[Thanks to Amir Sadjadpour for sharing the beautiful words, Photo: Courtesy of UNICEF]

This beautiful journey of life ...

2008-05-05T20:41:00.001-07:00

They say:
"You have not really lived unless you have a lot to regret" ...

That is the beautiful way of new experiences ... and the story of courageous people who always welcome new situations ...

Because when others might see "risks" ... they see "opportunities" ...

2008-04-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

The river waves are passing gently in my mind ... with flower petals on every wave ... I see the face of my beloved in them ...

The gardens have become full of tulips ... full of flowers ... full of beauties ... full of memories of my sweetheart ...

It is only us who have blossomed this late and faded out this early ...
Oh! It is bitterly true that life of the flowers is as short as the spring ...

...

Every time I pass by the memories ... whenever I see a shadow by the door ... It reminds me of you ...

It is only us who have blossomed this late and faded out this early ...

Oh! It is bitterly true that life of the flowers is as short as the spring ...

***
[Free translation of the Azeri song "Lachin", Photo by Ms. Nikrazm]

2008-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

"... Wherever I be, the sky is mine ... The windows, the ideas, the air ...
Love is mine ..."

[Sohrab Sepehri, Iranian contemporary poet and artist]

***
[Photo: Spring flowers of Talesh, Northwestern city in Beautiful Iran, by Iranian photographer, Mr. Moghimi]

Tragedies that we are suffering through ...

2008-04-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

When the peaceful instructions of love, blessing and care brought by Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) ... are being mal-defined, mal-described and mal-interpreted by a "politician" ... to ignite an evil flame and burn the entire world ...

***
[Photo: Courtesy of Times Online, Aug. 9th 2007]

Word of wisdom ...

2008-04-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

"How beautiful it is when men of power go to visit the spiritual leaders ... and how ugly it gets when spiritual leaders come to visit the politicians ..." [Words of wisdom]

Never get disappointed ...

2008-04-18T01:27:00.000-07:00

O' God! ... Pour your blessings over a man whose best thing to offer is his "hope to be forgiven" and the most effective weapon of his is "cryings to be blessed" and has nothing in hands except his "(pure)prayings towards you" ...

O' The most beloved! ... The Almighty! ... Your name and your remembrance are indeed the best sources of healing for all the souls ...

Pour your blessings over ones who have come to You ... and have not found anyone better than you to take their deeds to ... Take them all ... accept them all ... You are the most merciful and the most compassionate ...

***
[Free translation of the words of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him), Photo: The art of calligraphy stating "Do not get disappointed by God's mercy" ... Thanks to Hooman for sharing it]

Mehdi Bakeri ... A hero, more humble than the humbleness ...

2008-04-08T01:24:00.000-07:00

دختر خانه بودم. داشتم تلویزیون تماشامی کردم . مصاحبه ای بود با شهردار شهرمان . یک خورده که حرف زد، خسته شدم سرش را انداخته بود پایین و آرام آرام حرف می زد. باخودم گفتم این دیگه چه جور شهرداریه؟ حرف زدن هم بلد نیست. بلند شدم و تلویزیون را خاموش کردم . چند وقت بعد همین آقای شهردار شریک زندگیم شد

هرچه به عنوان هدیه ی عروسی به مان دادند، جمع کردیم کنار هم به م گفت ما که اینا رو لازم نداریم. حاضری یه کار خیر باهاش بکنی؟ گفتم مثلا چی ؟ گفت کمک کنیم به جبهه . گفتم قبول ! بردمشان در مغازه ی لوازم منزل فروشی . همه شان رادادم، ده پانزده تا کلمن گرفتم

شهردار که بود ، به کار گزینی گفته بود از حقوقش بگذارند روی پول کارگرهای دفتر. بی سرو صدا ، طوری که خودشان نفهمند.

باران خیلی تند می آمد. به م گفت من می رم بیرون گفتم توی این هوا کجا می خوای بری؟ جواب نداد. اصرار کردم . بالاخره گفت می خوای بدونی ؟ پاشو تو هم بیا. با لندرور شهرداری راه افتادیم توی شهر. نزدیکی های فرودگاه یک حلبی آباد بود. رفتیم آنجا. توی کوچه پس کوچه هایش پر از آب و گل و شل. آب وسط کوچه صاف می رفت توی یکی از خانه ها. در خانه را که زد، پیرمردی آمد دم در. ما راکه دید، شروع کرد به بد و بی راه گفتن به شهردار. می گفت آخه این چه شهردایه که ما داریم؟ نمی آد یه سری به مون بزنه ، ببینه چی می کشیم. آقا مهدی گفت خیله خب پدرجان . اشکال نداره . شما یه بیل به ما بده، درستش می کنیم؟ پیرمرد گفت برید بابا شماهام! بیلم کجا بود. از یکی از هم سایه ها بیل گرفتیم. تا نزدیکی های اذان صبح توی کوچه ، راه آب می کندیم.

از شهردای یک بنز داده بودند بهش . سوارش نمی شد. فقط یک بار داد ازش استفاده کردند؛ داد به پرورشگاه. عروسی یکی از دخترا بود. گفت ماشینو گل بزنین واسه ی عروس

عملیات که شروع شد، تازه فهمیدیم صد کیلومتر از مرز را داده دست نیروهای اهل سنت. بیش ترشان هم محلی . توی جلسه ی توجیهی هم هیچ حرفی نزده بود. عین صد کیلومتر را حفظ کردند؛ با کمترین تلفات و خسات . اگر قبل از عملیات می گفت، خیلی ها مخالفت می کردند

توی آبادان، رفته بود جبهه ی فیاضیه، شده بود خمپاره انداز شهید شفیع زاده دیده بانی می کرد و گرا به ش می داد ، اوهم می زد. همان روزهایی که آبادان محاصره بود. روزی سه تا گلوله ی خمپاره ی صد وبیست هم بیش تر سهمیه نداشتند. این قدر می رفتند جلو تا مطمئن شوند گلوله ایشان به هدف می خورد. تعریف می کردند ، می گفتند یک بار شفیع زاده با بی سیم گفته بوده یه هدف خوب دارم. گلوله بده . آقا مهدی به گفته بوده سه تامون رو زده یم. سهمیه ی امروزمون تمومه .

فکش اذیتش می کرد. دکتر معاینه کرد و گفت فردا بیا بیمارستان. باید عکس می گرفت. عکسش که آماده شد، رفتیم دکتر بیند. وسط راه غیبش زد. توی راه روهای بیمارستان دنبالش می گشتیم. دکتر داشت می رفت. بالاخره پیداش کردم. یک نفر را کول کرده بود داشت از پله ها می برد بالا . یک پیرمرد

به ش گفتم توی راه که برمی گردی، یه خورده کاهو و سبزی بخر.گفت من سرم خیلی شلوغه ، می ترسم یادم بره. روی یه تیکه کاغذ هرچی می خوای بنویس، به م بده.همان موقع داشت جیبش راخالی می کرد. یک دفترچه ی یاداشت و یک خودکار در آورد گذاشت زمین . برداشتمشان تا چیزهایی که می خواستم تویش بنویسم یک دفعه به م گفت ننویسی ها! جا خوردم. نگاهش که کردم، به نظرم کمی عصبانی شده بود. گفتم مگه چی شده؟ گفت اون خوداری که دستته مال بیت الماله.گفتم من که نمی خوام کتاب باهاش بنویسم. دو سه تا کلمه که بیش تر نیست. گفت نه

- دیر به دیر می آمد. اما تا پایش را می گذاشت توی خانه بگو بخندمان شروع می شد . خانه مان کوچک بود؛ گاهی صدایمان می رفت طبقه ی پایین. یک روز همسایه پایینی به م گفت به خدا این قده دلم می خواد یه روز که آقا مهدی می یاد خونه لای در خونه تون باز باشه ، من ببینم شما دو تا زن و شوهر به هم دیگه چی می گید، این قدر می خندید؟

توی ماشین داشت اسلحه خالی می کرد؛ با دو- سه تا بسیجی دیگر. از عرق روی لباس هایش می شد فهمید چه قدر کار کرده . کارش که تمام شد همین که از کنارمان داشت می رفت، به رفیقم گفت چه طوری مشد علی؟ به علی گفتم کی بود این؟ گفت مهدی باکری ؛ جانشین فرمانده تیپ. گفتم پس چرا داره بار ماشین رو خالی می کنه؟ گفت یواش یواش اخلاقش می آد دستت.

وقت نماز جماعت که می شد، اصرار می کرد من جلو بایستم. قبول نمی کردم. من یک بسیجی ساده بودم و آقا مهدی فرمانده لشکر. نمی توانستم قبول کنم . بهانه می آوردم. اما تقریبا همیشه آقا مهدی زورش بیش تر بود. چند بار شد که با حرف هایش گریه م انداخت. می گفت شما جای پدر و عموی ماهایید شا باید جلو وایستید. بعضی وقت ها خودش را از من قایم می کرد، نماز که تمام می شد، توی صف می دیدمش یا بعضی وقت ها بچه ها می گفتند که آقا مهدی هم بودها

رفته بود شناسایی ؛ تنها ، با موتور هوندایش . تا صبح هم نیامد. پیدایش که شد، تمام سر صورت و هیکلش خاکی بود، حتا توی دهانش . این قدر خاک توی دهانش بود که نمی توانست حرف بزند

- هرسه تاشان فرمان ده لشکر بودند ؛ مهدی باکری ، مهدی زین الدین و اسدی. می خواستیم نماز جماعت بخوانیم . همه اصرار می کردند یکی از این سه تا جلو بایستند، خودشان از زیرش در می رفتند. این به آن حواله می کرد، آن یکی به این . بالاخره زور دو تا مهدی ها بیش تر شد، اسدی را فرستادند جلو. بعد از نماز شام خوردیم .غذا را خودشان سه تایی برای بچه ها می آوردند . نان و ماست.

- اخوی ؛ بیا یه دستی به چراغای ماشین بزن. شرمنده ، کار دارم. دستم بنده . برو فردا بیا. باید همین امشب برم خط. بی چراغ نمی شه که . می بینی که ، دارم لباس هام رو می شورم. الانم که دیگه هوا داره تاریک می شه. برو فردا بیا، مخلصتم هستم، خودم درستش می کنم . اصلا من لباس ها رو می شورم، تو هم چراغ ماشین من رو درست کن. هر چه قدر به ش گفت آقا مهدی ! به خدا شرمنده م ، ببخشید. نمی خواد بشوری. گفت ما با هم قرار داد بستیم . برو سرکارت ، بذار منم کارم رو بکنم.

