BAHEREH'S WRITINGS _________________________________________ SOCIAL RELATED ARTICLES:

“AN AlieN HEARTizen!”

From the Desk of the artist, Bahereh the Mama HEARTizen!

“Only a HEARTizen can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

Be a HEARTizen, Have a dual Citizenship!

HEARTizen is the new improved version of the artist formerly known as Bahereh!

“FINDING THE ALieN

IN ‘U’”

Hello!

My name is Bahereh. You can call me Mama HEARTizen! Here is the story:

Some time ago, in Winter of 1999, I wrote a story. I called it: HEARTizen! And I dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

When we are born, we are considered a citizen of any country we happen to be born in. I was born in a country that one can find it in the rain! It is called: IRAN. Subsequently, I am a citizen of Iran. Over 20 years ago, when I came to this country (USA), I was considered simply a FOREIGNER. Later on, when I became a permanent resident of the USA, I was called: An Alien, A Legal Alien! I even have a card to prove this claim!

My eyes tell many stories, and what I am about to share with you, here, is one of them. It is called:

“FINDING THE ALieN

IN ‘U’”

Who is an ALIEN

Who is Not?!

Perhaps Everyone!

Perhaps Not!

I am an ALIEN,

So R U.

I have IMAGINATION,

So do You!

If I can THINK,

So can ‘U’.

If I create,

You can too!

Put all you’ve got together,

That is ‘U’.

Unique & Special

I am too!

By the ALIEN ARTIST, Bahereh Khodadoost Copyright June 28, 1999 PA

* So, my friends, that was when I decided to become a HEARTizen and have a duel citizenship! In this way I can become part of the whole universe, and enjoy the beauty & the immensity of it all. I hope you do the same!

HEARTizens of all sizes and shapes have one thing in common, their ever-glowing HEART! Get your magical CRYSTAL Lens out, and watch your HEART glow, too!

I strongly believe that only a HEARTizen can heal the world!

I TRULY LOVE ALL COLORS! I wish to believe that the rainbow is the COLOR of ME, and perhaps IT is the COLOR of ‘U’, too! It is the color of Humanity!

HEARTizen! Prologue

All my life, I believed in MAGIC! Grown ups were telling me that I need to GROW UP, and give this crazy thought up! And many times I tried to do that, but the THOUGHT only got stronger & stronger inside of me, and I started believing in it, even more so!

I stayed as a believer, as long as I can Remember, and as long as ONE can Imagine!

Then, one day, I had this extraordinary experience! An experience of a life time! So, my friend, give me your heart-shaped hand, and I will take you with me, through a journey that you would never forget.! I, myself, am not the same from the very day that I had This EXPERIENCE!

At the beginning, there was only HEART(s), in between, there was only HEART(s), and at the end, there was only HEART(s)!

IS HEART/LOVE the center of the Universe, and the only reason for the whole EXISTENCE of the Universe?!

*****

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!

Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/

FREE the BIRD!

To read more, please log on to my website at: www.HEARTizen.com

And now, last and not least, is my ultimate song, called: HEARTizen Anthem. I hope every one of you join me in singing it. When we sing the HEARTizen Anthem, we stand up, and we put our left hand on the right side of our bodies, the reason is because a HEARTizen’s heart is located on the right side of their bodies, because they are mirror image of us, simply a REFLECTION of us!

HEARTizen Anthem

Oh my HEARTizen!

Come to me.

Open your heart,

you are my only guest tonight/today.

Come to me! Come to me! Come to me for a FLIGHT!

By: Bahereh

Copyright March 13, 1999

HEARTizen on-line!

* Dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

To read more, please log on to my website at: www.HEARTizen.com

“HEARTizen & ‘U’” The Summary

By: Bahereh

Aug. 1999 PA

From the Desk of the artist, Bahereh the Mama HEARTizen!

“Only a HEARTizen can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

Hello!

My name is Bahereh. You can call me Mama HEARTizen!

Here is the story:

A few months ago, I wrote a story. I called it: HEARTizen! And I dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World! When we are born, we are considered a citizen of any country we happen to be born in. I was born in a country that one can find it in the rain! It is called: IRAN. Subsequently, I am a citizen of Iran. Over 20 years ago, when I came to this country (USA), I was considered simply a FOREIGNER. Later on, when I became a permanent resident of the USA, I was called: An Alien, A Legal Alien! I even have a card to prove this claim!

My eyes tell many stories (have a story to tell), and what I am about to share with you, here, is one of them. It is called:

“FINDING THE ALieN

IN ‘U’”

Who is an ALIEN

Who is Not?!

Perhaps Everyone!

Perhaps Not!

I am an ALIEN,

So R U.

I have IMAGINATION,

So do You!

If I can THINK,

So can ‘U’.

If I create,

You can too!

Put all you’ve got together,

That is ‘U’.

Unique & Special

I am too!

By the ALIEN ARTIST, Bahereh Khodadoost

Copyright June 28, 1999

HEARTizens of all sizes and shapes have one thing in common, their ever-glowing HEART! Get your magical CRYSTAL Lens out, and watch your HEART glow, too!

I strongly believe that only a HEARTizen can heal the world!

I TRULY LOVE ALL COLORS! I wish to believe that the rainbow is the COLOR of ME, and perhaps IT is the COLOR of ‘U’, too! It is the color of Humanity!

*********

HEARTizen! Prologue

I stayed as a believer, as long as I can Remember, and as long as ONE can Imagine!

At the beginning, there was only HEART(s), in between, there was only HEART(s), and at the end, there was only HEART(s)!

IS HEART/LOVE the center of the Universe, and the only reason for the whole EXISTENCE of the Universe?!

****

HEARTizen, A Summary

Here is the short version of my ‘HEARTizen’ story, which by the way is dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

When I was 9 years old, one day, I went to my yard, and went on my yellow swing that was on a big branch of a tree, with blue ropes. As I was going higher & higher on the swing, I felt that I was getting closer to NATURE! Everything started touching me more, and more. I heard IT playing its music, the most wonderful music I have ever heard! The air was fresh, and the sound of the waves of sweet water in the creek running through my yard, was adding even more to my love for nature! There was lots of vibrations in the air, the leaves were dancing, and making a wonderful sound, the birds were singing, the flowers had their own dance, with a wonderful aroma, the nature was just FANTASTIC. I said to myself, that maybe I should call this place, FANTASIA! At this point, I became part of nature, and I started to sing the love songs that nature had sung forever!

I closed my eyes, and lots of shapes and lots of colors started appearing before my very eyes! These shapes started warming up my HEART, then I felt as if my heart was getting so big, that it could no longer fit inside my body. At this point, I closed my eyes even tighter, and I saw my heart going inside a pot, a miniature pot, small enough to fit inside a young child’s hands. Somehow I knew that the pot was made out of clay, and it contained the Essence of All Things, The very Essence of ‘U’! There was something very SACRED about it. As I watched my HEARTapproaching the clay pot, the lid came off, and my HEART entered in! I noticed that the lid had a stopper. The stopper was also made out of clay, which was adorned with textures taken from nature. I could not believe my eyes! How can I be sitting on my swing, going higher & higher, up in the sky, yet watch my HEART to travel into this pot? Does this pot possess any magical power, I questioned that?! Then The writing below started appearing in front of my closed eyes:

“Ashes to Ashes

Dust to Dust

Rainbow to Rainbow

Life to Life”

“Sacredness is the reality in every human being.”

I kept on repeating this poem like phrase. Next I knew, the clay pot started shaking, rattling, and the most beautiful & melodic song came out of it, I HEARD THE ANGELS’ SINGING! At this point, I noticed that the stopper on the other side of the clay pot came off. I realized that this stopper was made out of CRYSTAL! As it was coming off, the most exciting RAINBOW appeared all around it, it got bigger and bigger, until I saw myself inside of the rainbow. While being wrapped in the rainbow, I saw my HEART coming out of the clay pot in two pieces. It was divided into Two Tear-Drop shapes, made out of crystal, already had all the colors of the rainbow, even the pot of GOLD at the end of the Rainbow! They came out as two tiniest wings of spirit(s), and flew in front of my very own eyes, to start life anew! This Was LIFE ITSELF! I said to myself, What is this?! Is this Life After Life?! Is this a HIGHWAY to HEAVEN?! Although, I had many questions about this unusual experience, but I really didn’t care anymore as what to call it, I felt that I was in heaven, and that was good enough for me!

Yet, I did question the life I had here, and the other lives. I questioned the significance of my heart dividing in two, and then flying away. Their flight was like the ULTIMATE Flight, soaring so high, and carrying the rainbow with them. All I know it was the most beautiful flight that I have ever seen, or experienced! Their flying had a ribbon shape, and I knew that, because I could see the line of rainbows that they were making all around!

Then I opened my eyes, and everything was gone, except the CRYSTAL STOPPER! I picked it up, and I looked through it. Everything started to look more colorful, and prettier! I decided that I like LOOKING THROUGH A NEW LENS!!!

I carried the crystal inside my pocket, and went inside my house. From that day on, I did not let go of that little crystal, that had changed my life forever!

While inside the house, the Sun Set, and the Night fell. While in my bed, I got the crystal out, and I looked at every light around my room that I could think of! It was a beautiful site! How come I didn’t know about this life before!

Next day, I put the Crystal Stopper by my window, and I went about my business. The Sun was shining. In the middle of the day, I came to my room, and I saw the most beautiful rainbows appearing on the walls, and on the ceiling of my room. Some of them were dancing around! Then, one large rainbow kept on moving, until it reflected on the large mirror in my room. It was so great, because now this luscious rainbow was projected even once more on the opposite wall. I decided to get up, and go in front of the mirror, as I was moving around, the wonderful rainbow was touching different parts of my body. I loved the feel of it on my skin, on my face, and then on my hair. I could not tell what part of it I liked more! I had never felt that beautiful in my entire life. I did not know what to call it, I decided that It can be called: The Rainbow & ME!, I decided that I TRULY LOVE ALL COLORS! It is the COLOR of ME, and perhaps IT is the COLOR of ‘U’, too!

I started dancing and dancing, and the rainbow(s) started following me around, and once again I heard the Angels Singing!

Now, having the crystal in my life became part of the routine, although I have to admit that I continued loving the world that it created, and continued creating for me. I felt that, any more, nothing is ORDINARY, and I have found SACREDNESS in the Ordinary! I looked at everything in life through this LENS! And LIFE became more and more exciting to me!

I said to myself that I should continue believing in:

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!

Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/

FREE the BIRD!

And I did!

*********

I continued looking through this new LENS of mine, day after day, and night after night! Until one day, while looking through the crystal lens, I felt something very exciting was going to happen, and so IT DID! The night was approaching, and I could feel the movement in the air! Finally it was pitch dark, kind of a deep, deep, blue-black outside, and inside. I looked up at the sky, and I admired the beauty and immensity of it, once more. There was FULL MOON, which only added to my fascination, and I started my routine star gazing ritual! It was that night that it all happened!

As I was looking through the window, up in the sky, I got my crystal lens out. I did not have a specific target, I was just wandering around, in the vast universe of mine! Then, all of a sudden, as I looked up in the sky, I noticed something very unusual! I have no idea, what this planet is called. Out there in the sky, through my very tiny lens, in all rainbow colors, appeared this environment, that had a familiar shape, yet I have never heard of it in schools, nor in any books, or from any body.

I said to myself: Is this a meeting place?! A Secret Garden?! Is it there just for its outer beauty?! Is it there to encourage harmony which in return can bring joy to ALL?! Whatever it was, it was extremely exciting!

I continued this adventure, until dawn, it was at this time when something even more amazing happened! I saw a BEING, in a shape which was made out of nine various sizes of hearts, came out of the Garden of Nine Hearts environment, and like a feather, full of graceful energy, like a gentle breeze, flew towards me! At this point, I was in Awe! “Extraordinary!”, I exclaimed!

It had a HEART on the right side of its body, it was as if it was the MIRROR IMAGE of us, PEOPLE! It was as GOLD as it could be! It glowed in the dark, and the whole sky was lit by it! A Wondrous sound filled the air, and communicated with me: “I Am The First HEART Class HEARTizen!” IT entered my room, and filled my whole room with its magical beauty, with its purity, and with its mysterious power! Somehow I knew that this creature was the product of the experience I had, in relation with my heart traveling through the miniature clay pot. This was the other tear-drop shape, taken from my very own heart!

The creature was shimmering in the darkness of the night, crystal clear, and this was due to the presence of the waves of sweet water (representing the positive thoughts) that was running through it.

So this was the story of the 1st HEART Class HEARTizen! Now, when you look around, see if you can find any more of these Rare, yet Familiar creatures!

I have seen many of them in my life time. I have seen them mainly in the groups of 19 coming together in their Garden of Nine Hearts, joining their heart shaped hands together, and singing love songs! Amazingly, they do not need to have MOUTHS to sing! I usually see them, while nine of them are standing on top of each HEART in their Garden, and another nine smaller ones, sitting down next to them. Regardless, in the middle of the GARDEN, there stood the 1St HEART Class HEARTizen! Standing THERE with all its Grace, and all its Hearts! It was standing on top of a raised circle, identical to the shape of the miniature clay pot that I experienced sometime ago, in my yard! The Entity had the appearance of a MAMA HEART! They all seemed to have one thing in common, and this was their magical shimmery look, clear as crystal, due to the waves of sweet water (representing the positive thoughts) running through them, and the smallest parts of their bodies, their phenomenal HEARTS, which were located on the right side of their bodies. The MAMA HEART’s Heart glow in the dark, and lit the whole GARDEN. As this phenomenon happened, all the others’ hearts started responding, and it went back & forth, back & forth, and twinkled forever. Somehow I was convinced that that was the way these entities communicated with each other. They were moving around in a soft, gentle, flowing, circular motion, so rhythmically, as if their heart-shaped bodies were musical notes! Interestingly enough, their world responded in the same motion, and they were ALL Harmonized, as if this GARDEN OF NINE HEARTS was floating in space, and its inhabitants were floating along with it! Or visa versa! It looked like many tiny bubbles floating inside a larger bubble, while the larger one which was the Garden of Nine Hearts, floating in a rotating fashion! I said to myself: “What an amazing site to witness!” Their hearts jingled and caused the clear, sweet water inside of them flow & flow, until it all turned into a BEAUTIFUL ENERGY called ‘LOVE’! The younger ones were moving around somewhat differently, their movements were more joyous, and child-like. They were moving around almost like Fairies, joyful and light like tiny butterflies. Their atmosphere was filled with the sound of their laughter, which was beautifully synchronized with the melodious sound of the rest of the inhabitants. I NEVER KNEW THAT LAUGHTER HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL SOUND, before! They were all in perfect harmony, and they synchronized. The ring of their hearts was adorned with a SACRED SOUND, and the WHOLE UNIVERSE was filled with its wondrous power, and its beauty.

At this moment, I felt something running through my body, in the inside, and on the outside! As if this was not odd enough, the window of my room flapped wide open, and the 1st. HEART Class HEARTizen entered in, again like a gentle breeze, only this time IT was accompanied by all the others I was watching from a distance in their Garden of Nine Hearts! They all entered in, and used their musical-note-like bodies, lit my room so bright, that I can never ever explain it to you! This light came from the Waves of Sweet Water, their Life Force, that they all carried inside of their bodies. It dawned on me that that was the way they nourished their HEARTS! I believe that I have already told you about it. Now, I, myself, was completely saturated with the Clear Substance! As their Angel-like singing started filling up my entire room, the room itself started vibrating, just like the miniature clay pot that I have told you about earlier, it started shaking & rattling, then all at once it came to a halt! Everyone was in a still motion! I looked at myself, and I saw my own HEART framed in gold, glowing brightly in the dark! It was just as bright as the 1st. HEART Class HEARTizen’s Heart! No wonder! Wasn’t it my very own heart that some time ago went inside a miniature clay pot, and came out as in two tiny tear-drops?! Now, I have found my very own TWIN! (Who knows, may be someday, every one of ‘U’, and I mean it when I say, EVERY ONE OF YOU, can find your very own TWIN!) Together, we can change the world! Or maybe one can change one world for the better, and the other one can change another world for the better! Now, getting back to the story, as my HEART started glowing, I felt that my TWIN smiled at me, the sweetest smile you can possibly imagine, and we communicated our HEARTS with each other, and poured our hearts out by glowing back and forth, and then the rest joined us! This spectacular light show was accompanied by ALL Singing the Ultimate LOVE Song of the Universe, including me! At this point, I realized that this is the way these creatures HEARTS’ Beat! Wow! How Awesome! And I am included among them! I realized that this is the way they grow, from their Heart, like a Seed! They all start from that ‘Miniature size Heart’, and no matter what size they may grow into, it is that tiny heart that gives their life MEANING! So, Aren’t THEY like U?!, Are We like THEM?!, ARE WE ALL THE SAME?! At this moment, all I was concerned about, was the fact that I have never sung before, and now I am singing so beautifully! I was elated! I felt the ANGEL inside of me!

THERE WAS MAGIC IN THE AIR, and it all came from the core, the center, the essence of these HEARTful beings!

Their message was: Only HEART Can Set ‘U’ FREE!

May Every Day be a Valentine’s Day!

*********

The Epilogue

And B.Sacred HEARTizen continued the journey as long as the B. Sacred HEARTizen lived in the world of so many worlds! Somehow B. Sacred HEARTizen knew that everything B. Sacred HEARTizen had experienced in the HEART physical world will be traveling along with the B. Sacred HEARTizen, EVEN on the other side of the CURTAIN SHIELD or THE VEIL of RAIN, where ONE can see EVERYTHING, yet never quite sure if s/he can see it ALL!

HEARTizen just loved the beauty of it, the never-ending essence of it all. HEARTizen knew that the ENDING is only when ONE wants to call it an ENDING, THERE IS NO END! And YUP, There Is No Beginning, there is only HEARTS! Anyone who has flown with, and traveled through and over the rainbow(s) knows what I am talking about!

The River Will Go On, and the Memories Will Last Forever!

The End!

To Be Continued, MAYBE!

*********

The HEARTizen Anthem, is a song written by me, with the musical notations written by my 9 year old daughter, Sienna Mae Heath.

No one could convince me to sing, EVER, until I wrote this short HEARTizen Song! It came as a result of my 9 year old daughter (Sienna Mae) & I, playing around, on Saturday March 13,1999 (the lucky number of twelve plus one!) in our studio, when these words came to me, and I started singing it to Sienna, and she joined in, and the rest is history (or maybe HERstory!). I love to hear a large group of people singing it in a big auditorium!

Are ‘U’ interested in singing it?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below is the HEARTizen Anthem:

HEARTizen Anthem

Oh my HEARTizen!

Come to me.

Open your heart,

you are my only guest tonight/today.

Come to me! Come to me! Come to me for a FLIGHT!

By: Bahereh

Copyright March 13, 1999

HEARTizen on-line!

WWW.WYNDOWS.COM/GB

* Dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

NOTATION

Mi So Mi Re Do

Mi Re Do

Mi Re Do Do

Mi Re Do Mi Re Do La Do

Mi Re Do Mi Re Do Mi Re Do La La Do

Lettering Notation

E-G-E-D-C-

E-D-C-

E-D-C-C-

E-D-C-E-D-C-A-C-

E-D-C-E-D-C-E-D-C-A-A-C

Notation By: Sienna Mae Heath

P.S. The audio tape of the HEARTizen Anthem is available. You can place your order at: (610)863-3362 or E-mail:bahereh@wyndows.com

Another summary:

“HEARTizen & ‘U’” The Summary

By: Bahereh

Aug. 1999 PA

From the Desk of the artist, Bahereh the Mama HEARTizen!

Hello!

My name is Bahereh. You can call me Mama HEARTizen!

Here is the story:

A few months ago, I wrote a story. I called it: HEARTizen! And I dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

My eyes tell many stories (have a story to tell), and what I am about to share with you, here, is one of them. It is called:

“FINDING THE ALieN

IN ‘U’”

Who is an ALIEN

Who is Not?!

Perhaps Everyone!

Perhaps Not!

I am an ALIEN,

So R U.

I have IMAGINATION,

So do You!

If I can THINK,

So can ‘U’.

If I create,

You can too!

Put all you’ve got together,

That is ‘U’.

Unique & Special

I am too!

By the ALIEN ARTIST, Bahereh Khodadoost

Copyright June 28, 1999

I strongly believe that only a HEARTizen can heal the world!

*********

HEARTizen! Prologue

I stayed as a believer, as long as I can Remember, and as long as ONE can Imagine!

At the beginning, there was only HEART(s), in between, there was only HEART(s), and at the end, there was only HEART(s)!

IS HEART/LOVE the center of the Universe, and the only reason for the whole EXISTENCE of the Universe?!

****

HEARTizen, A Summary

Here is the short version of my ‘HEARTizen’ story, which by the way is dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

When I was 9 years old, one day, I went to my yard, and went on my yellow swing that was on a big branch of a tree, with blue ropes. As I was going higher & higher on the swing, I felt that I was getting closer to NATURE! Everything started touching me more, and more. I heard IT playing its music, the most wonderful music I have ever heard! The air was fresh, and the sound of the waves of sweet water in the creek running through my yard, was adding even more to my love for nature! There was lots of vibrations in the air, the leaves were dancing, and making a wonderful sound, the birds were singing, the flowers had their own dance, with a wonderful aroma, the nature was just FANTASTIC. At this point, I became part of nature, and I started to sing the love songs that nature had sung forever!

