And Naw Ruz - all joy and bliss !

"Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw Rúz as a festival unto those who have observed the fast for love of Thee and absatined from all that is abhorrent unto Thee." Bahá'u'lláh

Today, the 21st of March, is Naw Ruz (also spelt Nowrūz or in Persian نوروز, which means New Day) and is the New Year of Persians, celebrated and observed by Iranian and Afghan peoples and the related cultural continent and has spread in many other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, Caucasus, South Asia, Northwestern China, the Crimea and some groups in the Balkans. The day marks first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian Calendar, as well as the Baha'i Calendar. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. As well as being a Zoroastrian holiday and having significance amongst the Zoroastrian ancestors of modern Iranians, the same time is celebrated in parts of the South Asian sub-continent as the new year. The term Nowruz in writing, first appeared in Persian records in the 2nd century AD, but it was also an important day during the time of the Achaemenids (c. 648-330 BC), where kings from different nations under the Persian empire used to bring gifts to the Emperor, also called King of Kings (Shahanshah), of Persia on Nowruz.

The UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Naw Ruz, describing it a spring festival of Persian origin which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September – 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nowrūz was officially registered on the UNESCOList of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are so many traditions associated with celebration of Naw Ruz, including jumping over a fire, and a "Hafd Sin", or "Haftseen" or the seven 'S's is a traditional table setting including seven specific items, all starting with the seen (Sā) in the Persian alphabet. Originally called Haftchin (Haftĉin), the Haft Seen has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families have the Haft Seen families as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Naw Ruz visitations The Haft Seen items are:

1. Sabzeh - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolising rebirth

2. Samanu - sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolising affluence

3. Senjed - dried oleaster fruit - symbolising love

4. Sir - garlic - symbolising medicine

5. Sib - apples - symbolising beauty and health

6. Somāq - sumac fruit - symbolising (the color of) sunrise

7. Serkeh - vinegar - symbolising old-age and patience

Where ever you are this year, if you are Persian or you are a Baha'i, may you have a splendidly joyous and spirited Naw Ruz and your year be filled with all delights, prosperity and health!

Its been a while....but lets share a laugh & get happy

It has been a while since I have offered this space attention, not sure whether to be sorry, or excited that I am back !!! Have been on the road more often than not in the past two months, which has its ups but many many downs as well... comprising mostly of stress and anxiety. Excessive travel does that, unsettles one.... I am sure we all can appreciate that. So what keeps the excessive travellar sane? I guess different people have different responses to that, mine has always been laughter. Laughter just does it for me. And its contagious, hence it generates relaxation and joy and an environment that encourages our endorphines to race around and take us into euphoria....Basically with a dose of good laughter you really won't need barbiturates or other toxic substances to give you a high. Not only has this been proven scieentifically, but anecdotal we all have evidence on how laughter relieves stress and in some instances also plays role of "medicine". Laughter fuels happiness and vice versa and happiness is the greatest healer of all.

In the Baha'i perspective of health and healing this holds much truth as it calls on innate peace that only spiritual growth and health can offer a human being. Thus the cliche "Laughter is the Bets Medicine" remains true if you muse it...try it...guaranteed you won't be disappointed.
“Joy gives us wings! in times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener…..But when sadness visits us our strength leaves us.” – Abdu’l-Baha

Of course many may question the ability to remain ‘happy’ under the various trials and difficulties that face us in this day. Especially within the context of political and socio-economic challenges prevailing across most of the globe. In this instance we need to be reminded that the true meaning of happiness does not lie in material and temporal domains; it is true happiness that enables spiritual and even physical and mental health in human beings. Happiness that ensues from obedience to the laws set down in the Holy Books of God. Happiness that is mirrored in the heart of those who choose to turn their faces to God.
Abdu’l-Baha reveals “Anybody can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, it is the proof of nobility” .

Indeed, as we ponder these Wise and Inspiring Revelations, let us remain HAPPY under all earthly conditions. How can we possibly consider harbouring any negative emotions in this Great Day ? So go ahead share a laugh and be happy - and remember that humor needs to be sensitive and culturally cognisant.....I sure am happy to be back on this space :)

have a 'positive' giggle

MindHabits Booster is a groundbreaking psychological game that aspires to change the way we think. Developed by doctors at McGill University, it is based on the idea that positive thinking takes practice. Recent studies show games like this can help people undo negative thought patterns and form new, more positive ones. By playing for five minutes a day, you can learn to ignore hostility and improve your self-esteem.

Play now! See if you can find the friendly face in the crowd. (It's harder than you think!....and bit silly too i guesss, but silly can be fun )http://health.ivillage.com/multimedia/0,,90r57fvc,00.html

Fellow Chocaholics let the joy ooze....

Now this is grand news.......and to be honest I don't really care what its implications on the number of inches gained on my hips and bottom! (that's why exercise was created (",) )

Scientists in 2006 have confirmed that "Eating chocolate may halve risk of dying"
"Regular consumption of cocoa may halve risk of dying and lower blood pressure, suggests a Dutch study in elderly men. But it is not necessarily good news for chocoholics, experts caution."
"The men in the group that consumed the least cocoa were twice as likely to die from a heart attack than those in the group that consumed the most cocoa – at least 4g per day – and the risk remained lower even when other factors such as smoking, physical exercise and weight were taken into account,” says lead researcher Brian Buijsse, at the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment.
“And men in the study who consumed the most cocoa were less likely to die of any cause,” he adds. The high-cocoa men also had significantly lower blood pressure than the other groups –... he says that cocoa-containing antioxidants chemicals, called flavanols, may be the cause. "
this is pretty dramatic ... and hopefully stays true after other studies ...

Original source: Journal reference: Archives of Internal Medicine (vol 166, p 411)New Scientist source: http://www.newscientist.com/channel/health/dn8780.html