اولین روز عملیات خیبر بود. از قسمت جنوبی جزیره ، با یک ماشین داشتم بر می گشتم عقب. توی راه دیدم یک ماشین با چراغ روشن داشت می آمد. این طور راه رفتن توی آن جاده ، آن هم روز اول عملیات، یعنی خودکشی.جلوی ماشین راگرفتم. داننده آقا مهدی بود. به ش گفتم چرا این جوری می ری؟ می زننت ها .گفت می خوام به بچه ها روحیه بدم. عراقی ها رو هم بترسونم. می خوام یه کاری کنم او نا فکر کنن نیروهامون خیلی زیاده

یکیشان با آفتابه آب می ریخت ، آن یکی سرش را می شست . به ت می گم کم کم بریز. خیله خب. حالا چرا این قدر می گی؟- می ترسم آب آفتابه تموم بشه. خب بشه می رم یه آفتابه دیگه آب می آرم.رفته بود برایش آب بیاورد که به ش گفتم خوبه دیگه ! حالا فرمانده لشکر باید بیان سر آقا رو بشورن! گفت چی می گی؟ حالت خوبه ؟ گفتم مگه نشناختیش؟گفت نه

دست برد یک قاچ خربزه بردارد، اما دستش را کشید ؛ انگار یاد چیزی افتاده بودم. گفتم واسه ی شما قاچ کرده م بفرمایید. ! نخورد . هرچه اصرار کردم ، نخورد . قسمش دادم که این ها را با پول خودم خریده م و الان فقط برای شما قاچ کرده ام. باز قبول نکرد. گفت بچه ها توی خط از این چیزا ندارن

پیرمرد نگذاشت آقا مهدی برود توی حمام . به ش گفت بازدید بی بازدید. لازم نکرده نیگا کنی . اگه می خوای بری تو ، می ری مثل بقیه توی صف وا می ایستی تا نوبتت بشه. رفت توی صف تا نوبتش بشود

یخ نمی رفت توی کلمن . با مشت کوبیدم روش. به م گفت الله بنده سی . توی خونه ی خودت هم این جوری کلمن رو یخ می ریی؟ اگه مادرت بفهمه این بلا رو سرکلمن می آری چی می گه ؟

- لودر گیر کرده بود؛ بقیه ی ماشین ها پشتش . راننده هرکاری کرد، نتوانست دربیاید. گفت برادر من ، اگه گاز کمتری بدی خودش درمی آد. راننده عصبانی شد و گفت من دو ساعته با این لکنتی ور می رم نتونسته م درش بیارم. حالا تو از راه نرسیده ، می گی این کار رو بکن، این کار رو نکن؟ اگه راست می گی خودت بیا درش بیار. حاجی الله اکبر که گفت ماشین در آمد. راننده از خوشحالی نمی دانست چه کار کند. به ش که گفتند کی بوده ، از خجالت سرخ شد

***

[Courtesy of http://www.sajed.ir]

For childhood whispers of Samin Baghchehban ...

2008-04-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

There are some people in this world who ... when they leave us ... it is like ... they take a part of our memories with them too ...
Mr. Samin Baghchebaan (Rest in Peace) ... when left ... took all the beautiful childhood songs he composed for generations after generation of Iranian kids ...

Being a son for such a great honorable father who established the very first "Children Garden" for Iranian deaf kids ... Samin and his wife devoted all their life to writing beautiful heavenly songs for the kids ... bringing them hope in the tough days of political unrests and war ...

May his soul be in eternal peace ...

Rain again ... The heavenly smell in the air ...

2008-03-26T12:54:00.001-07:00

For This Glorious Birthday of God's Beloved Messenger ...

2008-03-25T23:06:00.000-07:00

5 years of blood ... dirty profits makings ... with no end in sight ... (II)

2008-03-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

An American soldier trying to save a wounded child ... Indeed, children are the most vulnerable and the true victims of this blood bath that the dirty profit makers have made ...

How much the war has changed the nature of the games among Iraqi children ... What would be the future of these kids witnessing all this terror and violance? ...

"Tired of all this" ... An American soldier is taking a nap in a destroyed school classroom ...

"Be strong, kid!" ... An American kid receiving the bitter message of his father being killed in Iraq ...

An Iraqi hopeless mother carrying the dead body of her child asking for help ...

To you "Mr. President" on behalf of all 3,987 killed and 29,000 wounded American troops ... on behalf of more than 85,000 killed Iraqi civilians as well as nearly 1.8 Million refugees and displaced [Wikipedia]...
Such a great honor to have you in command ... We are sure you will carry this honor forever in history books for the next generations to be aware of ...

5 years of blood ... violance and terror ... with no end in sight ... (I)

2008-03-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

An Iraqi merchant looking back to his home and shop in Baghdad been destroyed in the bombings ... He is one of the thousands suffering heavily of this look-like-WWII war.

An American soldier hugs her child firmly with emotions ... Back from Iraq in the airport to join her family ...

Two little Iraqi kids staring at the armed American soldier ... The psychologists have explicitly expressed their many concerns about the future of these kids seeing nothing every day but the killings and the violence ...

An Iraqi man shouting for help to a kid who lost his feet while cycling ... How many of these scenes are happening every single day? ... and ...

A group of anti-war protesters demonstrating in the streets of Boston, MA ... When will this terrible silence of the world leaders towards all these brutalities end? ...

Happy Nowrooz ... The first day of spring ...

2008-03-21T17:58:00.001-07:00

O'God ... The Almighty ...

O' The one ... who revolutionize the hearts and the eyes ...
O' The one ... in whose hands are all the nights and the days ...
O' The one ... who change the beings and gettings ...

[Help us] change our beings to the best being ever ...

***

Happy Nowrooz to you all ...
The first day of the spring ... The reanimation of the nature ...
The best reminder of change ... towards the better being ... on the way to the beloved ...

As blue as the sky ...

2008-03-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

On the moment that I am ready to pass on ...
I will be thinking of you ...

On the moment that I am ready to go ...
I will be thinking of you ...

In every word of the songs ...
In every piece of the music ...

In every wisdom I will seek ...
In every beauty I will see ...

I will be thinking of you ...
I will be looking for you ...

***
[Photography: Heavenly Shower by Pink Hibiscus, Flicker.com]

2008-03-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

I believe it is really common in the lifespan of any blogger or a blog to experience some delays in the posts ... The delays that mostly are there due to the fact that the blogger can not find any interesting thing to share with the readers at certain times ... or maybe he is ...

Anyways ... May spring and reanimation of the magnificent beauties of nature be good motives in inspiring me to write more often ...

Happy Nowrooz in advance ... Beautiful spring is just here ...

Love ...

2008-02-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

This was the picture being awarded BBC Photography Prize for "Love" ... The simplicity of it and the purity within ... I thought of sharing it in here ...

Mother Teresa ...

2008-02-17T23:33:00.000-08:00

"Everything that we do (in helping the needy) is just a drop in the ocean, but if we do not do it, that drop will be missing forever ..."
[Mother Teresa, 1910-1997]

***
[Photo: Mother Teresa, Courtesy of www.excerptsofinri.com]

2008-02-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

If you want to realize your value in the eyes of Almighty ... Try to realize the value of his "presence" in your heart when you are about to do something wrong or commit a sin ...

2008-01-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

O' God! ... O' The most beloved ...

Take away from me whatever takes "you" away from me ...

2008-01-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

خواب دیدم خواب اینکه مرده ام
خواب دیدم خسته و افسرده ام
روی من خروارها از خاک بود
وای قبر من چه وحشتناک بود
تا میان گور رفتم دل گرفت
قبر کن سنگ لحد را گل گرفت
بالش زیر سرم از سنگ بود
غرق وحشت سوت و کور و تنگ بود
ناله می کردم ولیکن بی جواب
تشنه بودم تشنه ی یک جرعه آب
خسته بودم هیچ کس یارم نشد
زان میان یک تن خریدارم نشد
هر که آمدپیش حرفی راند و رفت
سوره ی حمدی برایم خواند و رفت
نه شفیقی نه زفیقی نه کسی
ترس بود و وحشت و دلواپسی

آمدند ازراه نزدم دو ملک
تیره شد در پیش چشمانم فلک
یک ملک گفتا بگو نام تو چیست
آن یکی فریاد زد رب تو کیست
ای گنهکار سیه دل بسته پر
نام اربابان خود یک یک ببر
در میان عمر خود کن جستجو
کارهای نیک و زشتت را بگو
گفتنم عمر خودت کردی تباه
نامه ی اعمال تو گشته سیاه
ما که ماموران حق داوریم
اینک تو را سوی جهنم می بریم
دیگر آنجا عذر خواهی دیر بود
دست و پایم بسته در زنجیر بود
ناامید از هر کجا ودلفکار
می کشیدندم به خفت سوی نار

ناگهان الطاف حق آغاز شد
ازجنان درهای رحمت باز شد
مردی آمد از تبار آسمان
نورپیشانیش فوق کهکشان
چشمهایش زندگانی می سرود
درد را از قلب آدم می زدود
گیسوانش شط پر جوش و خروش
در رکابش قدسیان حلقه به گوش
صورتش خورشید بود وغرق نور
جام چشمانش پر از شرب طهور
لب که نه سر چشمه ی آب حیات
بین دستش کائنات و ممکنات
خاک پایش حسرت عرش برین
طره یی ازگیسویش حبل المتین
بر سرش دستار سبزی بسته بود
به دلم مهرش عجب بنشسته بود
در قدوم آن نگار مه جبین
از جلال حضرت عشق آفرین
دو ملک سر را به زیر انداختند
بال خود را فرش راهش ساختند
غرق حیرت داشتند این زمزمه
آمده اینجا حسین فاطمه
صاحب روزقیامت آمده
گوئیا بهر شفاعت آمده

سوی من آمد مرا شرمنده کرد
مهربانانه به رویم خنده کرد
گفت آزادش کنید این بنده را
خانه آبادش کنید این بنده را
اینکه اینجا این چنین تنها شده
کام او با تربت من وا شده
مادرش او را به عشقم زاده است
گریه کرده بعد شیرش داده است
اینکه می بینید در شور است و شین
ذکر لا لا ئیش بوده یا حسین
دیگران غرق خوشی و هلهله
دیدم او را غرق شور و هروله

سینه چاک آل زهرا بوده است
چای ریز مجلس ما بوده است
خویش را در سوزعشقم آب کرد
عکس من را بر دل خود قاب کرد
اسم من راز و نیازش بوده است
خاک من مهر نمازش بوده است
پرچم من را به دوشش می کشید
پا برهنه در عزایم می دوید
اقتدا بر خواهرم زینب نمود
گاه می شد صورتش بهرم کبود

حرمت من را به دنیا پاس داشت
ارتباطی تنگ با عباس داشت
نذر عباسم به تن کرده کفن
روز تاسوعا شده سقای من
گریه کرده چون برای اکبرم
با خود او را نزد زهرا می برم
در قیامت عطر و بویش می دهم
پیش مردم آبرویش می دهم
باز بالاتر به روز سر نوشت
میشود همسایه ی من در بهشت
آری آری هر که پا بست من است
نامه ی اعمال او دست من است

شاعر:امیر حسین میر حسینی

***

[Photo: "God's peace upon those who remember Imam Hossein (Peace Be Upon Him)", Thanks to Davood for sharing the image]

Rise above frustration ...