Next I knew, the clay pot started shaking, rattling, and the most beautiful & melodic song came out of it, I HEARD THE ANGELS’ SINGING! At this point, I noticed that the stopper on the other side of the clay pot came off. I realized that this stopper was made out of CRYSTAL! As it was coming off, the most exciting RAINBOW appeared all around it, it got bigger and bigger, until I saw myself inside of the rainbow. While being wrapped in the rainbow, I saw my HEART coming out of the clay pot in two pieces. It was divided into Two Tear-Drop shapes, made out of crystal, already had all the colors of the rainbow, even the pot of GOLD at the end of the Rainbow! They came out as two tiniest wings of spirit(s), and flew in front of my very own eyes, to start life anew! This Was LIFE ITSELF! I said to myself, What is this?! Is this Life After Life?! Is this a HIGHWAY to HEAVEN?! Although, I had many questions about this unusual experience, but I really didn’t care anymore as what to call it, I felt that I was in heaven, and that was good enough for me!

I carried the crystal inside my pocket, and went inside my house. From that day on, I did not let go of that little crystal, that had changed my life forever!

I started dancing and dancing, and the rainbow(s) started following me around, and once again I heard the Angels Singing!

I said to myself that I should continue believing in:

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!

Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/

FREE the BIRD!

And I did!

*********

As I looked up in the sky through my crystal lens, I noticed something very unusual! I have no idea, what this planet is called. Out there in the sky, through my very tiny lens, in all rainbow colors, appeared this environment, that had a familiar shape, yet I have never heard of it in schools, nor in any books, or from any body.

There it was, a place that was made out of HEARTS! It can be called ‘THE GARDEN OF NINE HEARTS’! Its shape was based on the Flow of Energy, called ‘Love’, the Ultimate, the Absolute. It was shimmery, and clear as crystal, and that is because of the waves of sweet water (representing the positive thoughts) running through it. Then, I saw a BEING, in a shape which was made out of nine various sizes of hearts, came out of the Garden of Nine Hearts environment, and like a feather, full of graceful energy, like a gentle breeze, flew towards me! At this point, I was in Awe! “Extraordinary!”, I exclaimed!

Shortly after that I saw this ENTITY again, out there, up in the sky, in The Garden of Nine HEARTs, along with other HEARTizens. The Entity had the appearance of a MAMA HEART! They all seemed to have one thing in common, and this was their magical shimmery look, clear as crystal, due to the waves of sweet water (representing the positive thoughts) running through them, and the smallest parts of their bodies, their phenomenal HEARTS, which were located on the right side of their bodies. The MAMA HEART’s Heart glow in the dark, and lit the whole GARDEN. As this phenomenon happened, all the others’ hearts started responding, and it went back & forth, back & forth, and twinkled forever. Somehow I was convinced that that was the way these entities communicated with each other. They were moving around in a soft, gentle, flowing, circular motion, so rhythmically, as if their heart-shaped bodies were musical notes! Interestingly enough, their world responded in the same motion, and they were ALL Harmonized, as if this GARDEN OF NINE HEARTS was floating in space, and its inhabitants were floating along with it! Or visa versa! It looked like many tiny bubbles floating inside a larger bubble, while the larger one which was the Garden of Nine Hearts, floating in a rotating fashion! I said to myself: “What an amazing site to witness!” Their hearts jingled and caused the clear, sweet water inside of them flow & flow, until it all turned into a BEAUTIFUL ENERGY called ‘LOVE’! The younger ones were moving around somewhat differently, their movements were more joyous, and child-like. They were moving around almost like Fairies, joyful and light like tiny butterflies. Their atmosphere was filled with the sound of their laughter, which was beautifully synchronized with the melodious sound of the rest of the inhabitants. I NEVER KNEW THAT LAUGHTER HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL SOUND, before! They were all in perfect harmony, and they synchronized. The ring of their hearts was adorned with a SACRED SOUND, and the WHOLE UNIVERSE was filled with its wondrous power, and its beauty.

At this moment, I felt something running through my body, in the inside, and on the outside! As if this was not odd enough, the window of my room flapped wide open, and the 1st. HEART Class HEARTizen entered in, again like a gentle breeze, only this time IT was accompanied by all the others I was watching from a distance in their Garden of Nine Hearts! They all entered in, and used their musical-note-like bodies, lit my room so bright, that I can never ever explain it to you! This light came from the Waves of Sweet Water, their Life Force, that they all carried inside of their bodies. It dawned on me that that was the way they nourished their HEARTS! I believe that I have already told you about it. Now, I, myself, was completely saturated with the Clear Substance! As their Angel-like singing started filling up my entire room, the room itself started vibrating, just like the miniature clay pot that I have told you about earlier, it started shaking & rattling, then all at once it came to a halt! Everyone was in a still motion! I looked at myself, and I saw my own HEART framed in gold, glowing brightly in the dark! It was just as bright as the 1st. HEART Class HEARTizen’s Heart! No wonder! Wasn’t it my very own heart that some time ago went inside a miniature clay pot, and came out as in two tiny tear-drops?! Now, I have found my very own TWIN! (Who knows, may be someday, every one of ‘U’ can find your very own TWIN!) Together, we can change the world for the better! Now, getting back to the story, as my HEART started glowing, I felt that my TWIN smiled at me, the sweetest smile you can possibly imagine, and we communicated our HEARTS with each other by glowing back and forth, and then the rest joined us! This spectacular light show was accompanied by ALL Singing the Ultimate LOVE Song of the Universe, including me! At this point, I realized that this is the way these creatures HEARTS’ Beat! Wow! How Awesome! And I am included among them! I realized that this is the way they grow, from their Heart, like a Seed! They all start from that ‘Miniature size Heart’, and no matter what size they may grow into, it is that tiny heart that gives their life MEANING! So, Aren’t THEY like U?!, Are We like THEM?!, ARE WE ALL THE SAME?! At this moment, all I was concerned about, was the fact that I have never sung before, and now I am singing so beautifully! I was elated! I felt the ANGEL inside of me!

THERE WAS MAGIC IN THE AIR, and it all came from the core, the center, the essence of these HEARTful beings!

Their message was: Only HEART Can Set ‘U’ FREE!

So this was the story of the 1st HEART Class HEARTizen! Now, when you look around, see if you can find any more of these Rare, yet Familiar creatures!

*********

The HEARTizen Anthem, is a song written by me, with the musical notations written by my 9 year old daughter, Sienna Mae Heath.

Are ‘U’ interested in singing it?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below is the HEARTizen Anthem:

HEARTizen Anthem

Oh my HEARTizen!

Come to me.

Open your heart,

you are my only guest tonight/today.

Come to me! Come to me! Come to me for a FLIGHT!

By: Bahereh

Copyright March 13, 1999

HEARTizen on-line!

WWW.WYNDOWS.COM/GB

* Dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

NOTATION

Mi So Mi Re Do

Mi Re Do

Mi Re Do Do

Mi Re Do Mi Re Do La Do

Mi Re Do Mi Re Do Mi Re Do La La Do

Lettering Notation

E-G-E-D-C-

E-D-C-

E-D-C-C-

E-D-C-E-D-C-A-C-

E-D-C-E-D-C-E-D-C-A-A-C

Notation By: Sienna Mae Heath

P.S. The audio tape of the HEARTizen Anthem is available. You can place your order at: (610)863-3362 or E-mail:bahereh@wyndows.com

*****

HEARTizen! Prologue

I stayed as a believer, as long as I can Remember, and as long as ONE can Imagine!

At the beginning, there was only HEART(s), in between, there was only HEART(s), and at the end, there was only HEART(s)!

IS HEART/LOVE the center of the Universe, and the only reason for the whole EXISTENCE of the Universe?!

****

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!

Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/

FREE the BIRD!

*****

The HEARTizen Anthem, is a song written by me, with the musical notations written by my 9 year old daughter, Sienna Mae Heath.

Are ‘U’ interested in singing it?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Below is the HEARTizen Anthem:

HEARTizen Anthem

Oh my HEARTizen!

Come to me.

Open your heart,

you are my only guest tonight/today.

Come to me! Come to me! Come to me for a FLIGHT!

By: Bahereh

Copyright March 13, 1999

HEARTizen on-line!

WWW.WYNDOWS.COM/GB

* Dedicated to All the ‘HEARTizens’ of the World!

***

Hairy Potters

Presents:

“Gracie Locks, Lawn Worshipers & The Three ALieN Bears”

Written & directed by:

Bahereh, a Proud FOOL-Time Artist!

Performed by Bahereh, Walter, & Sienna Mae.

Dedicated to the Promotion of CREATIVITY & The ARTS!

Copyright Dec. 2000! Pen Argyl, PA

Watch out!

An ALieNLives Here!!!

No, No, No! Three ALieNs Live Here!!!

‘I See Three Hairy Bushy Gorey Potters!’

Once upon a time, in a far away land, in a land of DREAMS, in a small town, lived a family of strange visitors from another planet, three Alien Artists who worked quietly with CLAY in their little studio in the woods, day in and the day out! Their names were: Papa Bear ‘Walter’, Mama Bear ‘Bahereh’, and Wee little Baby Bear ‘Sienna Mae’.

Their life was wonderful and filled with many wonders, except for the GRASS! They enjoyed watching the Grass Grow & Grow, and Blow & Blow, but they had to deal with Gracie Locks who was obsessed with EVENLY SHORT GRASS which was not very flattering! Every time they watched the Grass Grow, they had to cut it, but they decided to cut it in a Flowing Wavy way resembling the waves of an ocean and at times looking like never-ending flowing of one Giant Spiral following other spirals in a graduated manner, but then they had to face Gracie Locks! Gracie Locks would come and Cut their beautifully cut grass to an ugly extremely short even cut! Then Gracie Locks would worship the Freshly Evenly Cut Grass and would demand the Hairy Potters do the same! One day Gracie Locks came and saw the Wavy Flowing Tall Grass and got upset! The Three Alien Hairy Potters politely asked: Please Kiss My Grass!!!

Many nights they were left out in the yard, outside their studio to Praise the beautiful freely growing grass verses the Mighty Cut Grass, and to REFLECT on their lives before and Beyond!

Meanwhile Gracie Locks, who was only concerned with the height of the Grass, never did anything in her life except being busy with matters of consequence, the MIGHTY GRASS!!! But she was not alone, there were many more “Lawn Worshipers’ who lived in the same town. This group of people spent their entire life mowing & manicuring their lawn, and more often than not, didn’t even enjoy their lawn, hardly seen walking or sitting on their lawn. In a word they LIVED for their MIGHTY LAWN, and the lawn was not for them to enjoy. Some of them, they even used a pair of scissors & got as close as possible to the ground ‘to pay homage & respect to the MIGHTY GRASS!’ to trim the grass!

Two/ Too/ To many of these LAWN WORSHIPERS, if the Grass was 1” tall, it was already considered too long, or perhaps it was TOOOOOOOOO LOOOOOOOOONG! That was why the HAIRY POTTERS could not even fathom joining the LAWN WORSHIPERS! Their interest was living their lives while trying to get along with others, and trying to make positive changes not only in their lives, but in the life of the community as a whole, and the community at large.

So, the Saga was going on and on and on and on....

Then, one night when the air was crisp, and Fall Season was near, the TRIO departed. The next day, the PASSERS BY noticed that the three ALieN Papa, Mama, and the Baby Bear were gone! Perhaps they were gone because their MISSION on Earth was accomplished & their Mothership arrived overnight and took them back to their Far, Far Away Planet. What was left behind to carry on with their Legacy, were a few Alien Seeds, and a Bountiful Giving Apple Tree ’Pristine’ planted so lovingly by the ALieN Baby Bear. So, the BEAT CAN GO ON!

So, be assured that whenever the time of your leaving comes, you perhaps will leave IT with many fond memories. You may feel that you are on your journey searching for the LIGHT, and you may feel that each time you try to spread your wings to fly, there is an attempt to clip and chop it away. But, PLEASE Do Not Give Up in your journey in bringing some peace & harmony to the world, and you must not! Focus on the Children! This notion is enough to keep ONE going and continue in the path. ‘The seeds are planted! And with time, they will BEAR fruit! It becomes tangible, and a visual melody, called: HUMANITY will come to Life! And the World becomes a BETTER place.

Be a strong believer of Unity in its true sense. Unity that embodies the Essence of Humanity/ The Essence of All Things. Believe in the unity, beauty, purity, and the universality of the Rainbow & the Butterfly, and what they represent. Believe that we are all connected to Nature; we share its forms, shapes, colors, textures, and its essence/ its spirits, FLIGHT!

So be filled with the LIGHT, and go about your FLIGHT! And all will be fine!

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!

Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/

FREE the BIRD!

CIRCLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE!

“It is the CIRCLE that Unites Us All!”

AlieN HEARTizen!!!!

“Only an ALieN can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

Be a HEARTizen, Have a dual Citizenship!

The END!!!

To Be Continued! Maybe!!! Maybe Not!!!

Bahereh, Walter, and Sienna Mae Proud FOOL-Time Artists!

Dedicated to the Promotion of CREATIVITY & The ARTS!

Bahereh Khodadoost 610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.comWebsite:www.HEARTizen.com

This FUN PLAY is available for your enjoyment!

Hairy Potters Presents:

“Gracie Locks, Lawn Worshipers & The Three ALieN Bears”

Written & directed by:

Bahereh, a Proud FOOL-Time Artist!

Performed by Bahereh, Walter, & Sienna Mae.

Dedicated to the Promotion of CREATIVITY & The ARTS!

Copyright Dec. 2000! Pen Argyl, PA

I wear many hats!

Below are a few of the hats I wear:

Bahereh, the Rainbow Gazer/ Rainbow Chaser!

Bahereh, the Rainbow Head!

Yam Yam, the Spud, the PotAngela, the artist formerly known as Bahereh!

Bahereh Khodadoost ARTIST/ WRITER/ MULTI-CULTURAL EDUCATOR

Bahereh t, the WRITER!

Bahereh, the EDUCATOR!

Bahereh t, the CLAY Lover!

Bahereh, the LANGUAGE Lover!

Bahereh, the ART Lover!

Bahereh, the SOCIAL Issue Writer!

Bahereh, the AlieN HEARTizen!

ShahPing Consultant The artist formerly known as Bahereh

ShahPing, High Priestess of The Sacred Lyght, The Fourth Malliqacian Profit the artist formerly known as Bahereh!

Bahereh, the Mystic Gypsy

Bahereh Khodadoost, the Crazy Bahereh, Known as The EYErainian woman of the Slate Belt!

Bahereh Khodadoost, the DAMN FOREIGNER!, Known as The EYErainian woman of the Slate Belt!

Bahereh Khodadoost, the DUMB FOREIGNER!, Known as The EYErainian woman of the Slate Belt!

And Now:

Bahereh the WILD CAT!

Bahereh the token philistine!

ShahKing (Shocking?) The artist formerly known as Bahereh!

Bahereh, the individual who CELEBRATES the spirit and the beauty embedded in all the diverse holidays and holy days in the whole world!

- These titles apply to my various classes and workshops. Written descriptions on my Classes & Workshops are available upon request. Please feel free to let me know which one of these HATS are welcome in your school/ Organization! The ShahPing title which is a character in a Science Fiction Story, written by Walter Heath is simply given to me by the author. So, don’t forget if you are for Shopping for Profit, Contact me!

Sincerely,

Bahereh Pen Argyl, PA

The Twin Towers of NYC, A TRAGEDY

Did any one see the angels circling around the Twin Towers of NYC on Sept. 11, 2001?

A human tragedy , a Universal Tragedy, the loss of many, many innocent people took place in front of my very own eyes last Tuesday morning shortly after 9 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001. Apparently the terrorists hijacked two air-craft and crashed them along with all the passengers on the planes into the Twin Towers of NYC. What kind of a beast can do such a thing, no one who has even an ounce of humanity can cause so much pain. My heart aches ever since the incident which unfolded on my TV screen that morning. As I watched in complete shock and horror, as I watched the fire engulfing the Two Towers, and as I witnessed along with many other people, the Twin Towers one after the other started collapsing. Oh my God, there were many people dying, yet simultaneously I saw the angels circling around the Twin Towers lifting up the spirits of the innocent victims of this horrific crime under their wings and flew them away to the safety of Heaven. Among these angels I saw my beloved parents who lived their lives to promote love, compassion and unity. I realized that the spirits of these victims were gone before the buildings came to their knees. The victims of the horrific crime, the innocent people of this tragedy didn’t hit the ground, rather they reached to their final destination, the Heaven, under the wings of the angels before the building collapsed. Although the extreme ugliness of this tragedy is still with me and deeply hurts my soul, and I am deeply saddened by it , but I am certain that those innocent victims of this terrible and unspeakable crime are resting in peace in Heaven among the angels of God. I love the colors of the rainbow, but that morning the whole earth turned gray in front of my eyes, I could not breath, but the angels came and with them brought the beauty of the goodness which is embedded in the hearts of most human beings. Since that day we as a nation, and we as the citizens of the world community have witnessed more and more goodness coming out of people who care for the well being of each other. The same fire that destroyed so many, purified our souls, and united America, and all the humanists all over the world. That morning I felt that I as a member of the world society lost all my children, brothers and sisters, my parents, and all my relatives all at once. Now, I tell myself that I should do something besides crying which I have done plenty in the past few days, I have lit candles, and I have done lots of praying for the relatives of the victims, and for Humanity as a whole. I have prayed and continue working towards a world of love and compassion, and above all towards a just society as a whole.

It is the circle that unites us all!

Sincerely, Bahereh

Sept. 15, 2001 Pen Argyl, PA

*********

Sept. 21, 2001- Pen Argyl, PA

Two Towering Memorials of NYC

This morning I woke up with this vision. The vision is to rebuild the Twin Towers of NYC, to build them as a memorial to the victims of the last week’s unspeakable terrorist attack, to all the victims, dead or alive. To build a VERTICAL MEMORIAL in honor of all the people who perished in the last week‘s TRAGEDY. This memorial in my opinion should be built in VERTICAL format, as tall as those towers were or even taller than the original towers. In the shape of two GIANT TREES/ FLOWERS, with its base on the ground and branching (preferably flexible branches) out to a multitude of branches adorned with flickering lights that are lit 24 hours a day. At night, its lights will fill the sky like two GIANT glowing flowers that can be seen from below and from above, and from near and from far alike. Hope my humble vision will be taken under the consideration. With absolute sincerity, Bahereh Khodadoost, an Iranian living in America, a humanist and an artist who lives in Pen Argyl, PA. I can be reached at:

Bahereh Khodadoost

423 Mountain Ave. Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072

610-863-3362 or E-mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com www.HEARTizen.com

HEARTizen!

“Only a HEARTizen can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

-Bahereh

"Bush & I" Taking sides won't bring peace

Although I agree with most of the issues addressed in President George W. Bush’s speeches, I must confess that there is one remark that troubles me every time I hear it.

I hear in his speeches repeatedly statements to the general public and the world at large that whoever does not agree with him is against him and is with the enemy, the terrorist.

This notion of labeling people and, in a sense, threatening them that if they dare to think differently is not acceptable, genuinely concerns me. The concern is not about my agreeing or disagreeing, rather it is about the danger of these kinds of statements.

This great country was founded on the virtue of Freedom, so Mr. President should allow people to think. Doesn’t he see that these kinds of statements discourage one from exercising his or her ability to see clearly and to think clearly.

After all, 9/11 was not only an American tragedy, rather it was a human tragedy , a Universal Tragedy, the loss of many, many innocent people. I, personally feel that as a member of the world society, I lost many of my relatives and friends on that tragic day. Of course, we as Humanity as a whole, must continue working toward a world of love and compassion, and above all toward a just world society. Let’s hope and work toward World Peace!

God Bless !

Proud to Be !

It is the circle that unites us all!

Sincerely, Bahereh

The reason I wrote the article above:

Although I believe in Justice, but I also believe that we should analyze the situation more carefully and figure out if there was anything we could have done to prevent the 9/11 tragedy, or for that matter any tragedy. And if we have taken any part in feeding it, make sure that we don’t repeat it. Also, In my opinion, anything we do in life should hold the well being of all people in mind, and not the interest of a few.

I believe in Justice, but we should not go about justice from a place of anger. Of course we must not forget any tragedies, but it is all about how we go about fixing it. For example, the situation in Israel and Palestine is a proof that retaliation does not work, and we must find a better way to deal with the situation. I guess sometimes in the heat of the battle we as humans are still in the anger mode after being frightened to death with the events of 9/11. We need to understand the fact that ‘ANGER is only one letter short of dANGER’. I have tried to raise an issue which seems to be prevalent even in our schools today, which is the attitude of most of the students, which ultimately involves every body. I am concerned about the over-all group attitude of “if you are not my friend, you are my enemy!”. What is happening even in our schools today, is very concerning. Even in this little town of Pen Argyl, there are so many issues of concerns. How can we expect our children to resolve conflicts peacefully when everything around them sends a different message.

Bahereh

“Concern”/ Violence breeds more violence/ Resolve differences without war

Another shooting! Another shooting! Another school shooting took place today. This time in Pennsylvania, where I live with my family. My heart aches. Again and again this thought comes to mind and concerns me greatly: How can we expect our children to resolve conflicts peacefully when everything around them sends a different message.

I am trying to raise an issue which seems to be prevalent even in our schools today, which is the attitude of most of the students, and ultimately involves every body. I am concerned about the over-all group attitude of “If you are not my friend, you are my enemy!”. How can we expect to have a safer world when we go about it via war. Isn’t it naive to think that war can lead us to safety and to world peace?! What is happening, even in our schools today, is extremely concerning. Again, how can we expect our children to resolve conflicts peacefully when everything around them sends a different message. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not against the American troops, on the contrary, I am quite supportive of these dedicated, selfless individuals.

My hope is that someday we as a world society, as the Human Race, delete the word “enemy” from our vocabulary. No matter who kills who, in reality we are killing our blood relatives, because underneath it all, we are all brothers and sisters, and as brothers and sisters, we must resolve our differences through love, compassion, negotiations, justice, understanding, diplomacy, and above all, through the preservation of human dignity.

