Prolific Living

persian

A Gallery of Inspiration from Rumi: Why Love Is the Way

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You were born with wings; why prefer to crawl through life?
~Rumi

Who but us the current generation to preserve, cherish, and treasure the gems that our ancestors left us? Our rich heritage is not something that we should take lightly. Then again, who am I to say anything when in my own case, it was a long time before I even accepted my Persian roots, much less appreciate them properly!

What you seek is seeking you.
~Rumi

But when I did accept, the unexpected happened. [Read more…] about A Gallery of Inspiration from Rumi: Why Love Is the Way

Reflections on Iran: A Letter and A Conversation

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Letter_Farsi_IranAmerica

When I was 7 years old, I wrote a letter and mailed it to America to a cousin that I adored who was now living in a country that I only dreamt about.

What I would give to enter the world of the 7-year old me writing this letter from Iran during the worst revolution of my country’s history? What I would experience if I could behold her composing these simple Farsi words in an elementary style Persian handwriting? What I would say if I could only engage in one conversation with her? [Read more…] about Reflections on Iran: A Letter and A Conversation

Early Rising: Falling into a Rhythm

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Breeze at dawn in Hawaii

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you
Don’t go back to sleep
You must ask for what you really want
Don’t go back to sleep
Rumi, 13th century Persian poet

In 2006, I read an article by Steve Pavlina on becoming an early riser. I was instantly enthralled. That happens to me a lot, by the way. Green juicing is another example but the early rising story is much better.

Now I know it is easy to be enthralled with ideas when you are not able to even begin to imagine what it takes to accomplish them.

And enthralled I was.

For the next three years, I was undeterred in becoming an early riser [Read more…] about Early Rising: Falling into a Rhythm

A 13th Century Persian Poem Lives On

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How beautiful to see that timeless poetry and literary classics preserve their relevance across generations. How awe-inspiring that they transcend all nationalities, religions, ethnicity and apply to our life today. How extraordinary that such wisdom usually comes to us from the sages who have suffered greatly in their life. How fortunate for us that such forethought and wisdom was not all lost at the hands of humanity and survives still today.

Ant carrying load with Sa'adi phrase [Read more…] about A 13th Century Persian Poem Lives On

The Power of Traditions, Iranian Culture and Stories from a Cup

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If you ever leave your home country for another, you will no doubt gain a world of experience and adventure but you will still have to make some sacrifices, no matter who you are and whence you come. Let giving up your traditions not be one of those sacrifices!

Japanese coffee cup

Ah traditions! It may be the one thing of which Iranians have no shortage.

There is a tradition surrounding nearly every act and way of performing the ordinary stuff in life. There is a tradition on how to handle a compliment so as not to be jinxed yet remain polite and gracious in the process.

There is a tradition on how to accept food offered to you as a guest by resisting it the first 3 times you are offered, only to politely accept on the 4th occasion. There are no less than 200 traditions [Read more…] about The Power of Traditions, Iranian Culture and Stories from a Cup