2008-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Put your frustrations in perspective, and most of them will disappear.
Refuse to get caught up in them, and those frustrations will have no power over you.

Small inconveniences and minor disappointments can lead to major disruptions if you let them.
But you don't have to let them.

When you feel frustration starting to overwhelm you, choose to step back a little bit.
Sure, the situation may be absurd and outrageous, but is it really all that important?

Your ego likes to make you blow the little things far out of proportion, because it's an easy way to feel important.

Yet it can also be an enormous waste of your time and energy, not to mention the negative impact it has on your attitude.

As much as possible, give the frustrations some distance.
Get away from them to a place where you can calmly think through your options, and

you'll find that there's almost never any need to be frustrated.
Rise above the pettiness of wasteful frustrations, with a smile on your face and generosity in your heart.

And you'll be able to clearly see a fast, effective, fulfilling way forward.

By: Ralph Marston, March 2007

***
[Photo: Heavenly beautiful forests of Arasbaran, Northwestern Iran]

A story of love ...

2008-01-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

یادم می آد وقتی بچه بودم، یک شب با پدرم در صف خرید بلیط سیرک وایستاده بودیم. جلوی ما یک خانواده پرجمعیت ایستاده بودند. به نظر می رسید پول زیادی نداشتند. شش بچه که همگی زیر دوازده سال بودند، لباس های کهنه ولی در عین حال تمیـز پوشیده بودنـد. بچه ها همگی با ادب بودند. دوتا دوتا پشت پدر و مادرشان، دست همدیگر را گرفته بودند و با هیجان در مورد برنامه ها و شعبده بازی هایی که قرار بود ببینند، صحبت می کردند. مادر بازوی شوهرش را گرفته بود و با عشق به او لبخند می زد.

وقتی به باجه بلیط فروشی رسیدند، متصدی باجه از پدر خانواده پرسید:« چند عدد بلیط می خواهید؟» پدر جواب داد: « لطفاً شش بلیط برای بچه ها و دو بلیط برای بزرگسالان.» متصدی باجه، قیمت بلیط ها را گفت. پدر به باجه نزدیکتر شد و به آرامی پرسید:« ببخشید، گفتید چه قدر؟» متصدی باجه دوباره قیمت بلیط ها را تکرار کرد. پدر و مادر بچه ها با ناراحتی زمزمه کردند. معلوم بود که مرد پول کافی نداشت. حتماً فکر می کرد که به بچه های کوچکش چه جوابی بدهد؟

ناگهان پدرم دست در جیبش برد و یک اسکناس بیست دلاری بیرون آورد و روی زمین انداخت. بعد خم شد، پول را از زمین برداشت، به شانه مرد زد و گفت: « ببخشید آقا، این پول از جیب شما افتاد!» مرد که متوجه موضوع شده بود، همان طور که اشک از چشمانش سرازیر می شد، گفت:« متشکرم آقا.» پدر خانواده مرد شریفی بود ولی درآن لحظه برای اینکه پیش بچه ها شرمنده نشود، کمک پدرم را قبول کرد.

بعد از این که بچه ها داخل سیرک شدند، من و پدرم از صف خارج شدیم و به طرف خانه حرکت کردیم.

منبع: عشق بدون قید و شرط

***

[Thanks to my dear friend Dr. Amir Sadjadpour for sharing this beautiful subtle story of care and pure love ... ]

2007-12-31T18:44:00.000-08:00

When I miss you ... and I be gone by all my loneliness ...
When thinking of you fills my soul so much ...

I start singing ...

Then ... I sing for all the open windows ...
Towards all the beauties ...
Sharing this inflaming heart of mine ...
The blazing love of thyself ...
The loneliness and tranquility within ...

But ...
Is it really so? ...

I sometimes think ...
My songs could never illuminate a tiny candle in your heart ...
Cause it is your soul ... filled all with love ...
And you ... to be admiringly great ...

You know ...
To share my heart with you ...
I feel I have to grow ...
To nourish this love ...
I have to put away all the "self"'s ...
And fill it with all this heavenly "emptiness" ...

When I miss you ... and I be gone by all my loneliness ...

It was 4 years ago ...

2007-12-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

It was 4 years ago ...

One sad morning in the winter, which you were thinking it was another day of errands ... but it was not ...

"Have you heard the terrible news?" ... They say many have died and buried under the collapsed ceilings ... "This is terrible considering the evil cold of the winter in Bam ..."

"Many have lost all their family members, we need volunteer help of student organizations to be sent to the region immediately." and ... there were lines of volunteers from all across the country.

"We are going to need tents, canned foods, water, blankets and many more. Anyone can help please?" ... Even foreign rescue teams from many countries had arrived and brought their aids through Kerman Airport.

Continuous heart-breaking sirens of ambulances and nonstop sound of C-130 engines serving to air-transfer the many casualties to Tehran and many other cities for available hospital treatments ...
Mass burial of many who were killed ... burying them in trenches, so fast without having enough time for any ceremony or for their relatives to recognize them ... rescue search for the missing ones, place by place ... Tragic scenes we all went through ...

Those days were passing by in front of our eyes like a horrible nightmare ...

But ... Today, after 4 years from the earthquake ... Bam and its many residents are still in need of help ...

***
[Photo: A survived child after the earthquake, living in the tents in Bam. Thanks to my dear friend Mr. Arman Vahedi]

The Melting Pot ...

2007-12-25T15:10:00.000-08:00

Few days ago, Dec. 18th, was "Immigration Day" named by the United Nations.
A very interesting and cross-cultural concept which is associated with several cultural issues as well as some other economical, social and psychological effects on the lives of many individuals.

While it could be true that an average "immigrant" enjoys more courage and determination than the rest of his fellow citizens to leave his motherland facing with numerous barriers to survive and grow in the host society, but this could not be always the case.

Among the many reasons leading a person to immigrate, these can be pointed out so boldly: Education, Economic Wealth, Better future, Better job opportunities, Religious freedoms, Genocides, Ethnic identities, Family reunions, Retirement trends and many more.

Like any other huge steps of life, immigration has its own bright sides and dark sides integrated so deeply to each other.
The language barriers, depression, cultural shock, The feelings of separation, not being useful, not being productive, etc. can be counted as many negative side effects of this phenomenon.
However, unlike for the immigrating generation who usually go through all these harsh steps to smoothen their way out of the host society, immigration brings tremendous advantages for the new born generation of the immigrants, the second-generation.

Advantages such as being open-eyed exposed to many different cultures, languages and ways of life. Better possibilities for educational, economical and personal developments and the ability of seeing the things in life from broader perspective or seeing the "Big Picture" behind the things.

This new generation is often called "Melting Pot", an interesting term which was used first to describe America and its many immigrants. The "Melting pot" concept can be better understood by the following quote.
"I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose four sons have wives of different nations." (Luedtke, 1992, 3)[Wikipedia, The world's largest free encyclopedia]

I may write more about immigration and its many impacts on the lives of individuals in future posts.

***
[Photo: Immigration courtesy stock.xpert]

Happy Eid to You All ...

2007-12-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

That is me ... lost in the dark ...
That is me ... waiting for a sign ...
For a light in the darkness of this chamber that I have imprisoned myself in ...
By all my sins ... by all my "self"s ...

How many signs you have sent ...
How many messengers of truth ...

How beautifully you have taught us to detach ourselves ...
From the "possessions" and from the "positions" ...
In order to find the happiness ... In order to be free ...

Oh God! In these heavenly days of Eid ... Eid al-Adha ... Eid al-Ghadir ...
Help us all to be free ...
To reach to that happiness you have shown us once ...

Sous le vent (Under the wind) ...

2007-12-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

There are some songs that you hear and you connect with the beauty of them right away ... This beauty even grows more and more in the soul as you keep listening to these pieces ...

"Sous le vent" (Under the wind) is indeed one of those songs ... Performed by Celine Dion and Garou ... Beautiful and Touching ...

***

"If you believe that I am having fear ... It is not true ...
Cause I have dedicated all my heart to you ...

And if you think that I am mistaken ... Wait a little ...

Breath a little of this beautiful air which is taking me in and making me grow ...

Just like being on the sea when we go for a boat sailing ...

Just like sliding under the wind ...

And it is like quitting this earth and looking for my star ...
Which I know I will find some day ...

If you think that it is over ... Oh! never ...
It is just a pause ... Just a grace you go for after many risks ...

And if you believe that I have forgotten you ... Just listen ...
Open up your soul at night in front of the winds and ... close your eyes ...

It is like being on the sea when we go for a boat sailing ...

Just like sliding under the wind ...

Like quitting this earth and looking for my star ...
Which I know I will find some day ...

Under the wind ... "

Greener than the dreams of God ...

2007-12-11T01:34:00.000-08:00

Sitting in here ...
Locked in here ...
In the loneliness of this prison ...
Away from you my beloved ...

Thinking of you ...
Being this far from me ...
Miles and miles away ...
But how close I have found you inside ...

I have been waiting for you ...
Sitting in here ...
Without a pair of wings to fly away ...
From the darkness of this prison ...

You know ...
It has been a long time that ...
I am looking forward to seeing you shining upon me,
Soon ...

Dark pages in the history of the United States ...

2007-12-09T02:58:00.000-08:00

I was doing a research on the history of Slavery in the United States at which between 1619 - 1865 more than 4,880,000 Africans were "forced" to leave their homeland and been brought to the new land of America at which the settlers were in need of "free" labor and work force to build their immoral fortunes ...