Sincerely,

Bahereh

“Shattered Musical Instruments”

In the recent news of the war in Iraq, there were many incidents of looting. There was one incident of looting in the School of Music in Baghdad. After the looting, I watched a brief interview with an Iraqi gentleman who apparently was the head of the school. He was openly heartbroken. Despite his plea to save the Musical Instruments, the looters broke them without any concern, apparently this sweet teacher of Music could not prevent the incident despite his trying to get help. He said, “How can I tell my 4 children and the other students that their Musical Instruments are destroyed?!” He then quietly sat down at the Western Piano that somehow was spared from destruction and played a beautiful Iraqi tune that touched my whole being.

Now I am shattered. Why? Because I am a clay artist/ a potter. I understand with all my heart that as the clay pots each possess their own soul, so do these beautiful objects we call Musical Instruments. As my clay pots carry a sacred and eternal message, so do these Musical Instruments. The more they are played, the more souls are touched by them, the more souls they possess. No doubt, these instruments were played a lot, therefore they carried some unique energies from the ones who played them, and from the ones who listened to their sounds. Even if some person or organization provides this man or the school the funds to purchase new Musical Instruments, they won’t be the same, because one cannot replace them, simply because the new Musical instruments cannot be the same as the ones that were lost. They cannot hold the same energy, but hopefully over a period of time, they will hold new energies, and they will have their own unique essence. Let’s hope for better days!

Sincerely,

Bahereh

To Whom it May Concern: (COVER LETTER/CHILDREN)

All over the world, there exists many forms of prejudice. Prejudice is the direct result of IGNORANCE & FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. Although its manifestation, and its form may vary from one place to another, but nevertheless it does exist. Prejudice is destructive not only to the progression of one’s soul, but to the advancement of HUMANITY as a whole. It acts as a barrier, and obstacle to the formation of UNITY OF PEOPLE. Prejudicial attitude is caused by the lack of TRUE EDUCATION in the World’s Cultures. Unfortunately, many people get their information via mass media. The recipient’s perception of one group of people is sometimes swayed inappropriately due to the way that group of people is portrayed by the media. This may make one group of people think that they are above and better than another group of people, to the point of looking at the other group as ENEMY; to the point of DEHUMANIZING the other group of people; to the point that their lives have no value in the eyes of the group which thinks it is SUPERIOR. Even when PEOPLE are killed in this type of situation, there is very little or NO COMPASSION shown by the group that thinks it has the right to be in control. THIS produces a PATRIOTIC ATTITUDE WITHOUT ANY BASE, without true knowledge or understanding. Being PROUD of one’s heritage is admirable, but only when it is achieved through GAINED KNOWLEDGE processed with fair-mindedness, and not only by vain imagination.

LET US, AS PEOPLE, TAKE PRIDE, NOT ONLY FOR BEING A CITIZEN OF A COUNTRY, BUT RATHER FOR BEING A WORLD CITIZEN!

If WE as HUMANISTS, feel that it is important to change this type of behavior in any given society, WE need to take action. Maybe the following steps can be helpful:

1- RECOGNIZE that PREJUDICE exists in the world at large.

2- LET US ASK OURSELVES: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

3- I, as a member of the WORLD SOCIETY, am convinced that EDUCATION (TRUE EDUCATION) is the KEY to solving this problem.

4- WE as PEOPLE (children and adults) can become educated about VARIOUS CULTURES. Every culture is MULTIFACETED. When one studies the history of any given society, whether its MUSIC, ART, LITERATURE, SCIENCE, and RELIGION, s/he realizes that each culture has played a major role in the WORLD’S CULTURE. Each culture has its own MERITS. Once we, as members of the society at large, open up to each other with open eyes, open minds, and open hearts; we can learn and benefit from each other. That is what needs to be taught to ourselves and to our youngsters. It is fine to recognize there are positive points and negative points in every culture, and in every part of the world, but the EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON THE POSITIVES.

The HOPE is, by doing so, one becomes educated on the Culture of the World, and therefore s/he becomes less prejudice.

5- Once this task of UNDOING THE EXISTING PREJUDICES is achieved, there would be very little or no fear, misconception, or misunderstanding among ALL people.

I happen to be one of those people who has the desire, the inclination, the knowledge, and the tools to be instrumental in the accomplishment of this vital task. Therefore, if you think that I can assist you in this task of undoing the prejudices and biases in the WORLD SOCIETY, please contact me at:

423 Mountain Ave. Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072 Phone (610)863-3362
e-mail: bahereh@wyndows.com
Web Site: www.wyndows.com/gb

Sincerely,

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath
May 1996
Pa.

P.S. I often think of The Native Americans whose thought formation is around the CIRCLE, and the Modern Western Society that forms everything around the SQUARE. After all, it is the CIRCLE that symbolizes UNITY. These thoughts come to my mind even when I observe the Circle Dance verses Square Dance.

Copyright 1996

BACK TO INDEX
_________________________________________

“CHILDREN”

There are many similarities between people everywhere. We all have our physical bodies, our intellect, our emotions, and above all, we all are spiritual beings. All over the world, people’s hearts beat the same. We all have emotions, sometimes we are happy, sometimes we are sad, sometimes we feel anger, and we all have to deal with these emotions. Children, all over the world, play, laugh, sometimes cry, and sometimes they feel anger that they need to deal with, etc.... We share the same planet “EARTH”, and we enjoy the beauty and immensity of its sky and its nature. We all look at the same sky at night, and are fascinated by the beauty of its stars and the moon. During the day, we all look at the same “SUN”, and benefit from its rays. Nature has its own beauty; all over the world people enjoy the aroma of various flowers, trees and the wonderful crops that it produces. Poets, writers, and musicians all around the world have written and write about the beauty of it, literally, poetically, metaphorically, and spiritually. Even when we as people, from the diverse schools of thought, worship an entity calling “GOD”, “THE GREAT SPIRIT”, etc..., we worship the same God, or the same entity; because, after all, GOD is LOVE, and LOVE does not know any boundaries.

When studying the various ancient arts from different parts of the world, their similarities are obvious, yet exciting. One can not help but think that we as people are created very much the same. There has always been and there will always be KNOWLEDGE in the universe, and once it is captured by an individual such as an artist/craftsperson, it will become timeless.

When I look at the children’s drawings, colorings, paintings, from different countries, and recognize the similarities in the images they produce, I can not help but think how similar we are when it comes to our very nature. One can find many similarities in children’s writings as well. When I go to the lake, and feed the birds, I see myself as a child standing next to my six year old daughter, and I see and hear the kids all over the world experiencing the wonderful, yet basic, joy of feeding the ducks. The sight of snow falling brings the same joy in the children, and in the people young at heart, all the world around.

What is it about the rainbow that brings the ultimate joy in the viewer’s heart? Children’s paintings are filled with the images of this phenomenon. What causes the attraction, I am not sure, but the fact is, that the attraction is universal. Maybe it is the outer beauty of the rainbow, its purity, and perhaps what it represents. How often have we seen a child running after a butterfly, with the hope of capturing this wonderful, weightless, and beautiful creature? These little creatures personify freedom and joy, exactly what one can experience in the innocence of a young child. It is as if a child is after his or her own spirit. Every time I see this fascination with the butterfly, it brings delight and true happiness to my heart. I often say to myself: This scene has been observed many, many times in the past by many different people. It is the very same plot, repeated, and played by different players. I, for instance, have acted this role as a child.

It is interesting how similar we are as people, yet we are all INDIVIDUALS. I believe through life, and life challenges, one should preserve her or his individuality. After all, it stands to reason to believe in the fact that each one of us was born with a unique and distinct identity. Imagine how many people live on the planet Earth, and no two have exactly the same fingerprints.

I would like to invite the reader to ponder upon these issues herself or himself.

Truth lies within us, and we as spiritual beings, are the embodiment of truth. All we need to do, is to turn inward, then, we will find the true meaning of life.

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

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“I WAS SHY”

When I was a kid,

I was shy.

I was shy,

Yet I was Strong.

When I was a kid,

I was shy.

I was shy,

But I didn’t go along.

I went along,

ONLY

When it felt RIGHT!

When you are connected,

It doesn’t feel right,

When you go along,

When it doesn’t feel RIGHT!

When you are connected to your TRUE self,

You must stay TRUE to yourself.

Please Don’t go along,

When it feels WRONG!

Bahereh Khodadoost

Copyright Oct. 28, 1998 PA

Dedicated with all my heart to my daughter Sienna Mae.

The Ultimate Truth:

When I was a kid,

I was YOUNG!

I swear to God,

I don’t Lie!

Bahereh

Oct. 29, 1998 PA

And if ‘U’ say:

It does not rhyme,

THAT I know!

Another Childhood Memory of Bahereh

May 8^th, 2003

“I Was Shy”

A childhood reflection: A year ago or so, I learned that SHYNESS has a genetic component and it made lots of sense to me, Bahereh, a person who was painfully shy as a child all the way through my teenage years. I must admit that even today at the age of 56, I still carry part of this shyness in me; but I’ve learned to handle it much better.

Apparently this genetic component of shyness is only 50% of the problem, the other 50% is attributed to one’s social environment and her/his upbringing. I was very much loved by my family and others alike, and I was blessed with the parents who apparently understood my shyness, and they did as much as they could to get me involved in many social activities, and they helped me to feel more comfortable in public.

As a child, I remember every other summer, my dear mother taking us children to her parents’ home in Kerman, located in the Southern part of Iran/ Persia. We lived in Tehran, the capital of Iran. We would go there until the end of summer, then my father, then a Bank officer would take a few days off, he would come to my maternal grandparents’ home for a visit, and then we would all go back home, to Tehran.

I recall this incident so vividly from when I was only a toddler. My dad came to Kerman to the home of my grandparents after two months of being away from his family. In those days there was no emailing, he would send a telegram to my granddad’s office and he would bring it home to share it with every one, then possibly there was a phone call with a bad connection from my dad telling us that he was coming. We were all excited including me. After nearly 50 years, I still remember so vividly when my dad knocked at my grandparents’ door, the door was opened and he entered the foyer of their house, and I ran away! I was too shy to be seen by him, and he loved me so much. I could hear his loving voice asking for me, because he knew that I was around, I think he saw me running away. Then I was discovered! And kindly was lead to the living room where my dad was by then. I shyly entered the room, I felt the heat of shyness in my face, and he so kindly and gently picked me up, kissed my face, and touched my golden brown hair that he loved so much. Oh, how do I miss his gentle hand touching my hair, and calling me Boori Joon, meaning my dear Goldie!

I remember my dear maternal grandmother so lovingly saying that the day won’t start until Bahereh gets up and enters the room with her big smile! I had and still have a big mouth!JJJ

I was almost 16 years old, when finally I got so tired of my shyness and of my face turning red when entering a room with an audience, that one day, I made myself a promise/ a conscious decision, that I would do everything in my power to bring this problem under control. I told myself, first prepare yourself before entering any room, and remind yourself that whoever is in that room is simply another human being like you. I practiced that enough, until I could keep the REDNESS in my face under control, that was quite an accomplishment for me, a major milestone if you wish. Now I had faked it enough, that at least I did not have to deal with the redness any more, and little by little I felt more and more comfortable to be out in public. Once again I must admit, even today at the age of 56, I still carry part of that shyness in me, but I have it much more under control. I have learned that once you have it/ the shyness, it never completely goes away. It is simply a matter of having it under control.

Bahereh

“OUR BODY”

The fact is that we were all created by the same entity, called “GOD” or “THE GREAT SPIRIT”, etc.... Nobody can deny the fact, that every one of us was born NAKED. Also, no matter what kind of an attire one may put on, s/he is naked underneath his or her clothes. I believe that once these facts are realized, nudity may become less of an issue.

When it comes to human body, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. If a naked body is presented in a natural way, if it is presented tastefully and artistically, it is quite beautiful. The problem we are facing in today’s world, is the belittlement and abuse of a naked body. It all results from the lack of respect in general in the society at large.

It is one’s sense of dignity, decency, purity, and innocence that gives beauty to one’s body as well as to anything else. I personally see one’s body, beautiful, if s/he is a beautiful person inside, otherwise, the opposite can be true.

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

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“PRAYER”

What is a prayer? My definition for the word “PRAYER” is a positive experience by an individual. My analogy for the word “PRAYER” is: A prayer is whatever kind of music, art, chant, singing, dance, thought, experiencing nature, etc..., that uplifts one’s spirit, and soothes one’s soul. When I observe my child, any other child, and for that matter a grown up immersed in nature, music, art, etc..., I become more certain of my inner thoughts on this subject of PRAYER. I have observed my daughter Sienna Mae many, many times being pre-occupied in nature, where she had become the embodiment of PRAYER; when she had manifested the PRAYER and had become ONE with IT!

"Prayer"

When my daughter started kindergarten in the fall of 1995, she was introduced to America’s Pledge of Allegiance. She came home that day, EXCITED! She told me: “MOM! Today I learned a new prayer in school” I said: “Oh! really! What kind of a prayer!” She put her hand on her heart, and said the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S.A. I said: "How do you know that is a prayer?” She said: “Because we had to put our hands on our hearts, and when we said the pledge, it felt like a prayer”. I said to myself: “WHAT A GREAT ANALOGY!” I thought to myself that regardless of the Pledge of Allegiance being a prayer or not, yet I could see in her eyes that when she had felt that strongly about it, then she (SIENNA) had become the PRAYER. I honestly do not think that a prayer is separated from the person who feels the prayer, it is all one.

The following day when she went to school, apparently she had asked her teacher if in fact “The Pledge of Allegiance“ is a prayer? The teacher’s response to my daughter’s disappointment was, NO. IT IS NOT A PRAYER. That day she came home heartbroken. She said: “Mom! My teacher said that the Pledge of Allegiance; is not a prayer. But Mom, what do YOU think?” I said to her: “Honey, if it feels like a prayer to you, then it is a prayer for you.” Then I said to myself: “Who am I to decide for anybody if something is a prayer for them or not?! After all, it is one’s private and individual experience that determines the nature of things, and has nothing to do with the outside world."

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

Metaphorically, one’s life/after life journey(s) can be described as FLIGHT.

What is important is the essence of what one discovers in “FLIGHT”. The ultimate meaning of having wings is to enable one to FLY. So, is the bird the reason for the FLIGHT, or is it the FLIGHT that gives meaning to the bird’s sole existence? I choose the FLIGHT as the ultimate meaning in life. I concern myself about the spirit embedded in life itself, and not the different names. Different religions, different schools of thought, are like different birds with one common goal: FLIGHT. They are here to teach us that we can let our spirit soar as high as our capacity will allow us. The real power is in the FLIGHT, and not in the bird. Let’s not concern ourselves with the issues of different names, let’s free ourselves to the point of not being concerned about the different birds, rather concentrating on the FLIGHT. That, to me, is the ultimate freedom from all the boundaries: Learning to enjoy life fully, even if there exists differences, benefiting from them.

Everything in life reincarnates in its spiritual sense. It is like a flower that blooms this year, it has bloomed maybe in the previous year, and it may be blooming next year. Now, it is for each individual to decide if this flower is the same flower reincarnated, or is it the ever flowing nature of life repeating again and again, or maybe it is like a flowing RIVER. I rather to be concerned with the beauty, and especially with aroma of the flower, it is the same aroma exemplified over and over. LOVE is a good example of such analogy, because love exists, has always existed, and it will exist forever (according to some free and spiritual thinkers, who call themselves mystics, LOVE is the reason for the universe to be created). The form of its expression may vary, although it keeps its essence. When I see the wonderful ideal qualities in many different people, as well as in other aspects of life, I realize that it is the same reality, manifesting itself over and over. I also understand that even if the individual, or any living being in nature, possesses similar qualities, it travels like energy. The possession is temporary, which means that it does not belong to anybody or anything. Even if the certain individual, a being, or even an object acquires that quality, it doesn’t belong only to them, it consumes a much larger area, an area that does not have a beginning and does not have an ending. Holy Spirit encompasses all, and though it may exist, its essence is, in different degrees, in every one of us, and in everything else.

I think even if this is not the only way to understand, for the lack of better word, the concept of REINCARNATION, it might be one way to define it. I am sure that there are much more thorough explanations for “REINCARNATION”.

Now, is this repetition, reincarnation, or renewal, I don’t know for sure, but what I do know is that the AROMA of the flower gives meaning to IT, it is the FLIGHT of the bird that makes sense of the BIRD, and these are my main concerns in LIFE.

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

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“FALL OF UNITY” Unity, Unity, Everywhere, In a Pine Needle, In a Pine Needle. Living together, Falling together, No Beginning, No Ending! Bahereh Khodadoost Copyright Oct. 28, 1998 PA

“CELEBRATION OF IDEAS”

What needs to be celebrated are the universalities of positive ideas, and ideals that hold the honest truths as opposed to the celebration of the individuals and their names. That is what I see as a flaw in the world, when people put a person on the pedestal (so to speak), as opposed to the “IDEALS”.

Bahereh

April 1996

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“GOD/LOVE”

Have you ever thought that if the word “GOD”, “THE GREAT SPIRIT”, “ALLAH”, “KHODA”, “LE DIEU”, “EL DIOS”, etc..., all ultimately mean LOVE? Why is it that in some languages, reference to GOD is HE?! Why are the majority or almost all the messengers of God, taught in various schools of theology, are MALE PROPHETS?! If the word “BUDDHA” means the enlightened one, how in the world, can all the Buddhas known up to this time consist of a few MEN?!

If one ponders upon the words “PROPHET & MESSENGER”, they may realize that they imply either sex, and subsequently the messengers of “LOVE”, “PEACE”, “JUSTICE”, and “FAIRNESS”, could have been, can be, and will be from both sexes. It stands to reason, and I have no doubt in my mind, and in my heart, that all through the life of the planet Earth, there existed many people as messengers of “LOVE”, from both sexes. Only, the existence of some, especially the female ones were not being recognized by the masses of people.

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

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“PEOPLE’S RIGHTS/SOCIAL LAWS”    #1

I believe that we as people (women and men) were BORN with our RIGHTS. Unfortunately, sometimes our rights were taken away or revoked from us, by a few people in the name of leaders (religious leaders, legislators, etc...); such as the case of the rights of women or dark-skin people. That is why we had to come up with the word “EMANCIPATION”, or for instance “GIVEN THE RIGHT” to vote.

When I hear that in some parts of the world, according to some doctrines, a woman is expected to cover herself, it upsets and offends me. The analogy is, if she is not covered, and for instance her hair shows, it can bring sexual desire and lust to the opposite sex! AND if that happens, SHE is the guilty one, and should take the blame! It is HER SIN! At least this is my understanding of this law imposed on some women by a few men. I just can not bring myself to accept this. Why should I, as a woman, be held responsible for a man’s weakness?! How can I, as a woman, be responsible if he can not control himself?! How can I, as a woman, be held responsible for HIS thoughts, and HIS actions? Maybe it all goes back to the “STORY OF CREATION”. I strongly believe that this type of law, belittles a man as much as, or even more than it belittles a woman.

I would like to bring your attention to this point: Although I do not believe that a woman should feel obligated to this law of covering herself, but if she and only SHE chooses to do so, it is quite all right. I understand that freedom from physical boundaries is only a symbolic act of intellectual, and spiritual freedom. Just because a woman unveils herself, she does not become open-minded and independent, automatically. By the same token, just because a woman chooses, or under certain circumstances, is obligated (forced) to be veiled, does not necessarily make her narrow-minded, and subservient. We, as people, need to learn to become less judgmental.

I am a great believer of love, justice, fairness, and equal opportunity, for all people. I believe that the true PEACE lies in these basic principles.

Bahereh

April 1996 PA

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“PEOPLE’S RIGHTS/SOCIAL LAWS” #2

When I study various scriptures from different parts of the world, it reassures me of the unity of the Spirit and the divinity of its spiritual laws. It is beautiful and clear, it is simple and yet complex, it has many dimensions and it is as multi-faceted as Mystic Persian Poetry. I consider myself a mystic, and I get the utmost enjoyment in not finding One answer for every question. I understand that every question has many answers, and many a time it has many correct answers, all valid. The answers to all questions lie within us (every individual). It is up to us to do our own soul searching and find our own answers. A mystic finds beauty in the mystery of the universe. S/he does not need to have a concrete answer for every question. S/he understands that the spiritual matters are immeasurable therefore they do not need to be measured by man-made (person-made) measured answers....

(To be continued)

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath

Oct. 1996

Pen Argyl, Pa.

We live in a world today that for the most part, still is male oriented. This claim is quite apparent even in the vocabulary of most existing languages. Once I started researching and criticizing it in the English language, I became aware that even in my native language (PERSIAN) which does not have HE or SHE, one still can sense the use of expressions and vocabularies that express the male dominated, somewhat sexist environment.

Maybe because most languages were invented by men who were outside their homes, and the use of language became the language of commerce among people who were mainly men.

Over a period of time, every time I became aware of such vocabularies and expressions (in the few languages that I know and am familiar with), I have written them down. Here is a listing of such words and expressions in English language:

-God-----HE
- MANifestations of God
- MANkind
- SANTA CLAUS (male figure)
- SnowMAN
- CountryMAN
- FreshMAN
- BACHELOR’S Degree
- MASTER’S Degree
- CraftsMAN
- HIStory?
- ChairMAN
- MANpower
- MANifesto
- WorkMANship
- MANmade
- MANager
- Gingerbread MAN
- MailMAN
- PoliceMAN
- FireMAN
- MANdate
- MANually?
- MENtality?
- MENtally?
- MASTERpiece
- MASTERmind
- MANhaunt
- MANslaughter
- MENtor?
- BoogieMAN
- Satan (Prince of Darkness,
Father of All Sins)
- Devil
- PostMASTER
- PerSON?
- PenMANship

* Even a majority of children’s TV shows, for the most part, the main character is a male authority figure or a male role model like BIG BIRD who is male, and the same is true with BARNEY. Many children’s movies fall under the same category, such as Bambi, Simba (Lion King), Black Beauty, Black Stallion, Free Willy, Babe, etc.... What is interesting is the fact that some of the characters for children shows and movies, even when there are male and female versions created, the male version is created first, and only then the female character is invented! Many times the role of the male character is more powerful. The best example for this situation is the invention of Mickey Mouse, and then Minnie Mouse. Maybe it all goes back to the Story of Creation!!!!!

