Bahá'ís are in the middle of the fasting period that occurs just before New Year's Day (March 21) and a number of friends who are Christian are also observing lent. I was feeling sort of bereft, since I can no longer fast, even for the short 12 hours between sunrise and sunset. I think I've found a way to enjoy the spiritual bounties without the material focus this year. Shared in the latest article from the Baha'i site at BellaOnline.com.

Fasting and Sacrifice
The concept of sacrifice to show piety and reverence is a common thread in religion, including the Bahá'í Faith, but what happens when age or infirmity prevents engaging in that bounty?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art182885.asp

Don't forget to mark your calendars for parties coming up at the end of this week, on Naw-Rúz, New Year -- and especially remember that Bahá'í calendar days begin and end at sunset, so the party may likely be held the evening before March 21st. See this previous article on Bahá'í New Year:

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56091.asp

Do visit bahai.bellaonline.com for more articles on ways to change the world through improved parenting, education, and tools for character building, plus links to the sacred texts of the Bahá'í Faith. You don't have to rely on only my understanding, when you can go straight to the source!

Join free online discussions, view time sensitive announcements and check out interesting external links in the site forum located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=321

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback.

Cheryll Schuette, Baha'i Editor
http://bahai.bellaonline.com

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