delara, interrupted

Thanks to amazingly intense sinus pressure accompanied by headache this morning and for the past 4 hours, I am not fasting today and am instead praying to the Sudafed gods. I have to eat with the decongestant I am taking or I'll get a stomach ache and feel dizzy too. Bummer. But thank goodness the pain has subsided for now. Never mind that I still can't breathe through my right nostril - status quo for the past 3 days.

But I digress.

The Baha'i Fast has always held special significance for me. It is, as it is described in the Baha'i Writings, a period of spiritual reflection and reconnection for me. Thank goodness because I am feeling so out-of-sorts these days. Since the Fast ends with Naw Ruz, which is the beginning of a new calendar year for Baha'is, it is symbolic, to me, of purging, cleaning, renewing, and preparation. It is also the only time of the year I actually wake up before 6:00 AM and am happy to do so.

The morning time during the Fast is particularly special to me. Since winter is thinking about ending, the birds tentatively make their way out each morning and sing beautifully outside our home. If the wind is blowing, which is not unusual for Chicago, the wind chimes on our patio are just gorgeous to me. And when it's not-quite-light out yet, it's just heavenly to listen while saying prayers or reading something. Lovely, lovely.

So, this year I am hoping to be able to fast for the remaining 18 days, and I am also hoping that Naw Ruz will bring with it a renewed sense of purpose and clarity for me. I think if I clear out enough clutter that ought to be possible, no?