We talk about self-esteem, equal opportunity, equality.... What an irony, when we send our little girls to school to teach them HIStory of MANkind. Unfortunately, even the HIStory of Art, Literature, Science, and Religion fit the same scenario. Then we wonder why an average girl does not think of herself as a powerful role model! We as women, when we become academically educated, become educated about the world of mainly MEN. I can not help but think that if we as women can not find ourselves in these books, if we can not have good strong role models as we are growing up, how can we develop a good foundation for our characters? How can we surpass all the boundaries? Granted a few have done it, and will do it, but here, I am talking about the masses of women. Maybe it stands to reason for a naive woman to look up to a man as an authority figure in her life. Maybe that’s why many of us women have forgotten to have dreams of our own, and some still follow the 1950’s example of “HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE”. The fact is, even when we as women think that finally we have made it, we have not really made it! Why? Because if the best you can do at a big National or International sporting event is to be a Cheer Leader, you are still in the background and not in the big arena. Even when you as a woman have managed, or WOMANAGED, to become a religious leader, what you are doing is mainly promoting the male version of spirituality and especially their social laws. Many books need to be revised, and we as people need to look at what has been written in the past, re-think them, and re-write them if necessary.

Let us expand our horizons and have our own dreams. Let us free ourselves from all the boundaries imposed on us by different societies. Let us believe in ourselves, and stretch our imaginations as far as we can, and be limited only by our own imaginations and nothing else.

Unfortunately, we can not forget that most people, except for a few individuals who are free thinkers and analyzers, form their thoughts around the information dictated to them (sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly). It is up to us as educators and caretakers of the future generations to become more and more conscientious and try to bring more awareness to ourselves; and, therefore, to the people around us. As a result, we may become more sensitive to what and how we pass on the information to the next generation. My hope is that once we come across a law, norm, custom, tradition, etc... if we realize and recognize that it is not fair to all people, we should try to break the chain, and change it to balance it out.

What kind of a message do we send to our kids when we name them only with their father’s last name, and their mother’s last name is not even in the picture, or at the most in the Western world, it may become the child’s middle name, and rarely used?

What kind of a message do we send our little girls when many of us women change our last name to our husband’s last name (in some countries). What kind of a message do we send them when we address an envelope, for example, to:

Mr. & Mrs. (the man’s first name and last name).

As if the woman’s sole existence and her identity is recognized by her husband’s name, and she is existing in the shadow of her husband.

Let them know about the shame of slavery, the fact that people with dark skin, or women of any race did not have the right to vote for many years in this country. Also, that a woman could not have a credit card with her own name on it. These were all wrong and unfair laws imposed on people by a few men.

Let us become more responsible for our own actions. At least, let the children know that they do not have to become followers of the past. Let them know that they have options, they can make their own decisions. Let them know that each and every one of them is in charge of her/his life. Help them to think for themselves, and empower them and enable them to make good choices in life. Let’s help them to see for themselves as opposed to making them see. Let’s not dictate to them the social laws from the years past, and let them decide and choose with open mind, open heart, and open soul. Let’s empower them with the spirit of love, compassion, justice, fairness, and be free from all prejudices. Let them know that many fairy tales should be re-written. That a woman, at any level in society is not helpless, and does not need a man to come along and rescue her from all her miseries!

Let us, as children and grown ups alike, open up to each other and recognize the fact that in this life nobody is a student at all times and by the same token, nobody is a teacher at all times. Only if we realize that we are all teachers and students of life at all times, then we can benefit from each other simultaneously.

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath

March 1996,PA.

P.S. My resolution is to do my best to eliminate all sexist and racist vocabularies and expressions, unfair laws, rules, and stereotypes from the world at large.

The following is excerpted from a 1950’s high school home economics workbook

“HOW TO BE A GOOD WIFE”

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of workweary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small). Comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are his little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimize all noises. At the time of his arrival eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.

Some don’ts. Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

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“FOOD FOR THOUGHT/BLOOD”

Have you ever thought of this fact that all over the world, BLOOD has only one color! RED.

Have you ever thought that regardless of all the existing biases, bigotry, and prejudices, in case of giving or taking blood, giving or taking organs, we all become UNIFIED. All we care and share is helping and saving lives!

Let’s keep up with this positive attitude. Shed some negative layers in hope of becoming more free-spirited as individuals. It certainly bears fruit and the world may become a better place to live in. After all, most everybody is in search of peace and harmony; and this search is definitely attainable if we all work towards it.

Bahereh
May 1997 PA.

The UGLY FACE of Discrimination !!!!
“THE UGLY FACE OF DISCRIMINATION”

Unfortunately in this world, many forms and degrees of discrimination exist. It is usually based on ignorance, assumptions, and arrogance.

Discrimination is wrong. There is no justification for it.

As a Human Right Activist, I am determined to encourage understanding and justice in the world as long as I live.

As a woman I find it bad enough when men, organizations, governments, etc... discriminate against women, but I find it more disturbing and unbearable when women discriminate against women. As a woman/foreigner in this country (United States of America), I have experienced being targeted to many forms of attempted discrimination. I call it attempted discriminations, because all my life, I have always known my rights as a human being, I always have stood up for them, and I will continue to do so.

Sincerely,

Bahereh Khodadoost
May 12,1997 PA

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Guess what I have been doing in the past few years of my life?! I have been busy Growing Roses in Desert!

Continue reading:

From the Desk of the artist, Bahereh, the Goddess of Pen Argyl!J

“ Growing Roses in a Desert!”

Dedicated to the Promotion of CREATIVITY & The ARTS!

“Your rhythm, like your voice, makes a difference in the RHYTHM of the world. The formation of the world community depends on INDIVIDUAL Impressions, the uniqueness of every individual’s fingerprint!”

“There is a rhythm in ‘Building a LIFE’”

CIRCLE, CIRCLE, CIRCLE!

“It is the CIRCLE that Unites Us All!”

Bahereh

My name is Bahereh Khodadoost. I was born and raised in Iran. I was raised in a loving, well educated, and open-minded family. My mother was an educated mystic, and very much involved in music, poetry, and literature. My father was a self-made man, and well educated. They both were true humanists who were one of the most honest, trustworthy, loving, compassionate, and well-respected individuals.

My way of thinking, and my style of writing is the direct result of my upbringing. The language of poetry is a very comfortable language for me, and it spreads itself in all aspects of my life. Perhaps this is a reason for some of my articles to be hard to understand for some readers. What I try to convey is usually the essence of an issue, which requires more sensitivity and true insight from the reader, in order for the point to get across.

The last time I left my country, it was in April 1979. I have lived in the United States of America for over 21 years, and I have lived in different parts of this country. Anywhere I have lived, I have done my best to be a service to the community I happen to be living in. I have lived in Pen Argyl, Pa. for over 8 years, and I feel that I am trying to Grow Roses in a barren land/ Desert (Please note: I used the above statement only as an expression, it does not imply that I was raised in the desert. I was raised in Tehran, capital city of Iran, a modern city with a climate similar to our weather in Eastern Pennsylvania, somewhat dryer, with four seasons, with even SNOW in winter). This fact that it seems difficult to make positive changes in this community is hard to believe, but nevertheless it does not make me to give up, nor to give in, but to say the least, it does surprise me. This lack of receptivity might be due to the fact that an individual like myself can be looked upon as an outsider if not an intruder! I have managed to make quite a few friends. And I am grateful for that, yet the community as a whole seems very closed, and very inhospitable, and the more I try to reach these people, the harder I have to try! It seems like that the more I try, the less I succeed. It seems the more I try, the more resistance! Yet, I am quite confident that I can make a positive and significant difference in this community, and I am determined to pursue it.

I am sure whenever the time of my leaving this area comes, I perhaps will leave it with many fond memories. I feel that I am on my journey searching for the LIGHT, and I feel that each time I try to spread my wings to fly, there is an attempt to clip and chop it away. But, I have not given up in my journey in bringing some peace & harmony to the world, and I will not!

I keep on doing my best to make as many changes and differences in the world to the best of my ability as humanly possible. The changes takes place, at times goes unnoticed, but it is still there. It is in the hearts and the minds of the people, especially the children whose lives have been touched by my way of thinking, and by my subtle, yet complex approach to teaching. This notion is enough to keep me going and continue in my path. ‘The seeds are planted! And with time, they will bear fruit!

I have always believed that if we create a pleasing, and appropriate environment, any body can appreciate it, and can enjoy life more fully. And ultimately opening up to each other, in order to share back and forth, with each other, and make IT into a tangible, and a visual melody, called: HUMANITY! This can make the World a BETTER place.

I am a strong believer of Unity in its true sense. Unity that embodies the Essence of Humanity/ The Essence of All Things. I believe in the unity, beauty, purity, and the universality of the Rainbow & the Butterfly, and what they represent. I believe that we are all connected to Nature; we share its forms, shapes, colors, textures, and its essence/ its spirits, FLIGHT!

Bahereh 1996- April 2000! Pen Argyl, PA

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“REFLECTION ON MY LIFE /
MY THOUGHTS ON THE EASTERN AND THE WESTERN ATTITUDES”

I was born in Iran(Persia), in a loving, well-educated family. My mother was an educated mystic, so was my grand-mother. They both had a great love and talent for music and literature. My father was a self-made educated man who was raised by his mother who became a widow at a young age. My grandmother had a strong personality, and managed to raise 3 children on her own. My father held high positions in the society, and was well respected by family, friends, and strangers alike.

Together, my parents taught their six children the values in life, and instilled in us high standards (morals, and social as well). Although their physical bodies are not with me any more, I remember them both as one of the most honest, loving, caring, and fair-minded people. They taught us about the unity and similarity of people, not only through their words, but also through their deeds. Their belief in the equality of men and women was manifested in their actions. They gave their three daughters the same opportunities in education and in life as they gave their sons.

Because of my mother’s loving personality, and my father’s high position in society, and above that because of their religious belief in universal peace and the unity of peoplekind, we as a family had many opportunities to meet and get acquainted with people from other cultures, in our childhood all the way to adulthood. As a young child, we learned and observed the commonality existing in different people. We learned that despite the fact that there are so many languages in the world, in reality there exist only two major languages, which can be classified as:

- The language of Love and Peace
- The language of Hate and War

It simply is up to each individual to use his/her common sense, and choose one of the above languages. In my view, a spiritual and intellectual individual chooses the language of Love over the language of Hate. S/he realizes that this is the language that the world of God was built around. According to Persian Mystics and their poetry, Love is the only reason for the creation of the universe and everything in it. The words of LOVE can be felt, and not just heard. Have you ever listened to the words of a person uttering love words even in a language foreign to your ears? If you have not done it yet, then perhaps you should. If one exposes herself/himself to the love songs of the world, s/he understands the point I am trying to make. Even if one does not understand the words outwardly, s/he can feel them.

The same analogy is just as true with opposite exercise. The language of WAR not only can be heard, but also felt. The best example I can give the reader is one that I have experienced personally. As a child, I assumed along with some other people, that German language was too harsh to one’s ears. Maybe because my main exposure to this language was through watching and listening to films of Hitler’s speeches. In my early twenties, I was an English major in a college, in Iran. We as students, were asked to choose another language to study as well. I did not even consider German language! I studied French instead, which I loved, only with the exception of occasional masculine superiority in the language. Years later, I became a Comparative Literature major, at the University of Georgia. In one of the classes, my professor asked every student to bring a poem from his/her native language, and read it to the class. I took a Poem from a Persian Mystic poet, and read it in Persian and English. A girl from Germany, read a poem in German so beautifully and with so much expression, that filled me with emotions instantly. It touched my whole being, although I did not know hardly any German. While being filled with emotions, I realized that was the very first time for me to hear and feel the language of LOVE in the German language. It was a positive, and eye opening experience for me. It changed my whole concept on not only the German language, but on other languages as well.

Over the years I managed to overcome many of my own and other people’s misconceptions. Every time I did that, I rose to a higher level in my intellectual as well as my spiritual development. I have learned, and I continue learning to not stereotype anything, especially any group of people.

I remember when I was younger, and still lived in Iran, occasionally I smelled the air of arrogance among some of my fellow people, especially the younger generation. Many of us who were supposedly academically and /or socially educated Iranians (men and women) had (and some may still have) the misconception that we were or are better than some other groups. Some had the feeling and the idea, that we as Iranian women have achieved our fair, and equal status in society, and other women for instance in Arab countries, Far East, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Africa, etc... have not! The more I traveled and the more I became acquainted with people from these and other countries, I realized that there are many women who are successful, independent, and well aware of their rights as a member of any given society. To be fair to the men from these and other societies, I have learned that although there are some men who are not secure, who are not educated enough to treat a woman as an equal partner (in my view, even when this occurs, the woman allows that to happen); but there are many men (In the West as well as in the East) who are mature and secure enough to do so.

In the Fall of 1984, I was working at a beauty shop inside a mall in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There I became acquainted with a family from the country of Saudi Arabia. The man was my regular customer at the shop. One day, while giving him a hair-cut, he asked me if I would be willing to go to his house and give his wife a hair-cut. He explained to me, that because of their culture and custom she can not show her hair in the public. After a few minutes of hesitancy, I agreed to do so. The next day, he brought his wife and their 3 year old son to the shop. He introduced us to each other. I looked at her and I was impressed by her mannerism and her sophisticated look. She was wearing a long, elegant red dress. She had a creamy colored scarf on, which was covering her hair. Although it was not the way that I ever had or ever wished to cover my physical appearance, but I have to say that her scarf was framing her beautiful face. This woman’s appearance and conduct changed my somewhat stereotyped attitude towards Arab women. When I finally went to their home, I sensed no male chauvinistic attitude in the air, but rather the most loving and respectful attitude between them. I gave her a decent hair-cut, and they were both grateful for it. That was the last time I saw them, but their lasting impression is still with me today.

Over the years, I have made friends with many intellectual, intelligent, dignified and decent women from many countries; such as India, Africa, Iran, China, Japan, south America, Europe, U.S.A., etc....I also had the privilege of meeting men from these and other countries, who had similar characteristics. Unfortunately, the opposite has been experienced as well.

Although I have lived in America for over 16 years, and I am grateful for the positive experiences I have had here; my response to frequent remarks from many Americans, has always stayed the same:

- “Aren’t you fortunate that you live in America?”

- “For your information, I was fortunate even before I came to America. I was blessed for having the type of parents that I had. I am grateful for the type of personality that God had granted to me. I am appreciative for .... The list can go on and on.”

Although, I have managed to overcome many of my misconceptions over the years, I am aware of the fact that there is always more room for growth. Perhaps the reader of this article, if s/he has not started his/her journey yet, can start and overcome his or her own misconceptions. This journey is never-ending, yet extremely rewarding.

My personal experience with some westerners, especially Americans, has been that they think they have the authority to criticize, to stereotype, and to belittle other groups of people; as if they have already solved all the problems in their own society! How can we as Westerners of the Latin based languages criticize everybody else, when we have not yet brought fairness, justice, and equality in our daily language?! (I include myself, because I have a multi-cultural attitude, and I consider myself a world citizen). Isn’t it true that in these languages even the perception of our God, which should simply manifest and represent “LOVE”, is male?! Isn’t it true that in French and Spanish languages, the word “God” has a masculine article attached to it: “Le Dieu”, “El Dios”.

Isn’t it naive, arrogant, and a sign of ignorance to think that the existing problems in the world belong only to one part of the world, and not to all parts?! I wish people could empower themselves to see beyond the surface. My heart goes to people who are misinformed, or partially informed on a matter, and they do not know the way to analyze a situation, and arrive at a just opinion. They are not given the tools to process the information given to them in order to find a fair answer. People need to look at the information given to them with their higher consciousness. If one is conceded, s/he needs to liberate himself/herself from it, before s/he can have a clear view of the true facts.

Let us admit that we are all striving to bring more justice to this world. Isn’t it true that as much as we like to think that we have made it in the West, the history of America shows that there has never been a woman president. Neither do I recall hearing of a black person (man or woman) as the president of the United states of America. Interestingly enough, many countries in the East, such as India, Israel, and Pakistan, ... had and have women in charge of their countries.

Did you know that over 150 years ago, there was a woman poet in Iran, known as Tahirih meaning ‘the Pure One’. She was born in Iran (Persia), in 1817. She was named Fatimih Umm-Salamih. She was such an outstanding child that the family always called her ‘Zarrin-Taj’, which means ‘Crown of Gold’. She was married at a young age, but her strong belief in the equality of men and women gave her the will to rise and help women to find their fair role in the society. Later on, she was given the title ‘Qurratu’l-’Ayn’-’Solace of my eyes’ by a Seer who was extremely impressed by Tahirih’s intelligent letter. Shortly after receiving the title, at the age of 26, the mother of two sons and one daughter, journeyed to Karbila in 1843 to meet the Seer. When she returned home, she divorced her husband, because she realized that she had nothing in common with him. Some time later, she attended a Conference in the Northern part of Iran. One day, she came into the garden where all the men were; without her veil, and beautifully dressed! Quietly, silently, and with the greatest calm and dignity, Tahirih stepped forward and seated. Most everyone was surprised, afraid, angry, and confused, because it was not common scene in those days. She was not affected by any of it, rather she began to talk to them in her eloquent style.

Later, the King of Iran at the time, sent her a message that if she changed her way of thinking, he would marry her. But, Tahirih wrote her reply in verse on the back of his letter, and returned it to him. In English, the message went something like this:

Kingdom, wealth and ruling be for thee,
Wandering, becoming a poor dervish and calamity be for me.
If that station is good, let it be for thee,
And if this station is bad, I long for it, let it be for me!

She was executed in August, 1852. She was considered by many to be a martyr. She was thirty-six years old when she suffered martyrdom in Tehran. Her career was as dazzling as it was short, as tragic as it was eventful. The life of Tahirih quickly became famous, even as far as the capital cities of Europe. Both men and women of many nations, professions and cultures praised her, and admired her deeds and sacrifice.

The world remembers Tahirih as the first woman suffrage martyr. Baha’is remember her in the same way as other religions revere Sarah, Asiyih, Fatimih, and the Virgin Mary. The call she put forth, at the conferences in Iran marked the beginning of a new era.

At the hour of her death, she said to a guard: ‘You can kill me as soon as you like, but you can not stop the emancipation of women.’

Here are some other accounts taken from Iran’s history:

The late Shah’s father’s coronation took place on April 25, 1926. While in power, he decided that the citizens should finally abandon oriental dress- their wide trousers, turbans and bonnets; and women were asked to give up their black veil. Some people did not agree with this. During the late Shah’s regime, women and girls were perfectly free to wear, or not to wear, the CHADDOR ‘VEIL’. During his reign, women successfully administered public affairs. We have had women ministers, secretaries in the cabinet, women ambassadors, female judges and university professors; women have been elected as heads of municipal councils, deputies and senators. They have also played a vital role in the fight against illiteracy and in the Health corps.

Even in today’s Iran, as backward, and as awkward as the situation appears to be, we need to remind ourselves that Iran is a mosaic of many tribes and nationalities with different cultures and traditions. They are real people, many intelligent, decent, and well-rounded human beings who live beneath the gloomy surface of Iran (under the present government), whose negative images are reinforced through the media, especially in the eyes of a westerner. I, personally have no doubt in my heart, in my soul, and in my mind, that Iran will become prosperous again.

I have known, and occasionally dated men from different countries, different cultures and different religions. I have many stories to tell, but to make this chapter complete, I feel compelled to make mention of a Muslim boy-friend I had while attending college in Iran, in the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. In my opinion, he was one of the most fair-minded, loving, and open-spirited men I have ever known in my life. He treated me with the utmost love and respect as long as I remember, even after the romantic part of our relationship was over. Of course, this does not negate the fact that there are many other people living in this world with similar characteristics. One of the best examples of them is my own husband, a product of Western culture, who is not only fair-minded, free-spirited, loving and respectful of me, but a wonderful and sincere supporter of my life interests and pursuits, artistically and otherwise.

Let us as members of the World Society, as women as well as men, liberate ourselves from all form of prejudices. If one opens his/her inner eyes, s/he will become less judgmental of others. If we use our insight, we can see with our mystical eye, we can cast out the outer layers of misconceptions, and see the reality of people that lays underneath.

If this article has managed to bring some changes in the attitude of its reader, I have served my purpose in writing it.

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath
Nov. 1996,PA

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ON THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE/AND ITS MALE ORIENTED, SEXIST AND RACIST WORDS AN“FOOD FOR THOUGHTD EXPRESSIONS”

Although I have been away from my homeland, Iran(Persia) since Spring of 1979, I have tried to preserve the beauty of the positive and universal side of its culture. While enriching my life in such a manner, I have tried to stay open-minded, open-hearted, and open-spirited to what other cultures have to offer. Therefore, I have added and I continue to add more beauty to my very personal culture. I have learned to celebrate the unity of human spirit manifested in so many forms of expression, whether in the universal form of Winter Solstice/ “The Birth of Light”, The rebirth of the sun; Hanukkah “Celebration of Light;”, or Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in its symbolic form as the Guiding Light given to people. I have never failed to celebrate Norouz (Iranian New Year, which simply means, New Day). It is an ancient and beautiful Iranian tradition which Persians have celebrated fully with all its symbolic and humanistic meaning. I celebrate it with the family and friends year after year as a celebration of Spring in its physical form as well as in its spiritual form.