After the Civil War between free states and slave states, this shameful dark page of the American history ended in 1870 by the endless efforts of a noble man called Abraham Lincoln who was fighting against the evil political and financial powers of the "owners" ...

"A grocery store in the 19th century America ... No Africans allowed inside"

"A drinking fountain for the colored workers ... 19th century America"

"Examining a young slave to be purchased by his new owner ... Painting from Slavery Museum ..."

"Slave Sale Market in Easton, Maryland ... Courtesy of Wikipedia, World's largest free encyclopedia"

"A letter of Reward for an escaped slave called Tom in the state of Kentucky ... America in the 19th century"

2007-12-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

What is there in the mysterious whispers of the rivers ...
What is there in the beautiful dances of the falling leaves ...

In the green of your everlasting mightiness ... In the white of your proud heights ...

What is there in the joyous play of the clouds in the sky ...

O' My beloved homeland ... How much I have missed all your beauties ...

***
[Photo: Beautiful mighty Damavand, the highest peak of Alborz mountains with the height 5671 meters, Tehran, Iran]

Give thanks to the Almighty for all the blessings around you ...

2007-11-23T02:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the day of Thanksgiving in the United States and probably the second most important family holiday in this country. All the city was just vacant of its people in the streets ...

People usually gather at night around the thanksgiving dinner table with the family members or their loved ones and celebrate the night by eating an oven-cooked turkey prepared especially for this holiday ...

Regardless of the history behind this in the States, it is indeed a very nice tradition to spend a joyful night with the family giving thanks for all the blessings one could have in her/his life. Having this said, on the other hand, this made me really think that how much I have missed my beloved family who are living miles away from me and I who have locked myself in this country for my PhD education ...

Indeed there are many many great blessings around us to be thankful for ... but this thanksgiving should be accompanied by awareness and acknowledgement of these blessing inside and then making efforts to help as many needy people as possible ... Since it has once been well said by Sa'adi (Great Persian Poet) that:

"Being thankful for a powerful arm ... is through ... lending it as helping hand to the needy" ...

Ya Imam Reza (Peace Be Upon You) ...

2007-11-22T01:34:00.000-08:00

Let your existence enlighten all my soul ...
In this world of darkness, you are indeed that light of hope ...

The light sent upon us from the beloved ...
In the middle of these dark ages we are living through ...

What is the secret behind this love ...
That not only us ... but also ...
All the creatures are in love with you ...

O' Imam Reza (Peace be upon you) ...
You are the true guide to Him by His mercy ...

O' The loved one ...
Guide us to the light through all these darkness we are living in ...

I did it "My Way" ...

2007-11-15T22:58:00.000-08:00

And now ... the end is near ...
And so I face the final curtain ...
My friend, I will say it clear ...
I will state my case, of which I am certain ...

I have lived a life that is full.
I have traveled each and every highway...
And more, much more than this...
I did it my way.

Regrets, I have had a few ...
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do ...
And saw it through without exemption ...

I planned each charted course ...
Each careful step along the byway ...
But more, much more than this ...
I did it my way ...

Yes, there were times, I am sure you knew ...
When I bit off more than I could chew...
But through it all, when there was doubt ...
I ate it up and spit it out.

I faced it all and I stood tall ...
And did it my way...

I have loved, I have laughed and cried...
I have had my fill, my share of losing...

And now, as tears subside ...
I find it all so amusing ...

To think I did all that ...
And may I say - not in a shy way ...

Oh,no .. Oh no, not me ...
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught ...
To say the things he truly feels ...
And not the words of one who kneels ...
The record shows I took the blows ...
And did it my way! ...

***
[The world famous inspiring song "My Way" was first written by Paul Anka (Canadian-American Singer and Song Writer) and made into a global hit by the legendary Frank Sinatra.
It is the memories of a confident man facing the end of his life and yet he enjoys all the great things he has accomplished in his life ... based on the self- confidence and trust in himself.
This is the performance by the world 3 Tenor legends (Domingo, Carreras and late Pavarotti) as a tribute to Frank Sinatra]

For his birthday ...

2007-11-13T02:26:00.000-08:00

In the memory of late Nima Yooshij (The father of Persian modern poetry) and as a tribute for his birthday 12 November 1896 ...

2007-11-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

When will the sinful eyes of mine be delighted by seeing your beauty? ...

I have learned ...

2007-11-07T00:51:00.000-08:00

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person ...

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows ...

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world ...

I've learned.... That you should never say "no" to a gift from a child ...

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way ...

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with ...

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand ...

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult ...

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for ...

I've learned.... That money does not buy class ...

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular ...

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved ...

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds ...

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile ...

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them ...

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher ...

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss ...

I've learned... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere ...

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away ...

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them ...

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it ...

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done ...

***
[The words by Andy Rooney, American Journalist, thanks to my dear Sam Roshdi for sharing these beautiful meaningful words of wisdom]

2007-11-06T01:28:00.000-08:00

Innocence ...

2007-11-05T01:34:00.000-08:00

To where you are looking this deep ...
Towards which horizon liberating your mind ...

Tell me what you are thinking of ...
Within the innocent childhood world of wonders in you ...

Tell me what you see in that far away ...
I am willing to know ... if I can understand ...

Looking at your beautiful eyes ...
Makes me feel how great soul you are ...

Tell me what you see in that far away ...
I am willing to know ... if I can understand ...

***
[Thanks to dear Mohammad and Ali Khosravi for sharing this beautiful meaningful photo named "Ma'asoomiyat(Innocence)"]

2007-11-01T02:03:00.000-07:00

دردهای من

جامه نیستند

تا ز تن در آورم

چامه و چکامه نیستند
تا به رشته ی سخن درآورم

نعره نیستند

تا ز نای جان بر آورم

دردهای من نگفتنی دردهای من نهفتنی است

دردهای من

گرچه مثل دردهای مردم زمانه نیست

درد مردم زمانه است

مردمی که چین پوستینشان
مردمی که رنگ روی آستینشان

مردمی که نامهایشان

جلد کهنه ی شناسنامه هایشان

درد می کند

من ولی تمام استخوان بودنم

لحظه های ساده ی سرودنم

درد می کند

انحنای روح من

شانه های خسته ی غرور من

تکیه گاه بی پناهی دلم شکسته است
کتف گریه های بی بهانه ام

بازوان حس شاعرانه ام زخم خورده است

این سماجت عجیب پافشاری شگفت دردهاست

دردهای آشنا

دردهای بومی غریب

دردهای خانگی

دردهای کهنه ی لجوج

اولین قلم حرف

حرف درد را در دلم نوشته است

دست سرنوشت خون درد را با گلم سرشته است

پس چگونه سرنوشت ناگزیر خویش را رها کنم؟

درد رنگ و بوی غنچه ی دل است

پس چگونه من رنگ و بوی غنچه را ز برگهای تو به توی آن جدا کنم؟

دفتر مرا دست درد می زند ورق

شعر تازه ی مرا
درد گفته است

درد هم شنفته است

پس در این میانه من از چه حرف می زنم؟

درد، حرف نیست درد، نام دیگر من است

من چگونه خویش را صدا کنم؟

قیصر امین‌پور

The four blessed looks ...

2007-10-31T02:06:00.000-07:00

Look back and thank God ...
Look forward and trust God ...
Look around and serve God ...
Look within and find God ...

***
[Beautiful sharings of words of wisdom by Mrs. Behzadnia and very dear friend of mine, Dr. Banaei-Kashani]

Happy Birthday ...

2007-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

It is one year passed since I first started to write in this blog ... to write about my thoughts, feelings and sharings ... "Hagh Goo" is one year old now ...

Writing in a blog is kind of very strange feeling ... you share your viewpoints with the ones you know and with the ones you do not ... with the ones you love and with the ones you may have no feelings about ... You share about your concerns directly with whom you might not feel comfortable sharing your ideas verbally ... It is indeed a very strange and constructive experience ...

Now that, after one year, I take a look back to the previous posts ... I notice that this past year was a dear experience of self-improvement for me in order to be able to write openly about my concerns, thoughts, ideas and feelings ...

2007-10-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

What are the motives behind our behavior? ...
It could be logic meaning we have found somethings to be logical and thus we have believed in them and they got manifested in our behavior and/or words and actions ...

Yet, there are many behaviors of ours that unfortunately we do not have any logic behind but just we follow certain specific rules in our lives ... calling them "Traditions" ...

Traditions which may be labled as the "Brain and beliefs of the masses" can be referred to as the result of the brains of the generations passed along the newer generations ...
However, although being very firm in roots, it does not guaranteed them to be always "Right" ... thus we always need to be aware of the logical reasons behind the traditions we are following and always be present to this fact that it is always "us and our logic" which makes the traditions as wonderful things to be followed and be passed along to our future generations ...

***
[Photo: Peaceful snowy day in Bufallo, Beautiful State of New York. Thanks to a dear friend, Mr. Mehdi Ahmadizadeh]

2007-10-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is hard to stand for the things we believe in ...
Sometimes it gets expensive to stand for the things we believe in ...
But, regardless of it all ...
If we can not detach from the "selves" that we have been chained to ... And can not stand for the beliefs ... we are just thinking that we believe ...
Or even worse, we are just simply liars ...

***
[Thanks to a very dear friend, Mr. Arman Vahedi, for the beautiful picture he has taken from magnificent Alam Kooh, Beautiful Iran]

The other side ...

2007-10-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

2007-10-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

Love is ...

2007-09-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

عشق يعني « همت » و يک دل خدا
توي سينه اشتياق کربلا

عشق يعني شوق پروازي بزرگ
در هجوم زخم‌هاي بي‌صدا

عشق يعني قصة عباس و آب
در « طلاييه » غروب آفتاب

...
عشق يعني چشم‌ها غرق سکوت
...

عشق يعني آسمان غرق خون
در شلمچه گريه‌گريه.... تا جنون

عشق يعني در سکوت يک نگاه
نغمة انا اليه راجعون

عشق يعني در فنا نابود شدن
در ميان تشنگان ساقي شدن

عشق يعني در ره دهلاويه
غرق اشک چشم، مشتاقي شدن

عشق يعني حرمت يک استخوان
يادگار از قامت يک نوجوان

آنکه با خون شريفش رسم کرد
بر زمين، جغرافياي آسمان

***

[From an unknown poet in the memory of "Shahidan" those who sacrificed their lives to defend the country, to stand for their beliefs ...