I believe in life, one should learn to experience life fully. I believe in life, one should not follow anything or anybody blindly. I believe that every individual has the right to evaluate the information given to her/him with an open heart, open mind, and a fair attitude, before accepting it or rejecting it. I believe one should empower herself/himself with the spirit of justice, love, kindness, and fairness. If we believe in that, therefore our thoughts, our words and our actions should be in accordance with it. A few months ago I wrote an article “Food For Thought/Women’s Rights” in relation with the English Language and its male orientation. In it I referred to the fact that although my mother tongue Persian Language does not have HE or SHE, one still can sense the use of expressions and vocabularies that express the male dominated, somewhat sexist and at times racist environment. The Persian third singular person is /”oo” (as in too) meaning either “HE” or “SHE”. I said that maybe the presence of male orientation in majority of the languages in the world is the result of them being invented by men who were outside their homes, and the use of language became the language of commerce among people who were mainly men. In this article I would draw the attention of the reader to such words and expressions in the Persian Language. My hope is helping to raise the consciousness of the reader as it was my intent in the English companion article, and by doing so bring some positive changes in the use of the languages and in their impact on our thought process. Here is a listing of such words and expressions in the Persian Language:

- Haji Firouz/ - Norouz, the Iranian New Year is marked by the appearance of a comical figure who might be described as a cross between Santa Claus and a wandering minstrel. Haji Firuz begins to walk the Iranian streets several days before Norouz. His face is painted black and he wears a traditional folk costume that includes a conical hat. Haji Firuz sings popular folk songs and dances, and he is accompanied by a band of pipers, drummers and tambourine players wherever he goes. While he is cheerful, like Santa Claus, Haji Firuz differs from the Western folk figure by collecting coins for his music, rather than distributing gifts. On the 13th day of Norouz, Haji Firuz disappears from the street, not to be seen again until the following new year celebrations. One of the songs the Haji Firuz sometimes sings is this one:

Wind and rain have gone,
Lord Norouz has come.
Friends convey this message:
The New Year has come again
The spring be your good luck
The tulip fields be your joy.

Eversince I was a child I had questioned the notion of the character with his face being painted black, and until this day nobody had been able to give me a good and reasonable answer for it. And I had wondered and still wonder that perhaps the lack of finding a justifiable answer is simply because THERE IS NO GOOD Answer for it. I had and have no problem with the rest of the act which I find it quite wonderful and amusing. Now, my dear friends please take some time and ponder upon this old tradition. Perhaps it simply shows our foreparents prejudices against dark skin people. Maybe it shows our lack of respect for another group of people whose skin happens to be more tan than the other group of people. If is an indication of belittling one human race over another human race, maybe it is time to eliminate this tradition or at least to modify it and taking the painted face out of it. How are we as parents and educators wishing to teach our children and the next generation the value of self-respect if we fail to show it in our traditions and our conduct?

- Black Market/ ! I do not know if it necessarily has any racist connotation to it or not?! But if so, then please let us change it and modify it to a more neutral form.

- May My Face BE BLACK/ ! This expression is widely used when one is embarrassed over a situation. I have heard this Persian Expression since I was a little girl, and I have wondered about its possible racist base eversince.

- You Made My Face WHITE/ ! This expression is usually used when one had done a good job, and made the other one proud. I have wondered about this expression all along also. Is this expression by any chance a contrast with the above expression?! Perhaps it is, and maybe it shows our preference of a lighter color over the darker one, not necessarily related to any race, but only in its symbolic and representational form of the two opposite forces; light and dark. In the contrast, it just may be showing the attitude in believing that the white race is superior over the other race?! Or maybe not?! I do not know the definite and the ultimate answer to either one of these expressions. But all I am asking from the reader is try to examine them. Do you as the Persian reader of this article ever wonder about some Persians’ pride of being from the Aryan Race being on the border line of prejudiced?!

* Isn’t it about time to take pride in being a member of human race and a decent citizen of the planet Earth.

- Nothing (No Matter What) A Black Cat Says It Is Going To Bring Rain/
! This Persian expression implies that the speaker (Black Cat) speaks with no authority. Now what does this expression mean?!!

- / this word which has the male and female implication, and applies to ALL PEOPLE derives from the word man in Persian Language. Why? I DO NOT KNOW! IS IT FAIR TO USE ONE GENDER OVER ANOTHER ONE? I DO NOT THINK SO!

- / this saying which has come from the word ADAM, literally means “BE A GOOD ADAM”, meaning “BE A GOOD HUMAN BEING”. Why it, like its English counterpart, had taken from the Male gender, I DO NOT KNOW?! It seems to me that both sayings need to be changed to a more neutral form. Or at least, if one is compelled to use the male version, s/he should use a fair judgment, and bring the female version into the language as well, and try to use them interchangeably, such as:

“ / BE A GOOD EVE” and in the English counterpart “BE A GOOD HUWOMAN BEING”.

Or it can be changed all together to “ / BE A GOOD PERSON”.

- Snowman/ - Why is it that in both languages we are so determine to make a male representation out of the snow! We should encourage the use and the making of SnowWOMAN/ . Since the word for Snowman in Persian is , which literally means SnowADAM, maybe we should start making SnowEVE as well. Another option might be making a more generic, and start making / SnowPERSON (I hope the SON in this word does not have a male orientation!).

- Even in the Persian Culture, although a woman does not change her last name on the onset of marriage, but especially if she happens not to be working outside the family, she is more likely to receive letters and invitations addressed to: “ / Mr. and Mrs. (The Man’s last name)”. Almost never and it is quite rare to see it the other way around, as “( ) / Mrs. and Mr. (The woman’s last name). Although it was not that uncommon for a working woman get an invitation to an event (work related) addressed to “Mrs. (her last name) and Mr. (his last name). I think this old fashion way of thinking needs to be changed in the expressions in both languages.

- Have you ever thought why a majority of people in the world, name their child after the father’s last name, and the mother’s last name is not even in the picture?!

- I often wonder about the male and female versions of the names including my own name / Bahereh. Here are a few examples of such names:

Male Names Female Names

-                   / Taher           is                              / Tahereh
-                  / Baher            is                              / Bahereh
-                 / Nader             is                             / Nadereh

Etc...

Does that mean that “ “ “EH” at the end called / Heh-e-Kasreh signifies (insinuates) the smaller versions? / Heh-e-kasreh in the Persian language, whenever is added to a word represents the smaller version of it. If so! How did this happen?! What made people think that one sex should posses the name with its larger meaning even if it happens to be in its physical sense and not necessarily in its inner meaning! The English equivalents are words such as : Bachelor & Bachelorette.

- As a child I had the privilege of being exposed to mysticism through Persian poetry. I have been given this opportunity not only in my everyday home environment, but in the school curriculum as well. We were encouraged to memorize many poems in school, and with my God given talent and ability in memorization, I had no problem in memorizing one poem after another. Until one day, while still in grade school, I came across a poem which neither I liked nor I had the inclination to memorize. I remember that day when I came home and showed my mother the poem in the text book and I told her that I am not going to learn this poem since “ its content does not agree with my soul”. She did not object to it, although she tried her best to explain to me that perhaps the poet of the poem was an old fashion man. Strangely enough this line from this poem is still stuck in the back of my mind:

- “ “ Which it can be translated that a good, obedient, and pious woman, can make a king out of a poor man. The English version is “Behind every successful man is a woman”.

* Needless to say, if I was in charge, or had any control over the school text books, I would eliminate this poem and materials like that, out of the school text book all together. Although I have no knowledge if the generation after me, were asked to read this poem or not? I hope not.

- Among extremely uneducated, fanatic people, I have heard an expression in reference to their own wife, addressing her as / the weaker one! I certainly have always found this kind of a derogatory language not only belittling to the recipient, but just as much or even more belittling to the person who is the user of such language. It should be just offensive to both.

- When I was in my twenties, I discovered that Under the Shah’s Regime in Iran, a woman needed her husband’s permission before she was given a permit to leave the country. Although I was not married, but nevertheless it made me furious. A few times when I tried to share my thoughts and my feelings with others on this unfair and male chauvinistic law, I did not get much support. Most people’s first reaction to mine, was, what is it with you?! After all, you are not even married; which meant that you do not need to have permission from anybody to leave the country. In other words, you decide for yourself. Others’ response was that their husbands were decent men who never objected to their wishes if they wished to travel abroad. My point was lost over and over, that what needs to be changed is the meaningless law, a law which is offensive to the status of womanhood, regardless of a man being a jerk or decent. I do not know if this law is changed or not?

- Has it ever occurred to you that why majority of the messengers of God whose names are mentioned in most of the world’s scriptures, were MEN?! Not only that, but for the most part, they have appointed a man or a series of men as their successors. How did it happen that so many wise and strong women’s names were left out in these books.

- Why is it that the word “MASTERpiece” in Persian is “SHAHkar”, which literally means “KINGwork”? Why does the prime berries in Persian is called: “SHAHtoot”, which literally means “KING of berries”? In English it is called: “Black Mulberry”. Both words can have a generic (Neutral) version, or at least a female version be added to the vocabulary, such as “MISTRESSpiece” as the counterpart for the word “MASTERpiece, and ”MALAKEHkar” as the counterpart for the word “SHAHkar”. The word “QUEENtoot”, can be a counterpart for the word “SHAHtoot, which means “Black Mulberry” in English. Perhaps I should add some other words from the Persian language with the similar connotation, in order to make my point, such as:

- SHAHee, SHAHee Abee/ / Cress, Watercress.

- SHAHnaz/ / It is a girl name.

- SHAHbaz/ / Royal falcon.

- SHAHbait/ / Best verse of a poem.

- SHAHbaloot/ / Chestnut.

- SHAHpar/ / Quill; Pen-feather; Pinion.

- SHAHpassand/ / Verbena.

- SHAHtareh/ / Fumitory.

- SHAHteer/ / Main beam, Summer (tree).

SHAHchin/ / Picked by, or for, the king.

- SHAHdaneh/ / Hen-p-seed. Main bead in a rosary.

- SHAHraah/ / Main road; arterial road.

- SHAHrag/ / Jugular vein.

- SHAHhesparm/ / Sweet basil.

- SHAHseem/ / Main line (or wire). Trunk line.

- SHAHfanar/ /Main spring. Main leaf (in a leaf s.).

- SHAHlooleh/ / Main pipe (line).

- SHAHmahi/ / Red mullet. Herring.

- SHAHnesheen/ / Dais; alcove; bay.

And many more!

- Have you ever pondered on the fact that when we send our little children to school (Girls and Boys alike), they are taught mainly the HIStory of the World?! In other words, for the most part women are not in it, their role is limited, or even if they are mentioned, they do not play a major role?! Have you ever thought that most people (children and grown ups alike) when they read or experience something, they try to identify with it? And if a little girl or a woman can not find a positive role model in her upbringing, it would become much harder for her to develop high self-esteem, and to set up high standards and try to achieve them? This problem with the subject of HIStory is true, even when it comes to the subject of RELIGIONS, LITERATURE, and even ART & SCIENCE.

- Have you ever wondered why so many children’s movies and children’s programs have a male figure as the main character?! Even when a female character takes the lead, many a time, does not have a very strong role such as the story of Cinderella. As if the woman’s happiness is in the hand of a man who is expected to come and rescue her from all her miseries!

- Has it ever occurred to you that even in this day and age, the majority of couples who may reside in a University town, is for the man to continue his education?! At the most the woman pursues her’s on the side.

* Maybe it all goes back to the Story of Creation which puts men above women. Let us not to be passive to these kinds of remarks such as the passage which indicates that woman (EVE) was created from the rib of Adam. Regardless of its source, perhaps one needs to take the necessary steps to bring some justice and changes to this world.

* Perhaps it is about time for us as individuals to listen to our own voices and examine and to re-examine what comes out of our mouths, and its reflection in our attitude and in our conduct.

* Perhaps it is about time for us as individuals to empower ourselves and to promise ourselves to avoid using the words that may have either ignorance or prejudicial connotation.

* There is no doubt in my mind that if we put our mind, heart and soul into this vital task, we can overcome most if not all these obstacles.

Only if we ponder on these issues and similar issues, we may be able to educate our children more effectively, and therefore lay a positive foundation for the next generation.

Let us promise ourselves to empower our children to think, feel, and make decisions with a fair mind, heart, and spirit. Let us encourage the unity of peoplekind in ourselves and in our children. Let us encourage the importance of creativity in any form possible whether mental, physical, emotional or spiritual, not only in our children, but also in ourselves. It is the power of creativity that keeps one’s soul alive. Let us celebrate the freedom of spirit, and the importance of individuality in order to have more positive impact on our life as well as the life of the society at large. Let us build a better world together with whatever positive energy we may have to offer.

Let us to educate, empower, and enable our children to choose, and to distinguish between good and bad, and the positive and the negative. Let us free and liberate ourselves from all form of prejudices, and encourage others to do the same.

Let us promise ourselves to honor the traditions of our ancestors, but allow ourselves to evaluate them and do not follow them blindly.

At the end, let us not dictate the old ways to our children, rather allow them to choose their ways with an open mind, and a pure heart.

I hope I succeeded to make the difference in the readers mind that this paper is not about the concepts, rather it is about the not so appropriate realities which most likely need to be changed in the world at large.

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath Nov. 1996 PA

P.S. Please refer to my written articles titled: “People’s Rights/Social Laws” #1, #2 , and “FOOD FOR THOUGHT/WOMEN’S RIGHTS”.

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“SACRED”

What is sacred is anything one treats with the utmost love and respect. It is the deep feeling one experiences in the presence of spirituality. It is the beauty within, shinning through; whether be found in a human being or in a rock, it is pure, innocent, and sacred. It is the joy a child experiences in pursuit of a butterfly, or the pleasure one feels in his/her heart every time a rainbow appears in the sky. It is just as sacred when one feels Peace by resting under the shade of a tree, or in breathing the fresh air of a mountain top. It is in what a gardener experiences within, the feeling which comes as a result of tender loving care s/he pays to his/her plants and flowers. It is in the way one feels when s/he lives in harmony with nature; then every crop, every grain can become Sacred! It is as a result of such attitude that Sacred Corn can be produced. It is the essence embedded in every leaf, every rock, and every river. It is in the way a conscientious, knowledgeable, caring, loving educator helps each student to find answers in life. It is in every KIND action, and in the warmth it produces in the other side’s heart. It is in every time the sun shines and every time the sun sets. It is in every time the moon comes out, and the stars fill the sky with their immense beauty. It is in every drop of rain, and it is in every little action towards bringing peace and comfort in the world.

There are no words to describe SACREDNESS with. One has to experience it for himself/herself, in order to grasp the true meaning of it.

In other words, NOTHING is SACRED, and EVERYTHING can be SACRED. It is in connecting with your true self, and as a result with the whole world. Sacredness is the reality in every human being. Once you connect with IT, it can be found everywhere.

The well being of the world is, in the way, your heart BEAT, it is in the way you let your beat develops a RHYTHM, it is in the essence of your rhythm that the SACREDNESS lies. Every beat, and every rhythm makes a difference in the world, the challenge is in harmonizing our beats and our rhythm with the Rhythm of the Universe.

Bahereh

Oct.1997 PA

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“NOTE OF REJOICE “

My beloved father passed away in Iran, in May 1990. Less than a month after his departure to the next phase of his life, I had a dream about him.

It was about 5:15 A.M. when I opened my eyes and recalled the dream I just had. In the darkness of the room, I searched for a piece of paper and a pencil, and I tried to record the highlights of my dream, before it would possibly escape my mind. The following is what can be considered the climax of this dream:

My father and I were quite visible in this dream. The mood, the air, and the sky was heavy and gray. Then appeared a wondrous, beautiful rainbow in the sky, occupying a large space against the dark grayish sky. It was a joyous scene to witness. The scene was followed by an even more spectacular scene: The appearance of this musical note “ “ in front of the rainbow. This note was a vibrant saffron color (Neon like), dancing in the sky, going from one side all the way to the other side, in a swinging motion, as if the whole sky was its own! The second phenomenon was so powerful and more so joyous, it overpowered the beauty of the rainbow. At the same time, the latter complimented the first one. It was only then, that I felt a rejoicing feeling in my heart. It lifted up my heart, and elevated my spirit.

This luminous note completed my dream. It was the climax of my dream, visually as well as emotionally.

Bahereh Khodadoost

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“RHYTHM MAKERS/SYMBOLIC CYMBALS”

There is a rhythm in the universe. There is a rhythm in many things: nature, the formation of a rock, music, poetry, dance, knitting, crocheting, talking, writing, cooking, sports, designing a car, making a clay pot, painting, building a pyramid, building a building such as Taj Mahal which is truly nothing short of a visual melodic music, or even in mathematics.

“There is a rhythm in ‘Building a LIFE’”

Once an individual connects with it, s/he allows the rhythm to flow through his/her life. It is simply ENERGY, waiting to be released. Once it is released, it generates more energy, and it gives one a sense of direction. It will take us one by one through our journeys.

Individuals are first to find their individual rhythm, their very own BEAT, and then harmonize it with the rhythm/BEAT of the world. Your rhythm, like your voice , makes a difference in the RHYTHM of the world. Your rhythm, like your special way of cooking, gives a special flavor to anything you do in life. The formation of the world community depends on INDIVIDUAL Impressions, the uniqueness of every individual’s fingerprint!

We are all builders, we are all creators. We create our own environment, individually and collectively as well. We do this day by day, and one step at a time. Therefore, we are all RHYTHM MAKERS. All we need to do is let the ENERGY flow within us in order to become more competent and better “RHYTHM MAKERS”. It is then that the ring of our CYMBALS will be adorned with a SACRED SOUND, and the whole universe will be filled with its wondrous power, and its beauty.

This is the true meaning of “PEACE”. This is the true meaning of Love of one’s self and love for the whole universe.

Bahereh/ Sept. 1997,PA.

P.S. In daily life, people and organizations from different walks of life have developed a SYSTEM to maintain order. Once there is a system, a great deal of time is saved, which can be used for more important pursuits.

What is freedom, and how does one become a free thinker? This is a question that every individual needs to find his/her answer.

If the freedom of mind and spirit is sought in the world, first we need to have the proper tools for promoting this kind of attitude. Individuals need to expand their horizons and be encouraged to have their very own dreams in life, and not follow someone else’s dream blindly. They need to be encouraged to free themselves from all the boundaries imposed on them by different societies. Let them believe in themselves, and stretch their imaginations as far as they can, and be limited only by their own imaginations and nothing else.

Each individual should become more responsible for his/her actions. The educators (with or without a degree in education!), should not forget that they have an obligation to educate by allowing the power embedded within every individual (children and grown ups alike) to be released; the power of thinking for one’s self. Therefore, the world may become blessed by a generation which has not blindly become a follower of the past. They should realize that they have options, and they can make their own decisions. Although, they may need to be guided through their search, they need to know that each and every one of them is in charge of her/his own life. We need to empower them and enable them to make good choices in life, help them to see for themselves as opposed to “making” them see. Not dictating to them the social laws from the years past, and letting them decide and choose with open mind, open heart, and open soul. Encourage them to bring forth their powers, manifested through the spirit of love, compassion, justice, fairness, and freedom from all prejudices.

At last, and not the least, letting the children and grown-ups alike, open up to each other and recognize the fact that in this life nobody is a student at all times and by the same token, nobody is a teacher at all times. Only when one realizes that we are all teachers and students of life at all times, then we can benefit from each other simultaneously.

Bahereh

March 1996
PA

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“CAVE AND CONSISTENCY”

Have you ever pondered upon the beauty and the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in a CAVE? As magnificent as they are, they are simply formed by drops of water (one drop at a time), steady drops, calculated in a flowing manner. It is the essence of this consistency that prevails success in Life. Our work in our life journey whether spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or even financial depends on the consistency of our actions. It does not matter if our steps are small or big, what is making the difference is how we keep the momentum in order to create an impact. It is not the knowledge alone that insures our success in life, rather it is the way we apply the knowledge.

Being inside a cave is a wonderful experience. There is a sense of mystery about it. The formation take one to the time of antiquity, and helps one to connect with his/her inner being. The cave is filled with so many formations, formed over a long period of time. Looking at the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, brings this fact to mind that although they are so big, complex, and somewhat magical, yet they are built (formed) very slowly, by the mere constant dropping of water on a focused spot. It is the essence of this consistency that is responsible for the finished work. Same is true in life, the consistency of our actions insures our success in life, whether intellectual, spiritual, emotional, or even financial. This slow process has its own merit, because it has a sense of consistency, depth and security about it. It is like one’s goal in life. The goal can appear to be unattainable, but if it is broken down right, and pursued right, it can take one closer and closer to the goal, and eventually to the goal itself. All one needs in achieving his/her goal, is a right plan, to be focused, and to be consistent in his/her actions. If this be the aim, the success is inevitable. Once the rhythm is created, one should not lose the sight of keeping the momentum going. It is as a result of this momentum (the maintenance) that the goals can become achievable.

To make my point one more time, I resort to a soccer game analogy. What is said before is like the game of soccer. The goal of a player is to score goals by having her/his eye on the ball, and moving it to the right direction. The same strategy can be applied to anything else in life, if success is desired. The same is true with a fisherman/fisherwoman whose object is to catch a FISH, and s/he makes this to happen by showing consistency in his/her approach to catching a fish. S/he does not give up until the FISH is caught, because s/he knows that by giving up, the goal will be lost. In other words through perseverance and various tactics, one can make anything happen.

Bahereh Khodadoost

Nov. 1997 PA

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“WEDDING BAND & DIAMOND RING”

Love is the reason for the existence of the Universe. It is the main ingredient in everything that one does in life. LIFE is LOVE, and love gives meaning to one’s life. If you take this elixir out of life, life becomes meaningless.

At the onset of a marriage, majority of people exchange rings. It is called a wedding band, a covenant, a promise between two people. The “BAND” symbolizes “ETERNITY”. At this time, some people exchange diamond rings as well, although it is more common for a man to give the diamond ring to his future wife. DIAMOND is the hardest thing on the earth! Diamonds are so hard they can only be cut by another diamond. Rubies are the most valuable of all gems. A ruby costs about three times more than a diamond of the same size! Perhaps, giving a diamond ring to a beloved, is to show how strong one’s love and commitment is for the other.

When one combines the two attributes; LOVE & ETERNITY; it becomes sacred. It is the essence of LOVE that leads to the timelessness quality of any relationship.

Therefore the wedding band and the diamond ring, are both metaphors. They are symbolic representations of something beyond our measures.

Isn’t this ironic that something as symbolic and as spiritual as a wedding band or a diamond ring, has lost its meaning to the point that only the amount of money spent on the ring, gives value to the BOND. In other words, one has become so wrapped up in the metaphor that the metaphor has become more important than the real thing. Sadly, the metaphor has become the essence of which it should represent. It had become a “SHOW OFF” thing.

It is more admirable and honorable if one uses his/her insight and becomes more focused on the inner meaning of all things.

Bahereh Khodadoost

Sept. 1997 PA

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“THE ROSE, THE STORY OF LIFE”

Told by Sienna Mae Heath
Written by Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath

On Saturday, December 4,1993, after a long day of work, we came home. It was around 10 O’clock at night when we were all gathered in the bed-room. Sienna Mae climbed up on our bed and sat down between Walter and I, as we were discussing some business matters. All of a sudden Sienna Mae interrupted us and said:

“Mom! Dad! Let me tell you something!
Look!”

Then she closed her hands together very gently and said:

“Look! This is the Bible.”

Then she opened her hands gently as if she was freeing a captured bird, letting the bird fly, and said:

“A pretty flower, a rose comes out of it,”

And as she was looking upward, said:

“It grows bigger and bigger, then it grows
into a big tree.”

Then, she brought her arms down and directed her hands very gently downward, between her legs and said:

“Then, it goes all the way down, and then
another one, another rose comes up.”

She raised her hands again as gently as possible upward and repeated the same story a few times.

It was wonderful, it was unexpected, and it was so spiritual to witness her telling her story so beautifully and experiencing it with her. It made both of us speechless. It moved me and touched my very being, beyond words. I saw that happening in Walter as I noticed his teary eyes while he was listening to Sienna relating her story to us. It was as if she was trying to tell us that Mam, dad, don’t loose sight of what is truly important in life.

I said to Walter: “What a neat concept, this is the best analogy (along with a performance) that I have ever heard on the subject of Progressive Revelation!,” the recurrence of Spring-time again and again. In my mind’s eyes, I saw the rose described by Sienna: large, luscious, and a beautiful pink. I even smelled the aroma of it filling the chamber of my heart. It was definitely a joyous and wonderful experience, so descriptive, and filled with her innocent and pure spirit.

It was a story about LIFE and not DEATH. It was all about LIVING and not DYING. A story, symbolic, yet descriptive, a fine way describing the essence of TRUE BIRTH and RE-BIRTH. As full of spirit, as the story teller (Sienna Mae) is! It was wonderful to be there and be a witness to this brief, yet conclusive performance. The story was simple, but well expressed, clear and crisp as fresh as the early morning air with no clouds to cover anything.

I love the untarnished imagination of a child. Don’t let yourself to be disillusioned by anything. Let your imagination soar as a child’s senses- so fresh, so airy, so free, and as weightless and beautiful as a butterfly.

I am seriously thinking of writing a play based on this brief, but conclusive story told by sienna Mae. I would love her to perform it. I would love to work on the set, the stage, and everything else that might be relative to it being a finished work of art with a positive outcome.

I like the idea of the butterfly, transforming into a rose, then changing, transforming, and growing into a large tree; then repeating the whole cycle again and again. Maybe having some actors acting it out, and at the same time showing some computer images on a large screen in the background.

I believe that this story can be used not only in relation with religions, but rather covering other subjects such as the theory of Evolution, painting, acting, and other subjects.

I am in awe and very proud of having a child like Sienna Mae. Her senses are pure and fresh as the early morning air. She is as a breath of a fresh air. She told us her story, and touched me like a gentle breeze!

I named this story “THE ROSE”. I listened to Sienna Mae’s innocent story, created in her pure heart and mind, and related to us so beautifully. Every time I heard the word “ROSE”, I visualized a large, luscious pure pink rose with its fragrance filling the room.

“HERANA”

This book is dedicated to my daughter, SIENNA MAE, who has asked me to show her HERANA’s book!

We do have copies of HAFEZ’s book at home, but until this day we’ve never had the BOOK OF HERANA!
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little girl with deep, big colorful eyes.

She loved birds, flowers, candles, music & dancing very much.

She was around 22 months old, her parents bought a little baby canary, and named him “HAFEZ”. You see, he was named after a famous Persian poet whom Sienna Mae’s grandmother, who was also a poet, loved so much. It didn’t take hardly any time before the bird’s chirping was transformed into singing. He sang so beautifully, and we all loved it. He made us so happy that it is hard to describe. Sienna Mae loved this bird especially, and used to spend so much time looking at and talking to this pretty yellow bird. She also started calling all the other little birds “HAFEZ” as well.

The most memorable day was the day when Hafez was found outside of his cage, flying all over the place, in the kitchen. Sienna’s mother tried and tried to capture the bird, but the more she tried, the less she succeeded. It was almost as if she did not want to catch this little yellow bird, who was flying around so freely outside his cage. Then the mother thought of something! She thought of video taping the free bird. Its flying so freely reminded her of the following passage from the Hidden words of Baha’u’llah:

“O Son Of Spirit!”

“Burst thy cage asunder, and even as the Phoenix of love soar into the firmament of holiness. Renounce thyself and, filled with spirit of mercy, abide in the realm of celestial sanctity.”

It was a wonderful experience for Sienna Mae and her mother as well, and still is!

A few more months went by, it was around July 1992, when Sienna’s parents decided to move from Ginger Blue, MO. to Pen Argyl, PA.

They could and did not, give up “HAFEZ”. Therefore, they took Hafez with them all the way from MO. to PA. They put Hafez in his cage in the front seat of their car, which was towed behind a huge U-Hall truck.

They made it all the way to Pen Argyl, PA. They decided to hang the cage temporarily on the porch of their new house. But, alas!, after a few days, one morning they looked through the window and they realized that Hafez was gone! Hafez’s departure made Sienna and her parents very sad and heartbroken. They all missed him very much.

Another year and a few more months passed by, lots of changes took place in their life. Now, they had a studio close to their house.

It was the month of Nov. 1993, when they received a gift from Sienna’s uncle who lives in the South. The gift was to spend on a gift for Sienna’s and Sienna’s Mama’s birthday. You see, their birthdays are only one day apart, Sienna’s on Oct. 10, and her Mama’s on Oct. 11. Guess what?! They decided to buy another canary, and this time to put him in his cage and hung the cage in their studio. The studio seemed to be a very safe place for the bird. Here the bird could sing and fly, make everybody happy, and watch us all make things and transform the clay! THEY CALLED THE NEW CANARY “HAFEZ” TOO!

In mid-December 1993, Sienna Mae and her parents received another gift of love, this time from Sienna’s aunt who lives in AZ. Guess what?! They bought a beautiful green, blue, and peach colored LOVE BIRD, and they called it “HERANA”. Herana was a name Sienna had come up with some time after the 1st. bird Hafez left them. She most often called one of her toy mushroom birds “HERANA”. A name made up by her.

Now, we all love our studio even more than before. We love walking into the studio and feel the warmth of the pleasant environment created by these two lovely birds. Now Sienna Mae enjoys herself more than before, and every now and then between WORK, gets up, looks at the birds, and talks to them extensively about the important things in life! She acts as their cheer leader, and encourages them to sing more and fly more! Quite frequently, She reminds Hafez of and shares with him the experience of his flying outside his cage in our Ginger Blue house. She starts by saying: “Hafez! do you remember when you got out of your cage in Ginger Blue, MO. and were flying all over the place! You were funny! Why did you do that? Huh?!”

It is such a joy to watch her sharing her life with these two lovely birds.

Until this day, Sienna Mae is amazed as how did Hafez manage to get out of his cage in the summer of 1992, and made a long journey from his cage to the pet shop, where he was purchased by her parents AGAIN on Dec.1993. Although, we do not know of all the details, but nevertheless, we all are glad that we have found “HAFEZ” ONCE MORE!

THE END
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Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath
Dec. 1993 PA

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“Ode to Hafez /Hafez’s Death”

Our dear canary bird, Hafez, died on last Sunday, Sept. 6, 1998. He was found dead by Walter that morning. He died in his cage, in our studio in Pen Argyl, Pa.

We had to tell Sienna of Hafez’s death. The news made her gentle spirit extremely sad, and the tears rolled down her cheeks. We all gathered some little things from the house, from our yard at the house, and at the studio, and we entered the studio. With teary eyes, Sienna Mae held the motionless bird for a few minutes, a few minutes of precious silence. Then with extreme care, and with the utmost love she carried the bird outside the studio, under her apple tree. The tree that was planted by her a few years ago, her favorite tree since an early age. We put Hafez in an old clay covered jar made by Walter, along with a mushroom bird, Sienna’s favorite, a round clay piece in rosy color, made by me, which is adorned with the word LOVE in Persian, a small clay piece by me in the shape of star of David adorned with a letter in Hebrew, (turned around it resembled a bird), some flowers, fresh & dry flowers both, and the story I wrote a few years ago, titled “Herana”, although it was mainly about Hafez! On the grave, we put a Persian Peace tile made by me, along with a round clay piece made by me, adorned with the word Love, and glazed in yellow, also a small clay piece with Sienna’s face on it, also glazed in yellow, both reminder of Hafez’s beautiful color, another clay piece by me with the bird-like Hebrew letter in the star of David, and lots of flowers! We were all very emotional. Sienna Mae & I read a poem by Hafez, the mystic Persian poet, in the English & in the Persian language, as follows:

“A lovely tune played the musician of love.
The tunes played, came from Heaven above.”

Needless to say that we remembered my mother, Maman Joon alot, since she was a poet herself, and she was very fond of the poet, Hafez! She also loved birds, especially canaries. In fact, some of the dry flowers we put inside the covered jar, and on top of Hafez’s grave was from my dear mother’s memorial service that we had for her, in our home in Ginger Blue, Mo. The year was 1989, and the season was Fall season. These were red rose flowers that Walter brought home with great respect & love on the day that we had a memorial service for my dear mother. I always remember this kindness, and I cherish it forever.

Hafez’s death made us all very sad, especially our dear daughter Sienna Mae who had been raised around this pretty, sweet bird. We miss his melodious singing. We miss his gentle character. We miss all the virtues we have felt in this little bird. We miss all the virtues this sweet little canary possessed, and we long to possess. He will be remembered, and cherished by us for a long long time, and his precious memories will stay with us forever!

Hafez was buried by his owners/ admireres, Sienna Mae, Walter, & Bahereh. He was buried with the utmost love, and enormous care, and respect. After the funeral, and the memorial service, we came inside the studio, trying to work on our costumes for the Pen Argyl, Labor Day parade, next day, Monday, Sept. 7, 1998. Sienna Mae went to the office, playing her keyboard. She started composing a wonderful song, pure as her beautiful soul, in memory of Hafez!

We are thinking of getting another canary in the near future, but as Sienna Mae told us, we are not going to name the next canary, Hafez. She believes that another bird cannot replace the same bird, there was and has always will be one Hafez canary. We may name the next one, Saadi, Rumi, or something else, but not Hafez! As Sienna says, we have to see the bird before we can decide what name is appropriate for him/her!

Oh HAFEZ, we will never forget you. Even our Love bird, and we are all convinced that even our Cat Daisy miss you!

Love,

Bahereh

Sept. 1998 PA

P.S.

I am planning to make a small arch shape Mausoleum on Hafez’s grave, resembling the Hafez the poet’s mausoleum in Shiraz, Iran. A favorite spot for majority of Iranians, especially the lovers, and the mystics.

“The Bird of Golden Winds”

Author: Monirou Ravani Pour
Illustrator: Mohammad Hossein Tehrani

THE WINNER OF THE “HONOUR DIPLOMA” FOR THE
PICTURES OF THE TEXT IN THE 1ST ASIAN EXHIBITION FOR THE WORKS OF THE CHILDREN BOOKS ILLUSTRATORS- TEHRAN 1991.

The Illustrator - Painter : Mohammad Hossein Tehrani
Publisher: the books of “Gole Maryam” (Tuberose Flower) - Affiliated to Neda Publications

P.O.Box : 16315 - 361 Tehran, IRAN

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“The Bird of Golden Winds”

Translation: Bahereh Khodadoost

Long ago, one night, when the wishes would still come true, a little mermaid woke up in the middle of the sea. She saw a golden bird, she rubbed her eyes and said:

“Oh! What a beautiful bird!, I bet the witch of all seas has captured it.”

From the sound of the little mermaid, all the other mermaids woke up. They saw the golden bird, and together they all said:

“Oh! What a beautiful bird! We are certain that the witch of all seas has captured it.”

Then, they all swam towards the little bird, to pick it up, take it to the sea-shore, and set it FREE! But the witch of all seas who was not a very heavy sleeper, heard the mermaids’ voices, and woke up. She yawned, and from it came a sudden storm. This way no mermaid could reach the golden winged bird who was representing good fortune.

Then, one of the waves that liked the earth, wished to see the bird of good luck and happiness FLY over the earth. It picked up the bird, and took it up high in the sky. At once, this bird of happiness kissed the high tide with its golden beak, and flew towards the land.

The golden winged bird flew and flew, until it reached to the top of a city. The mayor of the city who was standing on the balcony of his castle saw the bird, and cried out:

“Oh! What a wonderful golden bird! If I can have it, I can rule over one thousand lands.”

The mayor ordered the capturing of the bird, it was to be put in a golden cage, to be hung on the castle’s balcony.

But, the golden winged bird started singing sadly. The mermaids heard its singing, and it made them sad, and they sighed. Their sigh turned into the north wind. The north wind reached itself to the balcony of the castle, picked up the cage, and took it away. The north wind passed many valleys, many mountains, many rivers & creeks, until it reached a field. The north wind continued moving ahead, until it saw a village from above. Outside the village, there was a little girl picking flowers. The little girl saw the north wind, and waved at it. The north wind who was very tired by this time, came down in front of the little girl’s foot, and put the cage down.

As soon as the little girl saw the golden wing bird, she dropped her flowers, and cried out:

“Oh! What a beautiful golden bird! If I take it home, my mother who is sick, will get her health back.”

Then, she opened the golden cage, and held the bird in her little hands. She ran to her house, her mother who was sick in bed, saw the bird, and felt healthy again. The mother smiled, and said:

“Oh! What a beautiful golden bird! If our feeble old neighbor touches this bird, his dark world will turn into light!”

The little girl took the bird to the neighbor who was an old blind, feeble man, who was lying down in a corner. The man touched the bird, touched its golden wings, and suddenly he got his sight back. The old man saw the bird, and smiled. He said:

“Oh! If my brother who is saddened by the loss of his sons whom have gone to the sea, and have never been back, sees this bird, his sons will be returned.”

The little girl took the bird to the old man’s brother. Before he could even see the golden bird, his sons returned from their long lost journey at the sea.

When the little girl saw and experienced all of these, she said to herself:

“Why should I keep this bird! I should let it go around the world, and make every body happy.”

Then, she set the golden wing bird FREE! The bird started its flight, and flew higher and higher, and... no body knows any more of its whereabouts!

Who knows, perhaps if you look up in the sky, someday, you may see this golden wing bird... and by the way, if you happen to see this bird, what do you think you may want from it?!

THE END!

“ The Story of the Lost GOLDEN BIRD Canary/ THE UNITY BIRD!”

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

Dedicated to: Pleasant Valley Elementary School

Once upon a time there was a GOLDEN Bird Canary. It was made out of glass, yet it managed to possess a magical power through the POWER of IMAGINATION!

It was the month of Nov., and the year was 1998. Bahereh Khodadoost who is a rostered artist, was doing her three weeks art-in- residency at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Effort, PA. Bahereh was teaching the Essence of Life, and the importance of having an artistic attitude, which enables one to enjoy life more fully. It was during her residency when a GLASS GOLDEN BIRD CANARY appeared in the school! Bahereh was teaching the students, and was trying very hard to teach the importance of staying connected with our true self, Nature! She shared a Classical Persian Music by Javaad Maroufi, a Persian Composer/Musician, played on the Piano. This song was called: GOLDEN DREAM! The students were encouraged to bring their best out, and turn inward, until they find their very own GOLDEN DREAM. To make the process easier, Bahereh shared many things with the students, one of them was a beautiful Persian Story, called: THE BIRD OF GOLDEN WINDS. This was the story that brought the Glass Golden Bird Canary to LIFE! This was a story about a golden bird in a cage. The bird can’t sing, because it is captured in a cage, like our wonderful ideas that are trapped inside of us. The story goes on, until the bird finds partial freedom, experience tender love of a little girl, who is taking the bird out of the cage, and held it in her little hands, and the bird starts singing. The bird which represents the freedom of the spirit, Love, & Hope possess the power of healing any individual who comes in contact with it. The little girl comes to the realization that if the bird had made a few people happy, it will certainly can make many more people happy, if it is completely FREE. With this thought in mind, she releases the bird out of her hands thinking that now this bird of happiness can FLY All Over the WORLD and make many people happy. At the end, the author encourages every individual think of something special to ask the bird to give her/him, in case if one by chance see the bird flying against the sky.

Every time Bahereh told the story to the children, she picked up this Glass Golden Bird Canary which was left in a net cage, took the bird out, and pretended its FLYING. She emphasized that this bird represents your wonderful ideas, your Golden Dreams! Believe in yourselves, believe in your feelings, and your imaginations, be true to yourselves, and FREE THE BIRD! This is the TRUE MEANING of Being An ARTIST! It is when you share you honest feelings & thoughts in a creative way with others. When you bring your best to the world, and make the world a better place. When you become POWERFUL & COOL, by learning the Universal Language of Feelings, of Love, Compassion, Justice, Fairness, and PEACE! She talked about magic, and the fact that the magic lies within every one of us.

KEEP THE CHILD ALIVE IN ‘U’!
Enjoy the Rainbow/ Enjoy the Butterfly/ Enjoy the Bird/
FREE the BIRD!

The last three days of Bahereh’s residency was designed for Bahereh doing her own work, and displaying her work on a table, in the school lobby. It was Thursday afternoon, Nov. 19, 1998, when Bahereh realized that the Glass Golden Bird Canary was missing! It was gone with all its magical powers, still in its cage! Bahereh immediately reported the missing Glass Golden Bird Canary to the school office! Towards the end of the school day, the school secretary announced the Missing of the Glass Golden Bird Canary, in its cage! Right away, there was such commotion in school that made Bahereh’s heart filled with joy! Most every body was openly concerned about the whereabouts and the well-being of this MAGICAL BIRD! From children to parents to faculty who happened to know about the story of the GOLDEN Bird showed concern! Bahereh started believing that perhaps this Glass Golden Bird Canary possesses a Magical Power, Power of bringing the whole school together, the power of UNIFICATION! She started calling it the UNITY BIRD!

It was not too long after the announcement that a young boy showed up at Bahereh’s table in the lobby, and returned the MAGICAL GLASS GOLDEN BIRD CANARY! He said that he had found it lying down on the ground outside near the school’s playground! I, along with every one else was relieved!

Yesterday, Nov. 20, 1998, was my last day of residency at the school, and the parent teachers' conferences were in order. Quite a few children were present, and many along with their parents were asking me if the GLASS GOLDEN BIRD CANARY was found or not? My positive response to their questions was enough to bring a big smile in their faces, and I would think that once more this GOLDEN BIRD has managed to bring happiness to one’s life!

I do believe that the little boy with the bird needed to experience the Glass Golden Bird Canary in his little hands in order to find out for himself that the true magic lies within him, the magic is inside his heart, and not anywhere else!

Bahereh Khodadoost

P.S.

Bahereh’s strong feeling for the bird is as a result of her upbringing. Her mother was an educated mystic, and very much involved in music, poetry, and literature. Her father although a well-known banker, yet he had a great deal of passion for poetry. The language of poetry is a very comfortable language for Bahereh, and it spreads itself in all aspects of her life. She finds Art and Poetry inseparable from each other, because they both touch the soul of a human being. The use of the bird, especially the bird canary, which symbolizes Intellectual Freedom, is quite common in Persian Poetry.

There are many stories in Bahereh’s life that has happened around the canary bird. Two of them are recorded by her, in two articles, called: “HERANA”, “ODE TO HAFEZ/HAFEZ’S DEATH”. Hafez was the name of their family bird, who was named after a famous Persian Mystic Poet, and her daughter Sienna Mae loved so dearly.

She shared some part of these stories with the children, to make a point that TRUE ART is LASTING! It lasts either in our HEARTS, or in our MINDS! To make it easier for the students to understand this concept, she would bring examples, such as the building of a SAND CASTLE, created by an artist. A big wave can wash the SAND CASTLE in a blink of an eye! Then, she would pose the question: Do you think the persons that build those wonderful SAND CASTLES ARTISTS/ Do they create ART?! She would hear the YES answers! Then, she would ask: What happens after the SAND CASTLE is all washed away?
Just the fact that the physical part of it is gone, does not mean that the art is gone, because the artist who created it, remembers the feeling of building it, and we as observers remember the building aspect of it, and its monumental &
Magical appearance!