In Iranian literature, the corn poppy flower stands for the innocent holy blood of the heroes (Shahidan) who stood for their country and beliefs]

Liar ...

2007-09-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

***
[By: Iranian contemporary cartoonist, Mr. Bozorgmehr Hosseinpour]

O' The most merciful ...

2007-09-20T00:42:00.000-07:00

O' God! I have deeply believed in that you are the most merciful ...
The one who forgives when he is the most powerful ...
The one who shows mercy after he knows the facts and the reality of the souls inside ...

O' God! How many times you have freed me from the worries ...
O' God! How many times you have helped me through the difficulties ...
O' God! How many times you have become the "true friend" of those who did not have any support ...
And how many times you have saved the righteous [from doing the wrong deeds] ...

You have created my creation ... my birth ... have made me blessed by all the great things you have given to me during the years ...
How can I ever thank you for the family I have?
How can I ever thank you for the healthy person I am?
How can I ever thank you for the great friends I have?
How can I ever thank you for all the things I have in my life ... and I have all from you ...

O' God! How many times you have proved that you are the most powerful ...
The one and the only one with absolute power over all the universe ...
[Free Translation of Dua-Eftetah]

~~~

O' God! In these holy days and nights, the days of mercy and the nights of forgiveness, ... I am looking for your forgiveness ... your eternal peace ... I am looking for your mercy after your absolute knowledge of myself ... and your forgiveness ...

O' The most powerful! You know me better than me ... It is your forgiveness I am asking for ...

***
[Photo: Heavenly Zarivar (=Golden Like) Lake, Naturally-rich amazing province of Kurdestan, Beautiful Iran]

For some, a cardboard box is shelter ... For some, newspaper is warmth ...

2007-09-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

I was driving the other day through the streets of Beverly Hills and was thinking to myself that how frustrating this culture is that the more "prestige" you have, the more you will be judged differently ...

In fact in a culture that we live in, the more expensive car that you drive ... The bigger house that you own ... and the more income that you make every month, will bring you more "prestige" and thus more "social respect" in the society ...

Driving through the streets of Beverly Hills with its crazy expensive boutiques, restaurants, hotels ... with all the expensive cars in the streets and mansions to live in... I was thinking when we are going to understand the difficulties and challenges of the children suffering from poverty, hunger, maladies and wars?

Driving in the streets of the Beverly Hills ... I was just thinking about how much diverted we have become from the beautiful virtue of the "equality" and "equal human rights for all the humans" ...

Driving through the "prestigious" streets of Beverly Hills and later watching all the homeless sleeping on the streets in Downtown Los Angeles ...

***
[Photo: A homeless sleeping on a cardboard box with the words "For some, a cardboard box is shelter. For some, newspaper is warmth".
Courtesy of http://morefire.files.wordpress.com]

2007-09-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

In this month of blessings ... with spirit of the divine in the air ... and His everlasting mercy all around us, we all have been invited as His special guests by His glory ...

We have been called upon to be in heaven ... Yes, you and me ... we all have been called upon to be there ...

2007-09-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

از بهشت كه بيرون آمد، دارايي‌اش فقط يك سيب بود. سيبي كه به وسوسه آن را چيده بود. و مكافات اين وسوسه هبوط بود.فرشته‌ها گفتند: تو بي‌بهشت مي‌ميري. زمين جاي تو نيست. زمين همه ظلم است و فساد. و انسان گفت: اما من به خودم ظلم كرده‌ام. زمين تاوان ظلم من است. اگر خدا چنين مي‌خواهد، پس زمين از بهشت بهتر است
خدا گفت: برو و بدان جاده‌اي كه تو را دوباره به بهشت مي‌رساند و از زمين مي‌گذرد؛ زميني آكنده از شروخير، آكنده از حق و از باطل، از خطا و از صواب؛ و اگر خير و حق و صواب پيروز شد تو باز خواهي گشت وگرنه ... و فرشته‌ها همه گريستند

اما انسان نرفت. انسان نمي‌توانست برود. انسان بردرگاه بهشت وامانده بود. مي‌ترسيد و مردد بود
و آن وقت خدا چيزي به انسان داد. چيزي كه هستي را مبهوت كرد و كائنات را به غبطه واداشت
انسان دستهايش را گشود و خدا به او «اختيار» داد

خدا گفت: حال انتخاب كن. زيرا كه تو براي انتخاب كردن آفريده‌شدي. برو و بهترين را برگزين كه بهشت پاداش به‌گزيدن توست
عقل و دل و هزاران پيامبر نيز با تو خواهند آمد، تا توبهترين را برگزيني. و آنگاه انسان زمين را انتخاب كرد. رنج و نبرد و صبوري را... و اين آغاز انسان بود

عرفان نظر آهاری

***
[Photo: Courtesy of Mr. Ali Ghamsari Esfahani's Persian Blog]

2007-09-10T02:43:00.000-07:00

من‌ شدم‌ ني‌ و تو شدي‌ ني‌زن، مرا گذاشتي‌ روي‌ لبهايت‌ و دميدي. نفست‌ كه‌ توي‌ تنم‌ ريخت، هوا پر شد از موسيقي‌ دوست

فرشته‌ها به‌ رقص‌ آمدند و زمين‌ دور خودش‌ چرخيد.نواختن‌ من، جشن‌ ملكوت‌ بود و پايكوبي‌ هستي.دم‌ تو آتش‌ بود و نواي‌ ني، عشق ... من‌ شدم‌ ني‌ و تو شدي‌ ني‌زن

اما فراموشم‌ شد كه‌ ني‌ اگر خالي‌ نباشد، ني‌ نيست. پر شدم. ديگر براي‌ تو جايي‌ نمانده‌ بود مرا گذاشتي‌ روي‌ لبهايت‌ و باز هم‌ دميدي؛

اما ديگر صدايي‌ نيامد

فرشته‌ها گريستند و شيطان‌ دور ني‌ات‌ رقصيد

اين‌ روزها نسيم‌ از سمت‌ بهشت‌ مي‌وزد... اين‌ روزها هواي‌ بوي‌ تو را دارد... اين‌ روزها صداي‌ ساز تو مي‌آيد...

و من‌ دوباره‌ به‌ ياد مي‌آورم‌ كه‌ من‌ ني‌ بودم‌ و تو ني‌زن.

آه،... آي‌ يگانه‌اي‌ ني‌زن! ... اين‌ ني‌ دلتنگ‌ دم‌ توست. دلتنگ‌ نواختنت... ني‌ كوچكت‌ را بنواز

عرفان‌ نظرآهاري

Loneliness of my heart ...

2007-09-07T20:41:00.000-07:00

Since one day ...
You just came into the loneliness of my heart ...
With all the sweetness of love ... in your steps ...

You filled my soul with the beautiful sense of love ...
Washing away all the hatred from my heart ... you filled it with delicate desires ...

I did not know what this feeling was ...
The breeze whispered in my ears that ... heavenly love ...

***
[Photo: Our home and the street that I belong to (Parvin St. Jaam-e-Jam, Valiasr Ave.) in a winter morning, Tehran, Beautiful Iran]

Say Goodbye To "The Legend" ...

2007-09-06T00:34:00.000-07:00

Luciano Pavarotti with his extraordinarily amazing vocal techniques and his outstanding performances of different opera pieces, arias and even world popular hits ... With his restless efforts to organize the charity concerts under the series of "Pavarotti and Friends" along with many world class singers and musicians in order to bring the attention of the people to the ugly nature of the wars and their consequences on the children especially during the Balkan Massacre and Kosovo genocides ... Made himself an everlasting name in the opera and more importantly as a charitable icon who never stopped bringing hope to the heart of the "war child" ...

He was always saying that: "I (Pavarotti) lost my whole family during the World War II when I was 10 and all I could possibly do was singing to bring the light of hope into my heart and into the hearts of all other people ..."

Luciano Pavarotti was a legend and will always remain a legend ... in the minds of those who have been introduced to opera through him ...

May his soul rest in peace ...

***
["Ave Maria" By Schubert performed by late Pavarotti as a sacred aria admiring the holy Maria
"O Sole Mio" By Di Capua performed by Great Pavarotti and Bryan Adams (Canadian Rock Star)]

2007-09-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

Happiness keeps you sweet ...
Trials and challenges keep you strong ...
Sorrows and sympathies keep you human ...
Failures keep you humble ...
Success keeps you glowing ...
But ...
It is only trust in God and his everlasting mercy that keeps you going ...

***
[Photo: Heavenly beautiful Heyran Road, Northwestern Province of Ardabil, Beautiful Iran]

Je me souviens ... I Remember ...

2007-08-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

Spending some quality time in Toronto, we are now back in Montreal ...
The largest city of the Canadian province of Quebec and the only city in Quebec at which you can speak English along with French and not yet catch the strange stares of the people in the streets ...
I remember being in the capital of the province (Quebec City) and it was really odd for the people in the streets to comprehend or to speak English ...

Quebec is the only province among all 10 provinces and 3 Canadian territories that has maintained its official language French instead of English ...
This is very much interesting when it comes to the reality that all the traffic signs, shops and writings in the streets are in French as well as all the language of the official correspondence ...

Although English is considered as the "Second" official language but there is significant attempts in attracting and introducing the new immigrants of the province with French language ... This even includes the "Paid French Courses" at which the Government of Quebec "pays" the immigrants to attend French language classes at colleges and universities.

This is apart from easily granting permanent residency to the vast majority of the "French Speaking Immigrants" from formerly French colonized countries like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Congo, Cameron, Lebanon, Syria and many more selected directly by the the Government of Quebec under the "Canada-Quebec Accord" at which Quebec can choose its immigration applicants "without" permission and intervention of the Federal Canadian Government...

Having French as the official language ... the people here called "Francophones" have adapted the "French Way of Life" making the habits of the people and the appearance of the people to be very much similar to those of in the European French cities ... of course very different from the City of Toronto and the rest of North American cities ...

***
[Photo: Car Licence Plate of Quebec, "Je me Souviens" (I Remember That) is the official motto of Quebec. Photo: Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Beautiful Montreal (I) ...

2007-08-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

In front of the Basilica Notre Dame Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec ... It was a beautiful afternoon with wonderful friends Hossein and Maziar whom I had missed from Sharif University and Omran-e Sharif Magazine ...

With my dear Hossein in front of Notre Dame Montreal ... Beautiful City ... Wonderful Friends ...

In front of the statue of Maissonneuve (The founder of Montreal) in Place D'Armes with dear Maziar

In Old Port Montreal (Place D'Armes) with Hossein and Maziar ... Beautiful Montreal ...

In the streets of Old Montreal with Hossein ... Flowers and Blue Flags of Quebec (Fleur-de-lis) are probably the most frequently seen signs of this beautiful province of Canada ...

2007-08-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

All the rivers ... all the water ... the feelings of "thirst" ... are ashamed of seeing your sacrifice forever ...

O' Abbas! O' The brave son of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) ... how little "Bravery" and "Loyalty" seem ... when ... being compared with the great sacrifice you have done ...

***
[Photo: Birthday of Abbas Son of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) who sacrificed his life to bring some water to the family of his brother Imam Hossein (Peace Be Upon Him) on the day of Ashura at which the enemy had shut the water on the women, children and all the civillians]

O' The beloved in the eyes of the Almighty! ...

2007-08-18T09:07:00.001-07:00

All the angels, heavens and the universe were celebrating that day and congratulating each other on your birthday ...

O' The holy beloved in the eyes of the Almighty! What have you done to the hearts of your lovers ... that ... your name is always the key to the heavens ...

***
[Photo: The Birthday of Imam Hossein (Peace Be Upon Him), The grandchild of the holy messenger of God]

2007-08-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

گفت : گوسفند از آدمی آگاهتر است زآنکه بانگ شبان او را از چرا کردن باز دارد و آدمی را سخن خدای ـ عزووجل ـ از مراد باز نمی دارد

***

[Thanks to dear MohammadReza for sharing this beautiful word of insight...]

St. Joseph du Montreal ...

2007-08-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

She was all in her thoughts not hearing any single thing of all the noise that many tourists were making going up and down in the stairways besides her climbing journey of need to the Almighty ...

"Madam! Unfortunately there is no positive sign in keeping your kid here for a longer time ... take him home and let him enjoy his last days being with the family" had simply said the doctor to her ...

She was all in her thoughts when climbing up the numerous stairs of the St. Joseph of Montreal with bare feet all on her knees ... bringing her motherly tears to the saviour for the sake of her child ...

Blessings ...

2007-08-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

It is really strange sense of feeling when you have been away from your family for a long time under the name of "Graduate Studies in the States" and the only way of communication between you and them was phone conversations almost every other day and staring at their photos for a long time ... trying to find a way to express all your feelings of love through those "digital" photos ...

... And then later ... It is really amazing to see them and to feel them "in person" after this long time and notice that how the power of love existing in your heart can lead you to can't help staring at them ... kissing them ... and feeling their presence for a long time ...
Even if ... all this, takes place in an international arriving terminal of a Canadian airport where many passengers were looking at you and showing you to each other ...

It was simply amazing ...

2007-08-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

May I always try to understand the value of the things I currently have ...

And may I always try to remember that the things I have right now, perhaps were my dreams in the past ... and maybe they become the most missed moments and things of mine as I walk towards the future ...

***
[Photo: Early in the morning with hot Persian tea on top of the mountain, Beautiful Iran]

2007-08-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

In the "high-speed life" of today and in the changing economy of the world, people usually keep the eyes on the small pieces of the picture not seeing the bigger parts ... Issues of the least importance, usually get the most attention and yet there are no ones to deal with the main concerns...

Maybe that is the result of living in "task-oriented" societies instead of developing the "problem-solving" potentials in ourselves to make ourselves more "strategy oriented" ...
That is the fact of life ... we as parts of this system tend more to see the tiny issues more frequently losing track on the bigger pieces more often ...

In the highly competitive environments of politics and business of today, we for sure will lose tremendously if we only think that by focusing on "tasks", we would be able to survive without having "The Big Picture" in mind and moving on without strategic thinking and not having long term steady plans for future relationships ...

***
[Photo: Handshake, Courtesy of Arbitration Mediation Conciliation Center (AMCC)]

Looking from the above ...

2007-08-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of "BBC Persian", this photo taken in Afghanistan by M. Azad has been the winner of the photography contest.

Thinking of you ...

2007-08-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Thinking of you ...
With your head on my shoulder ...

And the love song of the rain at night ...
From the other side of the window ...

Thinking of you ...
In the tranquility of the moments ...

It is no one but only loneliness ...
Who is watching me from the other side of the window ...

***
[Poem by H. Ataei, Photo: Autumn in the village, Beautiful Iran]

Vivaldi ...

2007-08-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

An amazing and absolutely beautiful aria by Vivaldi, performed by Philippe Jaroussky with his astonishing countertenor vocal techniques ...

Listen this beautiful performance in here

Happy Father's Day ... The birthday of Imam Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) ...

2007-07-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

The birthday of the "real human", he who devoted all his divine life to support the truth, to be the truth and to spread the truth ...

A divine soul who was born inside the Ka'aba and raised learning many good values from the messenger of God ... He who was an advanced human comparing to the time he was living in ... He who was the truth by all his words and more importantly by all his deeds ...

The birthday of Imam Ali ibn Abi-Talib (Peace be upon him) ...
The birthday of a man whose heart was so attached to the heavens for whom this life and this world was so small ...

A devoted companion for the prophet (Peace be upon him) ... A great leader symbolizing justice and fairness ... Loving father for his children and caring husband for his wife ...

A scientist of his time and a wise man of all times ... a great writer ... absolutely advanced thinker ...

A real symbol of bravery for all the athletes afterwards ... A hard working person to support his family ... The one who also was feeding and supporting the needy through all his life ...

The "Brave Lion" of the days and the "Crying Whisperer" of the nights to the Almighty ... Imam Ali (Peace be upon him forever) ...

Everlasting Quotes of Wisdom by Imam Ali:

Inability is a disaster; patience is bravery; abstinence is a treasure, self-restrain is a shield; and the best companion is submission to Divine Will ...

He who adopts greed devalues himself; he who discloses his hardships to others will face humiliation ...

Socialize with people in such a manner that when you die, they should weep for you and as long as you live, they should long for your company ...

Two kinds of greedy people never get satisfied; the seeker of knowledge and the seeker of this world ...

The worst sin is that which the sinner takes lightly ...

Contentment is a wealth that is not exhausted ...

Greed is a permanent slavery [of oneself by his own]...

Submission to God's will is the cure of the misery of the heart ...

He, who does not know his own worth is doomed to destruction ...

Opportunity moves quickly and rarely comes back ...

Abstention from wrongdoing is easier than seeking help afterwards ...

***
[Photos: "Imama Ali" calligraphy writing, Quotes: courtesy of www.sufiblog.com/Imam-Ali-quotes.php]

Beautiful Smile ...

2007-07-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

Is it the beauty of your face or the purity of your smile? ...

Is it the depth of your innocent look or the greatness and tranquility of your soul that makes me believe that tomorrow will be a brighter day for you and me ...

Makes me believe that the future is yours ... That you will have a whole world of beauties in front of you ...

May I have the honor of having your hand in mine? ...

***
[Photo: A needy child selling things in the streets of Tehran, Courtesy of BBC Persian]

2007-07-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

قصه‌ را كه‌ مي‌داني؟ قصه‌ مرغان‌ و كوه‌ قاف‌ را، قصه‌ رفتن‌ و آن‌ هفت‌ وادي‌ صعب‌ را، قصه‌ سيمرغ‌ و آينه‌ را؟
قصه‌ نيست؛ حكايت‌ تقدير است‌ كه‌ بر پيشاني‌ام‌ نوشته‌اند. هزار سال‌ است‌ كه‌ تقدير را تأ‌خير مي‌كنم

اما چه‌ كنم‌ با هدهد، هدهدي‌ كه‌ از عهد سليمان‌ تا امروز هر بامداد صدايم‌ مي‌زند؛ و من‌ همان‌ گنجشك‌ كوچك‌ عذرخواهم‌ كه‌ هرروزبهانه‌اي‌ مي‌آورد، بهانه‌هاي‌ كوچك‌ بي‌مقدار
تنم‌ نازك‌ است‌ و بال‌هايم‌ نحيف. من‌ از راه‌ سخت‌ و سنگ‌ و سنگلاخ‌ مي‌ترسم. من‌ از گم‌ شدن، من‌ از تشنگي، من‌ از تاريك‌ و دور واهمه‌ دارم

گفتي‌ قرار است‌ بال‌هايمان‌ را توي‌ حوض‌ داغ‌ خورشيد بشوييم؟ گفتي‌ كه‌ اين‌ تازه‌ اول‌ قصه‌ است؟ گفتي‌ كه‌ بعد نوبت‌ معرفت‌ است‌ و توحيد؟ گفتي‌ كه‌ حيرت، بار درخت‌ توحيد است؟ گفتي‌ بي‌ نيازي...؟
گفتي‌ كه‌ فقر...؟ گفتي‌ كه‌ آخرش‌ محو است‌ و عدم...؟

آي‌ هدهد! آي‌ هدهد! بايست؛ نه، من‌ طاقتش‌ را ندارم

...
بهار كه‌ بيايد، ديگر رفته‌ام. بهار، بهانه‌ رفتن‌ است. حق‌ با هدهد است‌ كه‌ مي‌گفت: رفتن‌ زيباتر است، ماندن‌ شكوهي‌ ندارد؛ آن‌ هم‌ پشت‌ اين‌ سنگريزه‌هاي‌ طلب

گيرم‌ كه‌ ماندم‌ و باز بال‌بال‌ زدم، توي‌ خاك‌ و خاطره، توي‌ گذشته‌ و گل. گيرم‌ كه‌ بالم‌ را هزار سال‌ ديگر هم‌ بسته‌ نگه‌ داشتم، بال‌هاي‌ بسته‌ اما طعم‌ اوج‌ را كي‌ خواهد چشيد؟

مي‌روم، بايد رفت؛ در خون‌ تپيده‌ و پرپر. سيمرغ، مرغان‌ را در خون‌ تپيده‌ دوست‌تر دارد. هدهد بود كه‌ اين‌ را به‌ من‌ گفت.
راستي، اگر ديگر نيامدم، يعني‌ كه‌ آتش‌ گرفته‌ام؛ يعني‌ كه‌ شعله‌ورم! يعني‌ سوختم؛ يعني‌ خاكسترم‌ را هم‌ باد برده‌ است
مي‌روم‌ اما هر جا كه‌ رسيدم، پري‌ به‌ يادگار برايت‌ خواهم‌ گذاشت. مي‌دانم، اين‌ كمترين‌ شرط‌ جوانمردي‌ است
بدرود، رفيق‌ روزهاي‌ بي‌قراري‌ام! قرارمان‌ اما در حوالي‌ قاف، پشت‌ آشيانه‌ سيمرغ، آنجا كه‌ جز بال‌ و پر سوخته، نشاني‌ ندارد...

عرفان‌ نظرآهاري

2007-07-10T01:01:00.000-07:00

It was one of those hot days in summer ... the heavy traffic in the streets full of cars honking and yelling at each other of not moving forward ...
Deep in his thoughts with his child on his shoulders ... Noise, pollution and the crowded streets have made him extremely tired.

"Hey! You [...] moron, watch out!" ... A man yelled at him angrily from his car's window ... He did not hear anything ... or maybe he pretended so ... He was just so deep in his thoughts that barely could he hear anything from the crowd passing by him in the walkways ...

"When was it?" he was thinking with himself ... just had passed like yesterday ... or no ... wait a minute ... It had been an exhausting experience for them all ... like a nightmare you see and scream in bed while you are asleep ... Trying to get up, but you can not ...

- "Baba Rahman! Is that you?" ...
- "Yes, my dear ... what happened?" ...
- "Come with me! You need to see it yourself"
- "Any news from my son Ali?" ...

It was then three nights that his son had not been back home ... He usually took the net and the boat for fishing to win bread for the family ... sometimes he went for one night out in the nearby island to get more fish but it was rare that he be away for this long ...

It was hard for him to see what was going on near the beach ...

- "Dad! It is so hot ... when we gonna be back home?" Child on his shoulder whispered ...
- "It is OK my dear ... wait a little ... Here, people are more caring to us ... do not worry!"

That night, when he had seen his beloved son Ali... lying with his eyes open and broken pieces of his boat here and there on the beach ...

- "God! ... This is not my Ali ... My Ali was not like this ... Where have you been son? ... If you do not think of me and your little brother, think about your mom! ..."
He was crying ... crying like a child ...

- "Dad! I feel sick ... can we get some water?"
- "Wait son! let me see what can I do for you"

His wife had lost her sight crying for Ali all day and night after then ...

- "Baba Rahman! take very good care of her ... she is getting more and more depressed ..."
- "I heard you, Doctor! What can I do for her? ... "

It was one of those hot summer days ...

- OK Son! let me ring the bell of one of these houses to get some water for you and maybe they also may need somebody to do gardening and cleaning for them...

- "Yes???!!! ..."
- "This is me! Baba Rahman! ..."
- "So!!!??? ..."
- "I need some water for my son, please for God's sake!"
- "What do you want? ... nobody is home!!!"
- "Do you need gardener or someone who can do house cleaning?"
- "Listen! ... If you do not get lost now, I gonna call the police"
- "I need some water for my son ... pleeaaase ..."
- "Get lost! You bastard ... You lazy [...] homeless people ..."

...

It was one of those hot days in summer ... the heavy traffic in the streets full of cars honking and yelling at each other of not moving forward ... Deep in his thoughts with his child on his shoulders ... Noise, pollution and the crowded streets have made him extremely tired...

***
[Short story "Another wrinkle on the forehead" by H. Ataei
Photo: Beautiful painting by Mr. Iman Maleki, Iranian contemporary painter]

2007-07-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

We must be the change we want to see in the world ... [Gandhi, 1869 - 1948]