She would bring examples from the DEATH of HAFEZ the CANARY. She would say, now that the bird has died, is the SINGING gone?! Or is simply the bird is gone. Don’t we still remember the melodious singing of the bird who brought so much joy to our hearts! Then, Bahereh would play a couple of her daughter’s compositions, written by Sienna Mae and played on the keyboard by her. One is called “HAFEZ” (Composed when the canary bird Hafez was still alive) & the other one is called “Fairy Dance”, composed shortly after Hafez’s Death. Then, she would read Sienna Mae’s write up on these two compositions, as follows:

Fairy Dance By: Sienna Mae Heath 1998 What inspired me to compose FAIRY DANCE is because the day I started writing this, was when my bird HAFEZ died. I was so sad I didn’t know what to do. I went to my keyboard & started playing. I was thinking of his life & how after I got my cat, I hardly paid attention to him. I also thought of his beautiful voice & the last time I saw him. I thought of him suddenly turning into a FAIRY!

I composed & played it on the keyboard. The keyboard has its own sequencer, I played several of the compositions into the sequencer. I then selected the best version, then recorded them on the tape.

Hafez By: Sienna Mae Heath 1998 What inspired me to compose HAFEZ was Hafez’s voice, (which was a canary) & his life & beautifulness. Last years Reflections I was playing notes & called it Hafez while I was recording, but that wasn’t recorded. Then, I composed but a little different. Later, I composed & played this on the keyboard. The keyboard has its own sequencer, I played several of the compositions into the sequencer. I then selected the best versions, then recorded them on the tape. Suddenly, I turn around & see & hear my yellow canary.

*******************

“Ode to Daisy”

“My CAT Daisy
Faithful & Sweet”

- My cat Daisy is faithful and sweet.

- He is as black as he can be.

- He is gentle & soft, kind & respectful.

- He eats and sleeps a lot lately.

- He used to be more active and playful when he was younger.

- He is 2 1/2 years old now.

- He was only a few weeks old when we found him quite by accident in Sienna Mae’s playhouse outside the studio nearly 2 1/2 years ago (June 1995). He was the object of Sienna Mae’s wish coming true. Sienna’s desire for having a cat, especially a BLACK CAT, was half way realized when Whiskers (a black stuffed cat) was given to her on her 5th birthday by me (Walter and I). But the final realization was when we discovered Daisy (the black kitten) in her playhouse. He adopted us & Sienna named him Daisy right away.

- He is quiet and soft, there is a sense of mystery about him which I love. I deeply connect with this mysterious phenomenon, and I cherish it. This is the main reason that connects me with him.

- He definitely is part of the family now. He is sienna Mae’s best friend and is considered as her little brother! He is welcome to the house on the daily basis starting this fall. This notion was initiated by ME! Surprise! Surprise!

- I am planning to keep him as long as he lives.

- Watching him to walk around, to move around & sleep has a calming affect on me, and I truly like the feeling it brings to me.

- He is sensitive and nice, and above all he is faithful. When Sienna was sick last August, Daisy, who was mainly staying in our studio and was labeled as studio cat, came every single day to the house to check on Sienna until she was finally over her sickness. Then, Daisy stopped showing up at our doorsteps.

- He is independent and wise, he reminds me so much of Sienna. They are so much alike which is extremely interesting and somewhat eerie at the same time.

- He rubs himself against me before he comes inside the house, this perhaps is his way of showing respect (greeting). When I give him food, no matter how hungry he might be, first he stays around and rubs himself against me, then he approaches his plate of food.

- Having a REAL BLACK CAT was Sienna Mae’s wish told to the Santa Claus who visited our home on Dec. 1994. She told the Santa that she wants a cat for Xmas, a Real Black CAT!

- When he is hungry, he gets close to the pantry where we keep his food, as soon as he sees his food (the can of cat food), he acts like an exited hungry baby who is watching his/her mother or another care-giver fixing the bottle of milk or the plate of food. Yet he makes sure of thanking you by rubbing himself against you before start eating.

- My cat knows the Universal feeling that “LOVE” can give to one. He knows it, he exhibits it in his manners, and he receives it like any other LIVING BEING. I enjoy hearing him PURRING when he is filled with happy, loving, and positive feelings.

This is My Cat Daisy!
Faithful & Sweet.

This is my “PeasheCAT”

Bahereh

NOV. 10,1997
PA

LOST & FOUND!

Daisy the CAT!

P.S. On Saturday, Feb. 24th, 2001, Daisy the Cat left our house in Pen Argyl, PA, to go out for a little while, but he did not come back! We (Bahereh, my husband Walter, and our daughter, Sienna Mae) were all heartbroken. Today, April 1, 2001 ‘April Fools’ Day!’, the new owner of the cat, Dear Melissa called us from Stroudsburg, willing to give Daisy back to us! We are truly grateful for this, and we cannot say enough to thank her for her genuine kindness. Our thank you also goes to the SPCA in Stroudsburg for finding our CAT!

Thank you! Thank You!! Thank You!

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“My Parents’ Abodes in Heaven” Dec. 5, 1995 PA

Last night I had a dream which was partially a reflection of my recent worries about our financial situation. In the dream I found myself at the edge of a bridge or a narrow path. Looking to my right side with a black and white view, I saw a large, almost Greek-like building made out of marble, stone or concrete. I knew it was a place beyond the earthly world. The front door opened and I saw my father coming through the door, then standing in front of the open door. In the dream, I knew my parents had passed away. Somehow we communicated without words, I explained to him that I am very worried about my financial situation, he motioned with his hand and again without any words coming out of his mouth, assured me that everything is going to be all right. Then he pointed to the other side of the path, where I was standing and said: “go talk to your mother too, she is there and she will assure you too.” I turned my head to the other side and saw a view of a prairie-like environment all in bright colors, full of greenery and various colored flowers all over the place. I approached that way and sensed my mother’s presence and her assurance, then I woke up. It was like looking at a beautiful scene from a distant, panoramic view point!

This morning, I feel comforted and not fearful. It was a reassuring feeling.

What was pronounced and interesting was the fact that the side my father was in was black and white, but not necessarily gloomy. There was kind of a solid, stable feeling about it. The side my mother was in was all in bright colors, almost artificial colors, and there was more flowing, more gentler, and softer feeling about it, yet just as reassuring. The environment there had her spirit in it, it was a visual representation of her spirit I had known all my life.. It resembled a hilly (hill and valley) small village, the air was extremely refreshing.

Bahereh Khodadoost

“GOD’S WELCOMING PARTY”

Feb. 10, 1990, early in the morning. I woke up and recalled the following dream I had about my dear mother whom I lost on Nov. 1989.

I found myself along with my husband and a few other people in a rather large room (loft). While conversing with each other, suddenly, I glanced across the room and witnessed my mother appearing there, in a sitting position. I approached her at once and sat beside her. Looked into her eyes, she did not seem to be happy nor sad, rather O.K. She seemed to be concerned about me, just in case I had not understood the recent events of her life, and possibly I would be upset over them. She responded to my question asking about her well-being as follows: “I am fine. You know, the day I left this earthly world, as soon as I reached there (the next world), a special feast was awaiting me, and there were lots of people there.” She said: “Of course Abdul’Baha was there, Dr. Massih Farhangi, a few members of the Universal House of Justice and a few of the Hands of the Cause!” While relating her story I looked far ahead and to my surprise could see God’s feast in a far away distance taking place in front of my eyes. Like a replay. Well lighted atmosphere almost saffron color, a table full of food with a white table-cloth. Quite a few people around the table with white, but rather elegant outfits. I only recognized Dr. Farhangi. Then I asked: “I always thought that you were close to God and to Abdu’l-Baha even when you lived here, weren’t you?! Then what is the difference?! Weren’t you happy when you were here with us?! I said to myself: “If the answer is positive, then why did you leave us” She replied: Of course I was happy, but now there is a big difference, because I am all SOUL now. There is no boundaries. Everyday life and its complications has no effect on my state of being anymore.

I woke up. For the first time since the passing of my beloved mother, which was extremely hard on me, I found a large measure of peace in me, so hard to describe.

Bahereh Khodadoost

“A GREEN BALL OF LIGHT”

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

When I was a young teen-ager, I lost my maternal grandmother. To me, she personified love and true spirit. Her loss had a great impact on me, and I missed her dearly. Sometime later, I had a dream about her. In my dream, I found myself in an open space area, very beautiful and serene, as the Garden of Eden is described. The ground was carpeted with grass, blue sky as far as the eye could see without any clouds, and streams with flowing pure water, and the air was clear and fresh and extremely clean. It felt like early dawn. It was a pleasant atmosphere and I was totally out of this earthly world. Suddenly, I saw a ball of light, so light and so bright approaching me. I remember its color was kind of a hazy, foggy green, halo like. I did not have to question it, because somehow I knew that it was my dear grandmother! In a gently floating movement, she reached me and we both walked, rather to say floated by a narrow stream with flowing limpid water. We were like weightless beings and full of joy. She was the embodiment of love, as ever, and I felt that I was wrapped and filled in her tender, gentle, and soft love again. She was with me more than ever before and I was feeling wonderful just to be with her.

It is very hard for me to describe that light, loving, wonderful feeling that I experienced in this dream. I was absolutely free, free as a bird! Suffice to say, that after more than 25 years since I had this dream, every time I recall this dream, the feeling is still as strong with me as ever.

Bahereh

“Touched by an ANGEL” Blessing of my Home & My New Born Baby Girl, Sienna Mae SHE Was There! When my daughter was still an infant, and shortly after the sudden passing of my beloved mother, I had this EXPERIENCE! The year must have been 1990, and around Springtime. The location was our rock house in a small village, called: Ginger Blue, Missouri. I experienced something very unusual. I remember one night, early dawn, still in bed & half asleep, I felt the presence of my mother in my home! It was like as if an ANGEL was at work, and she was floating all around my house. I felt, and I saw it going all around the house and touching everything! What woke me up was the sound of the door opening and closing, and then the sound of her footsteps on the steps by my bed room. She had a greenish dress on with subtle designs, that I remember her wearing it in real life as well. The steps were leading to the lower part of my yard, heading towards the studio, and the highway. Her Mission Was Accomplished, and She was Leaving! I jumped out of my bed, and I looked out in hope of catching a glimpse of her! But alas, alas, she was gone! Yet I was certain of her being in my home, and I knew that she had come to my home. Not just a figment of my imagination, rather her actual physical being had come to my house. I could feel that her physical presence had been in my house. I felt, and was certain that she made it to my house to BLESS My HOUSE/HOME, and to BLESS My CHILD. I could see that in My Little Girl’s Eyes afterward! I could see my mother’s eyes looking back at me through Sienna Mae’s eyes for quite some time! You as the reader of this article do not have to believe me, I know what I experienced and that is good enough for me. I do not need anybody’s approval, nor do I look for anybody else’s answer. I know what is REAL, and what Is Not, and that experience was as REAL as any experience that I have ever had in my life! She Blessed my home and filled me once again in her everlasting LOVE! I was wrapped in her never-ending LOVE once again! And at last, my daughter Sienna Mae had a chance to be touched by her, and to experience her gentle LOVE! THANK YOU MY DEAREST MOTHER, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I LOVE You MOM more than ever! Bahereh Khodadoost Copyright Spring 1990

REFLECTIONS ON “HEART”

GENUINE LOVE AND RESPECT

I have told and retold this story to friends and strangers alike. Finally, this morning, I decided to put it on the paper.

It was around Christmas 1994, one day our friends, Karyn and Michael visited our pottery studio. They carefully and lovingly selected a few gifts for some of their friends. They purchased the items, but before they left, Michael, as usual, visited Sienna Mae’s work area and her ever-expanding Mini Gallery. He picked up a clay piece made by Sienna and asked her if he could buy it. This question made her feel uncomfortable as it often does. She looked at me, wanting me to explain. I said in a convincing voice that if you ask differently, you may have more luck with it. Then I proceeded saying that you may ask, “May I have one of your pots?” That was the time when Sienna responded to him: “Sure you can have one, but let me choose one.” Then she carefully selected a heart shaped clay piece in her gallery and gave it to him. I explained to Michael that there are prices on some of her items, although it may suggest that they are for sale, the fact of the matter is that they are priced only for her mommy and daddy to buy them!

Anyway, the heart was supposed to be wrapped with the rest of the items purchased by Karyn and Michael, but shortly after they left the studio, Sienna Mae discovered that her daddy had forgotten to wrap the heart and put it in their box. She was completely distressed and genuinely concerned that when Michael opened the box and found that the HEART was not in it, he may wonder what had happened to the HEART. She asked me for his phone number. I said, “Sienna Mae, it is not necessary to call him, I’ll see Karyn tomorrow in Aerobic class, and I will give it to her and I will make sure that Michael gets it.” She was not quite comfortable with my suggestion, and continued bugging me and talking about the HEART and thinking that Michael might be wondering about its whereabouts. Finally I looked up in the phone book and I gave Sienna his phone number, thinking that she may shy away from calling, but I was wrong. She picked up the phone and dialed the number, then I heard her saying: “Can I talk to Michael.... This is Sienna Mae from Ginger Blue Pottery Studio, my dad has forgotten to put the HEART in the box, I want you to know that the HEART is here. “I took the phone in my hand and told him that she was concerned, but I could give the heart to Karyn tomorrow. He said, “NO! Although I am in the middle of painting, I should come to pick up the HEART.”

Meanwhile Sienna Mae did a nice drawing and coloring for them, writing everybody’s name on it: (Michael, Karyn, Kila, and Ivy), and wishing them a happy Xmas, and a note on it saying: “Enjoy the HEART”.

Michael arrived shortly afterwards, and with the utmost love and respect picked up the HEART and the coloring, then told Sienna Mae that he would be putting the HEART in his office (Big Apple Circus) in New York City.

So my friends, I am (or better to say, we are) grateful and honored to know, let alone to be friends with this family. We truly cherish their genuine friendship and hope for it to grow over the years to come.

I truly feel from the depth of my heart that there is a reason for anything that happens in one’s life, so maybe if our moving from Missouri to Pennsylvania outwardly was not very successful, but the sole fact of getting to know people such as this family who are so rare to find, free from all bondage, free like a bird, free spirits with so much depth, yet so pure and innocent, make it worth every minute of being here. I strongly believe that one’s tree of life bears fruit in so many different ways, and surely having these kind of flowing relationships contribute to the abundance of it.

Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath

June 10, 1995
PA

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“MANIFESTO” or “WOMANIFESTO! REFLECTIONS”

I celebrate the spirit and the beauty embedded in all the diverse holidays and holy days. I celebrate the joy, happiness, unity and peace that exist in all of these events. They are excuses to remind us how important it is to be loving, caring and kind to our fellow human beings. I celebrate “The celebration of light and birth” which is manifested fully in many people’s celebrations such as Hanukkah “Celebration of Light;” “Winter Solstice/ “The birth of Light, The rebirth of the Sun;” Christmas with its beautiful spirit, wonderfully celebrates the birth of the Holiness Jesus Christ. The beauty of the Xmas tree and its bright lights embody the life and teachings of Jesus. Iranian New Year (Naw-Ruz) as the Celebration of Spring with all its beauty and all its symbolism exemplified and manifested in its seven S’s/ . Kwanzza has its own beauty; Chinese New Year’s celebration is exhilarating and jubilant; so is the Native American Powwow and some other celebrations. I also celebrate the long time tradition of lighting candles in temples and shrines throughout the world.

In other words, if I find symbolism and allegory in any celebration, in any way of life, as long as it is uplifting, I joyfully accept it with open arms, open heart and open mind. Even if I do not celebrate it exactly in the same manner as others, I still do celebrate it in my own way. My point is, for example, when it comes to Xmas, I do celebrate it, sometimes with the help of the tree, and sometimes without the tree, because I do celebrate Xmas and not only the Xmas tree! My celebration is the celebration of the true spirit embedded underneath the surface.

I say these few words to explain myself a little further to all my dear ones.

I do believe in God as the Great Spirit, the Ultimate Love. I believe in a God who is genderless. I believe in a God who is absolute. A God who can be felt like Love although can not be seen with the outer eyes. By the same token I do believe in a symbolic figure such as Santa Claus. I believe in the concept of a person or a mystical being watching over our true happiness. The idea that no matter what, someone somewhere loves you and cares for you. The fact that no matter how bad the situation might be, there is always HOPE, and things can get better. I believe in Santa Claus as a positive force, although imaginary.

I believe in the spiritual teachings of all the religions and all the great teachers, seers, and philosophers of the world. I believe in the ever expanding of the mind, emotions, soul and heart through all senses outwardly as well as inwardly. I believe in having different positive experiences through various exposures to different cultures, past as well as present.

I believe in true equality of men and women, which in my opinion (point of view) is having equal opportunity in all aspects of life.

I do believe that my mind, my heart, my feelings, and above all my spirit belongs to me and not to anybody else. I can and I do share them occasionally with others only when I wish to do so. I believe in the spirit of cooperation, compromises, and consideration, but not to the point of loosing my own identity over it. In other words, I would never compromise my basic values under any circumstances. I keep my own identity, and I do not let it get lost, dissolve or disappear into someone else.

I do believe in keeping a spiritual and positive attitude in life which will enable one to stay more centered individually and be a service to the community as a whole. I believe my job on this planet earth is to become a noble human being. To expand my horizon and to educate myself to the best of my ability in all aspects of life in order to become a well-rounded person which in return may enable me to help others.

I believe one way to sustain in life and to be able to maintain a positive outlook on life is to find something in life that one has PASSION for, either in art or otherwise. Something that can nourish one deep inside. A creative world aside from the outside world which is tranquil, private, and personal, a solitude, a sanctuary.

I am a true believer of literature, science, art, dance and above all music which imitates nature, and like nature uplifts the spirit.

My upbringing, in the loving care of my dear parents whom were true humanists, hopefully raised me as an independent human being; a free thinker and a free soul, a person with a great deal of integrity and some high values, although I have to admit that since I am human, I am not flawless, My parents were religious Baha’is, but never fanatic about things in general. Therefore the combination of my personality and their upbringing, simply made me to become a spiritual person, but not necessarily a religious person. After all, even my religion has taught me to believe in the oneness of religion and the oneness of humanity. As a spiritual person, I have felt responsible to empower myself and encourage myself to make my own decisions and not to be afraid of questioning life and everything in it. My outlook on life, my curious attitude and appetite for learning has helped me to connect not only with myself, but also with many people and their diverse cultures. As long as I can remember, I have been in touch with my true self which has enabled me to preserve part of the culture I was raised in. The part which, after some questioning and examining, I have decided that is part of my very own culture. If I do not connect deep inside with any part of a culture, I can live without that part. I have tried and still try to stay open hearted and open minded to observe and experience, to judge with a fair attitude, different aspects of other cultures. Then I examine all the information received, not just intellectually but also emotionally and spiritually before I reject or accept them as part of my very own culture. That is the only way I know how to build and create my own belief system, culture or whatever one wants to name it. Hopefully still there is a whole lot more left in me, and a whole lot more left in any culture to offer.

At the end, I strongly believe in the great healing power of prayers and meditation. Prayers are the finest tools for purifying our souls, clearing our thoughts, and soothe our emotions. Prayers comfort us and give us the true peace needed by all of us.

Bahereh

Dec. 1994-Jan. 1995
PA

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“NAMES AND THEIR IMPACTS”

Often one wonders when and how the world has become so name oriented and mainly male based?! Perhaps there was a turning point in the history of the world that has caused this to occur. Nevertheless this claim is true. Here is a listing of some English last names:

- AckerMAN
- AlbertSON
- AnderSON
- CarlSON
- ClarkSON
- DanielSON
- DavidSON
- DonaldSON
- EricSON
- FreeMAN
- GarriSON
- GilbertSON
- GoodMAN
- HarriSON
- HardMAN
- HartMAN
- HeckMAN
- HenderSON
- HeilMAN
- JacobSON
- JackSON
- JohnSON
- NewMAN
- NicholSON
- PeterSON
- RichardSON
- RobinSON
- RobertSON
- SimonSON
- StevenSON
- WilliamSON
- WilSON

And so on.

Strangely enough, many women in the West, have ended up with these last names, given to them at birth (their father’s last name) or by the virtue of marriage (their husband’s last name). Assuming these names for a woman is quite inappropriate, since no woman is a SON of....

Equivalents to these names in the Persian Culture are the following last names associated with a man’s name:

- Hassan Zadeh                                                  /Offspring of Hasan
- Reza         “                                                      /        “         “ Reza
- Youssef     “                                                     /        “         “ Youssef (Joseph)
- Abraheem Zadeh                                           /   “         “ Abraheem (Abraham)
- Mehdi             “                                             /   “         “ Mehdi
- Vahab             “                                            /    “         “ Vahab
- Yaghoub         “                                           /    “         “ Yaghoub (Jacob)
- Elyaas             “                                          /    “         “ Elyaas (Elijah)
- Mozzaffari Nejad                                       / Breed of Mozzafar

Well, these names are not too bad for a woman’s last name. Although one may argue on the subject of fairness as how these “offspring” last names are always in association with a man’s name, and not a woman’s name. Equivalents to these names in the West are names such as:

- Andrews
- Clarks
- Daniels
- Edwards
- Mathews
- Peters
- Rhodes
- Roberts
- Robins
- Rogers
- Simons
- Stevens
- Williams
- Walters

Etc....

The first series of last Persian names given in this article are debatable in their appropriateness for a woman; but what about last names such as:

- SHAHpoor                                                  / King’s (Shah) Son
- AHMADpoor                                              / Ahamd’s Son
- PoorAHMADI                                            / The Son of Ahmad
- PoorRAHIMI                                             / The Son of Rahim
- KARIMpoor                                              / Karim’s Son
- HASSANpoor                                             / Hassan’s Son

Are we not thinking of our daughters when we choose a name (Last name)!