~~~

We must be peace itself both inside and outside (remember that not only "peaceful" but "peace" itself) in order to enjoy peace in the world ... If we look forward to having a safe, peaceful and beautiful world to live in with our children, friends and loved ones ... there is no other way for us except being peace and growing peace inside ourselves first and then spreading it out to the societies we live in ...

~~~

Reading the history books, those many many years ago, looking at the dark ages of brutalities, genocides and wars ... I was always thinking with myself, as a child, that how great it is to live in the world now which has been advanced significantly in terms of humanity, human rights, international laws and treaties and international peace and understanding ... But, is it really true?

Are we really living in a world that is very much advanced in terms of interpersonal and interfaith respects and international understanding and peace?
Can we claim this and be so proud of living with our loved ones and our kids on a planet which is a safe place to live in?

~~~

Every day, you open the newspaper with expectation of reading something tragic, something sad, something away from humanity belonging to those old old dark ages of brutalities ...
Every day, you turn on the TV and "news" is no longer "news" ... it is only and only ugly stories of genocides, killings and barbaric actions ...

~~~

Hellen Keller (1880 - 1968) said "The highest result of education is tolerance" ...
Are we really educated? ...
We have become people with zero-tolerance who can not bear with those who do not think like us or simply reject and refuse our way of thinking ...

We have even gone beyond, we not only tolerate the other thoughts but we judge them in the court that we are the sole judge, attorney and the police officer and sentence them for imprisonment, death, torture, genocide ... and more and more ...
Are we educated? ... Have we got the whole beautiful virtue of this simple but deep quote of Hellen Keller? ...

~~~

We, ourselves, have made this beautiful planet an uncomfortable place to live in ... Not a safer place to live and celebrate the life in but a place at every corner of which, there are tragic news of wars, killings, brutalities, genocides and inhumanities every day after day ...

You know ... although we have made significant progresses in creating and inventing better tools to facilitate daily life for ourselves ... but the sad truth is ... we have not been "advanced" much to practice "tolerance" in ourselves and to be the "peace" inside and outside to promise a peaceful world for the generations to come and celebrate a beautiful life on the same planet ...

***
[Photo: A child watching the soldiers march,
Courtesy of BBC Persian, www.bbc.co.uk/persian]

Happy Mother's Day ... The heavenly gift from God ...

2007-07-05T01:37:00.000-07:00

The birthday of the light ... The human of whom all the universe, heavens and the angels are so proud ... and God who has made her "The light of the eyes" for his beloved messenger (Peace be upon him) ...

Dancing in the rain ...

2007-07-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

Just like the rain that cleans the soul of the trees ... you have filled my heart with ... all ... light and hope ...

The green color of life ... the vibrant soul of the trees ... the beautiful dance of the trees cheek to cheek with the rain drops ...
Open up your eyes, the nature is calling us to join this dance ...

***
[Photo: Heavenly beautiful Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls,NY.
Courtesy of "Rain" photoblog, Taken by Mr. Mehdi Ahmadizadeh]

Life ...

2007-07-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

And war is always the choice ... of the chosen who will not have to fight ...

2007-06-30T01:53:00.001-07:00

Ave Maria ...

Where is the justice in this world? ...
The wicked make so much noise, mother ... The righteous stay oddly still ...
With no wisdom, all of the riches in the world leave us poor tonight ...
And strength is not without humility ...
It's weakness, an untreatable disease ...
And war is always the choice ... Of the chosen who will not have to fight ...

Ave Maria ...

And strength is not without humility ...
It's weakness, an untreatable disease ...
And war is always the choice ... Of the chosen who will not have to fight ...

Ave Maria ...

***
["Ave Maria" is the group name of the sacred arias admiring The Holy Maria
This duet by Luciano Pavarotti and Bono (U2 Band) protesting to the war in 2003]

2007-06-30T01:53:00.000-07:00

Miss Sarajevo: Is there a time for Christmas trees? ...

2007-06-25T00:17:00.000-07:00

"The idea was simple, instead of doing what the news does, which is entertain you, I wanted to do something that the news rarely does, make a person care about the issue...I wanted young people in Europe to see the people in the war, I didn't want them see politicians or religious leaders or military spokesmen."
[Bill Carter]
*[Extracted from Wikipedia, World largest free online encyclopedia]

"The war is just a backdrop, it could be any war, the point is the vitality of the human spirit to survive, [to] laugh, to love, and to move on, that is something we will be addressing always."
[Bill Carter]
*[Extracted from Wikipedia, World largest free online encyclopedia]

The song protests the war in Bosnia, criticizing the international community for its inability to stop the war or help those affected by it. [Wikipedia]

"Miss Sarajevo" Luciano Pavarotti, The Edge, Bono and U2 Band ...

Is there a time for keeping your distance ...
A time to turn your eyes away ...
Is there a time for keeping your head down ...
For getting on with your day ...

Is there a time for kohl and lipstick ...
A time for cutting hair ...
Is there a time for high street shopping ...
To find the right dress to wear ...

Here she comes
Heads turn around
Here she comes
To take her crown

Is there a time to run for cover ...
A time for kiss and tell ...
Is there a time for different colours ...
Different names you find it hard to spell ...

Is there a time for first communion ...
A time for east 17 ...
Is there a time to turn to mecca ...
Is there time to be a beauty queen ...

Here she comes
Beauty plays the clown
Here she comes
Surreal in her crown

~~~
Italian part of the song:

It is said that a river ...
Finds the way to the sea ...
And like the river ...
You shall come to me ...
Beyond the borders ...
And the thirsty lands ...

You say that as a river
Like a river...
Love shall come
Love...

And I am not able to pray anymore ...
And I can not hope in love anymore ...
And I can not wait for love anymore ...

~~~

Is there a time for tying ribbons ...
A time for christmas trees ...
Is there a time for laying tables ...
And the night is set to freeze ...

O' Arvand ... O' The proud river ...

2007-06-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

O' Arvand ... O' The river crying for the past but singing for the future ...

Indeed you were that loyal messenger for the whispers of the bravehearts ... the mourns of the mothers ... the tears of the fathers ...

O' Arvand ... how many loves, hopes, laughs and cries have been sent far far away through you ...

O' The proud river ... what amazing stories of courage, sacrifice and love there are in each and every wave of yours ...

O' Arvand ... you were the only one who stayed alive in Khorramshahr after occupation giving hope to the city ... you were crying hard of seeing innocent civilians being slaughtered in their home by the enemy in those days ... but ... you were the only one bringing hope to Khorramshahr every day ... how hard it was for you to see all this but try not to give up ...

O' Arvand ... O' The proud river ... what amazing stories of courage, sacrifice and love there are in every and each wave of yours ...

Every single piece of your soil is my dignity ...

2007-06-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to Khorramshar, population 36 Millions" ... The everlasting city of Khorramshar in Iranian province of Khuzestan after being liberated from occupation of invading Iraqi Army in May 1982 ...

"Welcome to Khorramshahr" ... population 36 Millions ... The hearts of 36 Million Iranians were there with the city in those days ...

2007-06-20T01:13:00.000-07:00

You are always in my mind ... when singing, always in my voice ...
Every song I sing, every music I listen to, every poem I read ... reminds me of you ...

You are the sun shining upon my sky ... you are the poem making my day ...
You are the tenderness of love ... the smile after saying the first "hi" ... the heart beats of lover when meeting with the beloved ...

You are the feeling in the hearts of the migrating birds ... you are the silence between the ones in love ... the courage of saying their first words, to break the silence ... you are the sparkling light of love shining in their eyes ...

You know ... you are all of those ... you are all the beautiful things I have ever known ... you are the beauty itself ... you are all my life ...

***
[Photo: Magnificent Niagara Falls, courtesy of "Baran" photoblog by Mr. Mehdi Ahmadizadeh]

The greatest gift I ever had...Came from God, I call him Dad ...

2007-06-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

It's only when you grow up, and step back from him, or leave him for your own career and your own home – it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it. Pride reinforces love. [Margaret Truman]

In the lives of ours, there are some real people who always be source of inspiration for us. The real ones with tremendous amount of love, care and encouragement who are always there ...

In our lives, there are some rare people who are the heroes of our entire life ...

How thankful to God I have to be having a great source of inspiration in my life, a true love, amazingly wonderful father, a real hero and greater rolemodel of my entire life ...

... Happy Father's Day ...

Not even a single word can express the depth of the tremendous amount of respect I have for you in my heart ...

***
[First Photo: The real treasures of my life, My father, lovely brother Amir and My dearest mother at the wedding ceremony of two dear friends]

2007-06-10T02:26:00.000-07:00

مشتی خاکم. سبک و آزاد و بی تعلق. نامی ندارم و کسی مرا نمی شناسد. با باد سفر می کنم. گاهی در باغچه ای کوچک اقامت می کنم تا به ریشه ای کمکی کنم و غذای گیاهی کوچک را به او برسانم؛ و گاهی به بیابان می روم تا خلوتی کنم و از خورشید، سکوت و سوختن بیاموزم

بسیاری اوقات اما خاک پای عابرانم، خاک پای هر کودک و هر پیر و هر جوان. سال ها پیش اما تندیسی مغرور بودم با چشم هایی از عقیق، تراشیده و بالابلند. زندانی دیوار و سقف و مردم. فریفته پیشکش و قربانی و دست هایی که به من التماس می کرد. مردم خود مرا از کوه جدا کردند و تراشیدند و آوردند و بعد خود به پایم افتادند

هیچ کس به قدر من ناتوان نبود. آنها اما از من می خواستند که زمین را حاصلخیز کنم . آسمان را پرباران. می خواستند که گوسفندشان را شیرافشان کنم و چشمه ها را جوشان. من اما هرگز نه چشمه ای را جوشان کردم و نه گوسفندی را شیرافشان. و نه هرگز زمین و آسمان را حاصلخیز و پرباران

ستایش مردم اما فریبم داد. لذت تمجید، خون سیاهی بود که در تن سنگی ام جاری می شد. هیچ کس نمی داند که هر بتی آرام آرام بت می شود. بتان در آغاز به خود و به خیال دیگران می خندند. اما رفته رفته باور می کنند که برترند. من نیز باور کرده بودم

تا آن روز که آن جوان برومند به بتخانه آمد. پیشتر هم او را دیده بودم. نامش ابراهیم بود و هر بار از آمدنش لرزه بر اندامم افتاده بود. حضورش حقارتم را به رخ می کشید. دیگران که بودند حقارت خویش را تاب می آوردم. آن روز اما با هیچ کس نبود. بتخانه خالی بود از مردم. تنها او بود و تبری بر دوش. ترسیده بودم، می لرزیدم و توان ایستادم نداشتم

ابراهیم نزدیکم آمد و گفت: وای بر تو، مگر تو آن کوه نبودی که مدام تسبیح خدا می گفتی؟ مگر ذره ذره خاک تو نبود که از صبح تا غروب یاسبوح و یاقدوس می گفت؟

تو بزرگ بودی، چون خدا را به بزرگی یاد می کردی. چه شد که این همه کوچکی را به جان خریدی؟ چه شد که میان خدا وبندگانش، ایستادی؟ چه شد که در برابر یگانگی خداوند قد علم کردی؟ چه چیز تو را این همه در کفرت پابرجا و مصصم کرده است؟ چرا مجال دادی که مردم تو را بفریبند و تو مردم را؟ وای بر تو و وای بر هر آفریده ای که با آفریدگار خود خیال برابری کند.

و آن گاه تبرش را بالا برد اما هرگز آن را بر من فرود نیاورد. من خود از شرم فرو ریختم؛ غرورم شکست و کفری که در من پیچیده بود، تکه تکه شد

ابراهیم، تکه های مرا در دست گرفت و گفت: شکستن ابتدای توبه است و توبه ابتدای ایمان

و من در دست های ابراهیم توبه کردم و بار دیگر ایمان آوردم به خدایی که پاک است و شریکی ندارد

ابراهیم گفت: تو امروز شکستی، ای بت! اما مردم هرگز از پرستش بتان دست برنخواهند دشت. مردم می توانند از هر چیزی بتی بسازند، و اگر چوبی نباشد که آن را بتراشند و اگر سنگی نباشد که به پایش بیفتند، خیال خود را خواهند تراشید و به پای خود خواهند افتاد و خود را خواهند پرستید. و وای که پرستیدن هر چیز بهتر از پرستیدن خویش است

ابراهیم گفت: این مردم، خدا را کوچک دوست دارند؛ کوچک تر از خویش. خدایی یافتنی، خدایی ملموس و دیدنی. خدایی که بتوان بر آن خدایی کرد

اما خدایی که مثل هیچ کس و هیچ چیز نیست، خدایی که همه جا هست و هیچ جا نیست، خدایی که نه دست کسی به آن می رسد و نه در ذهن کسی می گنجد، خدایی دشوار است؛ و این مردم خدای آسان را دوست دارند

به دست های ابراهیم چسبیدم و گفتم: ای ابراهیم! مرا شکستی و رهانیدی از آن خدای سهل ساختگی، حالا تنها مشتی خاکم در برابر دشواری خدا چه کنم؟

ابراهیم گفت: تو خاکی مومنی و از این پس آموزگار مردم. شهر به شهر و کوه به کوه و دشت به دشت برو . به یاد این مردم بیاور که از خاکند و خاک را جز فروتنی، سزاوار نیست. و اگر روزی کسی به قصه ات گوش داد، برایش بگو که چگونه ستایش مردم، مغرورت کرد و چگونه غرور، مشتی خاک را بدل به بت می کند

من گریستم و دست های ابراهیم خیس اشک شد. او مشتی از مرا به آب داد و مشتی را به باد و مشتی را در رهگذار مردم ریخت...

عرفان نظرآهاری

He shows you to the angels ...

2007-06-08T02:42:00.000-07:00

When you help someone ... when you spend time with a person in need to solve his/her problem ... when you care, being of help to those who ask for it ... you shine upon them by making their days, bringing smile to their faces, hope to their hearts and all the good things to their minds ...

You know ... sometimes God shows you to the angels ... sometimes he feels so proud of you ... just like ... just like the time he congratulated himself for creating you ...

In this darkness of the night ...

2007-06-02T01:58:00.000-07:00

O' God, The Almighty ... provide us with the patience not to give up easily at the times of difficulties ...
And, let that patience be the beauty of our hearts and the peace of our souls making us enabled to see your presence and glory ... every time ... everywhere ... in every thing ... at the times of happiness and at the times of difficulty ...

O' God, The most beloved ... the night is getting darker and darker upon me ... where is the promised dawn of lights ... is not it near? ...

I ask you the patience to be the beauty of my heart ... the peace of my soul ...
I ask you the insight to see your signs in all the moments ... in all the places ...

I am asking for an "exit door" in this darkness of the night ... I am asking you the shining bright mornings ...

O' God, O The most beloved ... I am asking you for a way to be out of this night which takes me in completely ... is not the morning near? ...

You know ...

2007-05-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is the separation from the things that we once had, that makes us know their values better ...
Sometimes the fact that one is the only and the only person to take care of himself/herself makes that person for sure be more mature comparing to those who are living with the family...

The point here is, what the signs of this maturity are ... in other words, what are the differences of a person who has become more "seasoned" comparing to his fellows...

The other day I was in my office ... one of the freshman students came to me and wanted to know his grade for the course I was the TA for ... it was very obvious that he is really concerned about the grade of the homework and this was something that has made him very anxious ... I was thinking to myself, how beautiful was the time that my concerns were also like his ... how far it seems to me now ... like a far memory buried in the shadow when I was at the same situation with big concerns about the grade of my homework ...

I was talking to Ali in London, England the other day, he was sharing the same perceptions ... that fortunately/unfortunately our concerns, our worries have grown ... no more is homework a concern ... no more grades a concern (although they have been very successful Thank God) but it is no more a concern ...

Life in a very general meaning of it, has become the concern for us... the challenges, the difficulties, the plans for future, for marriage, for future investments, future business establishments, future jobs ... in a big picture ... and the daily challenges of dealing with many many people in the society every day from mechanic to plumber, from professors to students, from car dealer to home agents, from manager to employees, from bank manager to homeless people asking for help at nights ... all of it ...

Ali Jaan, we have been grown ... willingly or unwillingly ... it is even more growth and experience for us living in another society, with another culture, among other people who not necessarily see the things as we see or not necessarily have the same reactions to different things as we have ...

You know ... living abroad has taught us perfectly to prioritize our concerns and our worries every day at every situation ... it is long time that now that homework grade is one of the last priorities for us ... maybe it is sad, but it is the fact my friend ...

Sometimes, I think with myself that we particularly have been a generation who were born three years after a harsh revolution which changed the whole values and the organizational system of the society ... later on the experience of an exhausting 8-year war ... the memory of the terrible days has made us to think deep and serious about what ... about almost everything ... then the years of greed ... the years of forgetfulness ... the years of terrible inflation, malfunctioning economics and many many more ... then the era of being proud to read as many as "serious" books, knowing as many as "Thinkers" ... following the political news from all around the world ... then leaving the homeland to study abroad and the great experience of living in another society ...

Ali Jaan, we are indeed much older than we are ... I even look much older with my grey hair on my head here and there and with my study glasses on :-) ...

Ali Jaan, this is life ... now, I do respect my father more and more every day and every moment for an absolutely great human he is and for all the amazing experiences he has had ...

***
[Photo: Courtesy of photoblog www.hoomanb.com/pictures
The road between bautiful Kelardasht and the city of Abbas-Abad in Mazandaran, Beautiful Iran]