We as Easterners and Westerners alike, have managed to name a majority of our towns and cities after men’s names as well!!!

Here is an example of such places in America and in Iran:

- ALLENtown
- AnderSON
- CLARKSville
- GEORGEtown
- GoodMAN
- JACKSONville
- JAMEStown
- JOHNSONville
- PETERS Valley
- PHILIPSburg

Etc...

- AHMAD Abaad                                         / AHMAD’s Development
- HASSAN Abaad                                        / HASSAN’s Development
- HEIDAR Abaad                                        / HEIDAR’s Development
- RAHMAT Abad                                        / RAHMAT’s Development
- SHAH Abad                                               / SHAH’s Development
- KAREEM Abad                                        / KAREEM’s Development
- YOUSSEF Abad                                        / YOUSSEF’s Development
- ALI Abad                                                   / ALI’s Development

Etc....

Other inappropriate names in our time for most people are:

- Smith
- Cook
- Miller
and...

Perhaps these are appropriate names only if they fit the profession of the individual who carries the name! Obviously, if one searches his/her genealogy, s/he may find out that someone in their family had a profession as such.

Below is some SNACK for Thought, in relation to the subject of the names:

- Why more than often, even towards the end of the 20th Century, many a time when one (male or female) talks to a couple (man & woman), s/he mainly directs the conversation to the man as opposed to the woman?!

- Why is it that when one meets a couple (man & woman) in a jointly owned business, one assumes that the business belongs to the man?! Especially if the woman happens to be from another country. Often if they do not go that far, the treatment is as if the two are Siamese twins! I strongly doubt the sameness even between the Siamese twins.

At the end, I am the first one to admit that I speak English with Persian accent, yet I do believe that I do not write with any accent! How in the world some people manage to read one’s writing with an accent, and let their prejudicial attitude influence their opinion? I do not know the answer to this question, but it certainly does happen.

Maybe, one especially if s/he is a foreigner, should present the very same article which is written by her/him under different names, such as; Bahereh Khodadoost, or Bahereh Khodadoost-Heath, or Barbara Heath. In some places that people do not seem to be very open to anything foreign to them, s/he can pick a more popular name from the area! This exercise can be done just for the sake of curiosity, to explore different responses, and then the truth about the name should be revealed. One might be surprised in the diversity of the responses received!

Bahereh

1997
PA

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NOVA/AVON Once I met a lady who worked for NOVA, she also sold AVON Products! Bahereh Copyright Nov. 1998 PA Dedicated to: Gail Elphick

“Fisherman & Elian”

“Fisherman”

Fisherman, fisherman, I love you,

Fisherman, fisherman, where are you?

Fisherman, fisherman, who are you?!

Fisherman, you are gentle & sweet,

And I do not doubt

You!

Elian’s saviour?!

That is you!

Bahereh

April 23, 2000

Pen Argyl, Pa.

* Written for the fisherman who saved Elian, the Cuban boy, off the Coast of Florida, last Nov. 1999.

“Elian”

Elian, Elian, I love you,

Elian, Elian, where are you?

Elian, Elian, who are you?!

Elian, you are gentle & sweet,

And I do not doubt

You!

Fisherman’s saviour?!

That is you!

Bahereh

April 23, 2000

Pen Argyl, Pa.

* Written for the Elian ‘the Cuban boy, who was saved by the fisherman, off the Coast of Florida, last Nov. 1999.

* Remember the movie ‘Sixth Sense’, who helped who?!

HELL’O’ 'or' HEAVEN’O’?!

DO YOU KNOW WHY IN THE WORLD, THE GREETING WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS: HELL’O’ as opposed to HEAVEN’O’?!

As an Iranian (Persian), or as some of you call us EYErainian, I have wondered, and still do wonder about it. So, please if you have a good answer to the above question, simply send it to Bahereh@wyndows.com or call (610)863-3362. This is just a joke!

Is the origin of the word Hello: Hallo/Halloo/Hollo, or is it simply Hello? If it is Hell’o’, then, my Iranian New Year’s resolution (March 20, 1998, 1377 Iranian Calendar) is to start greeting people by saying Heaven’o’ as opposed to saying Hell’o’! This is also a joke!

Thank You,

Bahereh
March 20,1998 PA

"The Story of my name: Bahereh Khodadoost"

My name is Bahereh Khodadoost. My first name is fairly unusual even in my country, Iran. Bahereh means shiny, clear. My last name is my father’s last name, given to me at birth. Khodadoost is a compound word, consisting of two words, Khoda meaning God, and Doost meaning Friend. The equivalent to this word in English (OLD) is Godfrey. According to The Catholic Encyclopedia, the etymology (origin) of the word “God” is: Anglo-Saxon God; German Gott; akin to Persian khoda; Hindu khooda.

I feel quite comfortable with my name, it fits me just right. When I was very young, I felt somewhat uncomfortable with my first name, Bahereh. I found it not only uncommon, but sort of an old fashion name. Later in life, I felt more & more comfortable with my name, and it suits me just fine, today. My father had chosen the last name, Khodadoost, which means one who loves God. A wonderful name for the ones who know the essence of God. After all, GOD is LOVE, and LOVE does not know any boundaries.

Note: My beloved mother always called me, Bahar which means Spring Season in the Persian language. My dear father always called me, Boori, which means one who is Blond. I used to be blond when I was a child, and I had long hair. My father always admired my golden long hair.

Here is the story of my name:

I was born and raised in Iran. I was raised in a loving, well educated, and open-minded family. My mother was an educated mystic, and very much involved in music, poetry, and literature. My father was a self-made man, and well educated. They both were true humanists who were one of the most honest, trustworthy, loving, compassionate, and well-respected individuals.

The last time I left my country, it was in April 1979. I had graduated from college with a degree in English Literature in early 70’s. I was back to University working on my Master’s degree in Library Science when the Revolution started. I ended up at University of Ga. pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature in Fall 1979. Later on, I studied mainly Art in Missouri, Kansas, and finally in Alfred, New York. I find Art and Poetry inseparable from each other, because they both touch the soul of a human being.

My work is greatly inspired by my life long exposures to diversity, from which I have applied my unified approach. I don’t consider myself purely a Persian artist, but a multi-cultural artist influenced by my background. My work is inspired by my whole life. You find an essence of Persian art & culture in my work, but my work does not present itself as Persian Art. It is a marriage between East and West.

Bahereh Khodadoost March 5, 1998

HEARTizen “My mother, my BEST Friend”

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

May 1999 PA

My mother was certainly my best friend, because although she is not with me physically any more, but I continue feeling her love all around me. An honest, sincere, dear friend, who wished the best, not just for her children, rather for the world at large. She was a true Humanist/ a Peacemaker! Her slogan and her legacy can be summed up in a short phrase, “Hope, Unity, & Love!”. She healed the world with these peaceful weapons.

My mother was a true HEARTizen!

May the lasting memories of our beloved mothers & fathers stay with us forever.

I thought you may like to read the short article that I wrote in memory of my beloved mother. She was a mystic, and a true HEARTizen, believe me. I miss her dearly.

Ode to My Mother

HEARTizen “My mother, my BEST Friend”

By: Bahereh Khodadoost May 1999 PA

My mother was certainly my best friend, because even after over 10 years after her leaving for the side beyond, she still has stayed as my best friend. An honest, sincere, dear friend, who wished the best, not just for her children, rather for the world at large. She was a true Humanist, she was the embodiment of Love, Passion, Compassion, Peace, Understanding, & Wisdom. She healed the world with these peaceful weapons. Her long lasting memories have been cherished by me, and by any one who had the privilege of knowing her. It is her memories that have sustained me until today, and had provided me with the right tools, to follow and continue her tireless effort of bringing some peace and understanding to the world at large. Her slogan and her legacy can be summed up in a short phrase, “Hope, Unity, & Love!” These three words were what she breathed as long as she lived. She read, and she wrote many love songs, and spread them all around, and let its mysterious source of energy travel as far as it could possibly go. Her lasting memories once again convince me of her sincere belief in the essence of FRIENDSHIP, and Friendliness. May we all follow in her path, and continue with the legacy that she, along with the other peacemakers of the world have left for us.

Her lasting memories and her legacies have given me energy, faith, and hope. My deepest desire is to be able to share, and to pass on, a portion of my mother’s love to my daughter, Sienna Mae, and let the wonderful phenomenon of the Elixir of Love flow as long as Eternity. It is positive, it is beautiful, and once it is released, it has the power to heal the world.

**********

If any body deserves to have a Certificate of HEARTizenship, it is my mother. So, my dearest, beloved mother, below is a Certificate of HEARTizenship issued just for you:

Certificate of HEARTizenship

HEART, HEARTizen, & HEARTizenship!

I, the artist, Bahereh the Mama HEARTizen,

must declare that ‘U’ ‘R’ a TRUE HEARTizen!

This certificate is issued just for ‘U’!

“Only a HEARTizen can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

Website: www.HEARTizen.com

Today is as if I am being transported back in time. Today is another Mother’s Day.

May the lasting memories of our beloved mothers & fathers stay with us forever.

I thought you might like to read the short article that I wrote in memory of my beloved mother. She was a mystic, and a true HEARTizen, believe me. I miss her dearly.

Bahereh Sunday, May 11^th, 2003

“Another Ode, Another Ballad to my beloved Mother, A True Heatizen!”

Happy Mother’s Day Mum!

Another mother’s day is upon us, and I, Bahereh, the mother of a 13 years old girl, Sienna Mae, am celebrating another mother’s day as a MotherLess Mother.

I can’t believe that I just said what I said. How can I be a motherless mother? Never!

I do not wish to dwell on my mother’s death, rather I would like to turn my focus from her physical death, and to turn my focus on the Celebration of her beautiful Life. I absolutely must Celebrate Her Life!

For 42 years of my life, I had a mother, then at the age of 43, I became a mother. (I turned 43, one day after my daughter Sienna Mae was born. She was born on Oct. 10/ 1989, and I was born on Oct. 11/1946). Then a month and a half later, I lost my mother, and I became motherless, but I stayed a mother, the mother of my daughter, Sienna Mae who is 13 years of age now, but she is going on 17!

Fair or unfair, this is what happened in my life, and I learned this lesson that truly It is the Circle that Unites Us All.

No doubt, my mother’s gentle BEAT is still resonating through my life.

I remember last time I heard (truly heard) my mother’s heart beating. It was shortly before I left Iran. For some reason that night I slept in the same room with her. In the middle of the night the sound of her heart beating so loudly woke me up!!! It was hard on me at the time, but now looking back on it, it was a privilege.

I still remember the day I left home (Iran). She followed me to the door and kept a happy face. Once her tears started rolling down her cheeks, she gently entrusted me to God and said good-bye. She turned her loving face away from me to hide her tears and went inside the house. She was so kind that she did not want to bring any sadness in me. Remembering that scene has always brought tears to my eyes, it was very emotional. Now I have absolutely no control over my tears of gratitude.

On Nov. 25^th, 1989, my beautiful mother, a true HEARTizen died in her sleep. (Oddly enough, when I was a teen-ager, one late Summer afternoon, I took a nap, and I dreamed of my mother’s death, lying on the bed under a checkered board reddish blanket, I pushed the blanket off her face, and I found her gone! This dream woke me up, I was soaked in sweat, and my face was drenched in my tears. I never spoke of this dream to any body.) Now, on Nov. 25^th, 1989, she was gone for real, and unfortunately this time it was not a dream. I kept on hoping for it to be a dream, hoping to be awaken by this realization that it was nothing but a dream, but this wish was never going to come true. So, I learned to accept the reality of her physical passing. It was as if the cage of her body opened up, and she opened her wings and flew away. Her flight broke my wings, but with the passing of time, I feel that my wings are healed, and it is time for me to open my wings, and fly, and experience the ultimate joy, and the ultimate meaning in life.

How can I even fathom to say that she, my beloved mother, is not in my life any more. As a matter of fact she is in my life more than ever before. How can I deny this fact that my mother was certainly my best friend, and she continues to be a dear friend. An honest, sincere, dear friend, who wished the best, not just for her children, rather for the world at large. She was a true Humanist, she was the embodiment of Love, Passion, Compassion, Peace, Understanding, & Wisdom. She healed the world with these peaceful weapons. Her long lasting memories have been cherished by me, and by any one who had the privilege of knowing her.

It is her memories that have sustained me until today, and have provided me with the right tools, to follow and continue her tireless effort of bringing some peace and understanding to the world at large. Her slogan and her legacy can be summed up in a short phrase, “Hope, Unity, & Love!” These three words were what she breathed as long as she lived. She read, and she wrote many love songs, and spread them all around, and let its mysterious source of energy travel as far as it could possibly go. Her lasting memories once again convince me of her sincere belief in the essence of FRIENDSHIP, and Friendliness. May we all follow in her path, and continue with the legacy that she, along with the other peacemakers of the world have left for us.

Her lasting memories and her legacies has given me energy, faith, and hope. My deepest desire is to be able to share, and to pass on, a portion of my mother’s love to my daughter, Sienna Mae, and let the wonderful phenomenon of the Elixir of Love flow as long as Eternity. It is positive, it is beautiful, and once it is released, it has the power to heal the world.

Bahereh (610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

“Touched by an ANGEL”

Blessing of my Home & My New Born Baby Girl, Sienna Mae

SHE Was There!

When my daughter was still an infant, and shortly after the sudden passing of my beloved mother, I had this EXPERIENCE! The year must have been 1990, and around Springtime. The location was our rock house in a small village, called: Ginger Blue, Missouri.

I experienced something very unusual. I remember one night, early dawn, still in bed & half asleep, I felt the presence of my mother in my home! It was like as if an ANGEL was at work, and she was floating all around my house. I felt, and I saw it going all around the house and touching everything! What woke me up was the sound of the door opening and closing, and then the sound of her footsteps on the steps by my bed room. She had a greenish dress on with subtle designs, that I remember her wearing it in real life as well. The steps were leading to the lower part of my yard, heading towards the studio, and the highway. Her Mission Was Accomplished, and She was Leaving! I jumped out of my bed, and I looked out in hope of catching a glimpse of her! But alas, alas, she was gone!

Yet I was certain of her being in my home, and I knew that she had come to my home. Not just a figment of my imagination, rather her actual physical being had come to my house. I could feel that her physical presence had been in my house. I felt, and was certain that she made it to my house to BLESS My HOUSE/HOME, and to BLESS My CHILD. I could see that in My Little Girl’s Eyes afterward! I could see my mother’s eyes looking back at me through Sienna Mae’s eyes for quite some time!

You as the reader of this article do not have to believe me, I know what I experienced and that is good enough for me. I do not need anybody’s approval, nor do I look for anybody else’s answer. I know what is REAL, and what Is Not, and that experience was as REAL as any experience that I have ever had in my life!

She Blessed my home and filled me once again in her everlasting LOVE! I was wrapped in her never-ending LOVE once again! And at last, my daughter Sienna Mae had a chance to be touched by her, and to experience her gentle LOVE!

THANK YOU MY DEAREST MOTHER, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I LOVE You MOM more than ever!

Bahereh Khodadoost

Copyright Spring 1990

An Unexpected Visitor! A Christmas Story!

Touched by an Angel, again, but this time it was a Fairy!

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

Jan. 2000 Pen Argyl, PA

It was Thursday Jan. 27th, 2000, when finally we decided to take the Christmas tree down. Sienna Mae’s on-going concern about our way of doing things such as keeping the Christmas tree up much longer than others had to come to an end, so it did! It was done in a tactful way, that one must go on with his or her life based on his/her inner voice, and not to conform to what others do or may say. Therefore the TREE was left somewhat longer than most people leave theirs, but not way too long.

Any way, on Thursday Jan. 27th, 2000, there was 2 hours school delay, I told Sienna that if she helped me to take the ornaments down, when Walter gets home for his brief lunch break, we will take the tree out of the house, and we did! Walter left for work to Karl & Gail (our friends & neighbors), and I came back inside the house to clean up what was left on the living room floor. I was cleaning the windowsill while looking at my prism by the window projecting the most wonderful, beautiful luscious Rainbows all around the room in the bright Sunshine of the day, when my fingers touched something ALIVE! It was a delicate beautiful light creamy yellowish butterfly! It touched my soul deep, deep inside and gave me a wonderful feeling of HOPE. I took it as a sign of good fortune in my Life, and especially in the Life of my family which includes Walter and Sienna Mae.

I felt that I was visited by my beloved mother, Once Again! We don’t know where this butterfly in the middle of the Snowy Cold Winter had come from. It really does not matter to me if it was hatched inside the Christmas Tree that was left longer than what it is considered the normal length of time, or it came from somewhere else. All that matters to me is this fact that there is always a MYSTERIOUS CONNECTION, and this BUTTERFLY had a MESSAGE for me, and the message was: Bahereh! Don’t Despair! Don’t loose hope, the Love of your beloved mother, like a gentle breeze is with you, always.

The butterfly’s delicacy & its wings opening by the touch of my fingers was like a messenger of Love & Hope.

I felt liberated, and I spread the glad tidings to the rest of my family as soon as I could.

REJOICE!

Bahereh Jan. 2000 Pen Argyl, Pa.

P.S. I named this butterfly, ‘PURITY’.

I believe in the unity, beauty, purity, and the universality of the Rainbow & the Butterfly, and what they represent. I believe that we are all connected to Nature; we share its forms, shapes, colors, textures, and its essence/ its spirits, FLIGHT!

Note: The butterfly ‘PURITY’ lived only for a few days. She lived until the morning of Feb. 1/2000. She was found dead on the living-room floor. It appeared that she died as a result of natural death, and later someone had stepped on her, we think! Now, her broken wings live in a small clear container with a twist top.

“A GREEN BALL OF LIGHT”

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

Bahereh

“GOD’S WELCOMING PARTY”

Feb. 10, 1990, early in the morning. I woke up and recalled the following dream I had about my dear mother whom I lost on Nov. 1989.

I woke up. For the first time since the passing of my beloved mother, which was extremely hard on me, I found a large measure of peace in me, so hard to describe.

Bahereh Khodadoost

“My Parents’ Abodes in Heaven”

Dec. 5, 1995 PA

This morning, I feel comforted and not fearful. It was a reassuring feeling.

Bahereh Khodadoost

Pen Argyl, PA

More Memories:

BRAIDED CLAY PIECES:

If my BRAIDED CLAY PIECES & basket forms are considered PIECES OF ART, then what about all of those fancy hairdos I have sculpted and continue sculpting in my life?! And what about all the fancy BREAD & BRAIDED COFFEE CAKES I have made and I continue making?!

Every time I look at my braided clay pieces, they take me all the way back to my very childhood, to my long blondish hair that my dear mother, my dear paternal grandmother, and my dear older sister, Tahereh, used to care for, and braid it in so many different styles. Later on, I learned to fix, and braid my own hair in various styles. Later in life, I even became a hairstylist, and cared for many other peoples’ hair, and fixed hair in many fancy styles.

Now, I fix my own daughter’s hair (Sienna Mae) in many different styles, hoping to pass on to her the LOVE of the ones in my family who cared for me. In this way their LOVE may continue flowing from one generation to the next, and the world may become a better place!

I even BRAID my BREADS!

I even BRAID my RIBBONS for jewelry!

I just LOVE to BRAID!

Bahereh

PINCHED CLAY PIECES/ SHAKERS :

If my CLAY PIECES ADORNED WITH RHYTHMIC SMALL PINCHES are considered WORKS OF ART, then what about all of those tasty pastries my beloved mother & my dear maternal grandmother used to make exactly in the shapes of these clay pieces?! In fact, it was my beloved mother who taught me to shape the pastry with simple, flowing, rhythmic and uniform pinches around the pastry dough!

The pastries she made were called: Ghotaab, and Kolompeh.

Every time I look at THESE CLAY PIECES of mine, they remind me of my parents’ kitchen. I smell the aroma of those wonderful pastries, and I taste their mouth watering delicious flavours in my mouth! Then, I promise myself that as soon as I get a chance I go to my kitchen, and I make a batch of those pastries for my dear daughter, Sienna Mae, to pass on the tradition and the special Love that my mother brought to this world, to the Next Generation!

Bahereh

BEING AN ARTIST IS JUST AN ATTITUDE, SO, BE AN ARTIST: HAVE AN ATTITUDE!

Bahereh Nov. 1998 PA

BRAIDED CLAY PIECES:

If my BRAIDED CLAY PIECES & basket forms are considered PIECES OF ART, then what about all of those fancy hairdos I have sculpted and continue sculpting in my life?! And what about all the fancy BREAD & BRAIDED COFFEE CAKES I have made and I continue making?!

I even BRAID my BREADS!

I even BRAID my RIBBONS for jewelry!

I just LOVE to BRAID!

Bahereh

BEING AN ARTIST IS JUST AN ATTITUDE, SO, BE AN ARTIST: HAVE AN ATTITUDE! Bahereh Nov. 1998 PA

PINCHED CLAY PIECES/ SHAKERS :

The pastries she made were called: Ghotaab, and Kolompeh.

Bahereh

DILL

Dill from my garden in Pen Argyl, Pa. 1998

The aroma, the heavenly smell, and the beauty of this herb ‘DILL’ takes me all the way back to my childhood, to my grandmother, and to my mother whom with the utmost love and care prepared those tasty Persian rice dishes for the family, esp. the one with this herb has always stayed as my favorite.

Lentil sprouts

Lentil sprouts remind me of all the wonderful Iranian (Persian) New Year’s I spent in my country, Iran.

It brings all the fine memories back to me. I smell the fresh air I have breathed there for so many years.

Bahereh

This LEAF

I see my veins & the Veins of Humanity in this leaf.

Its green color reminds me of all the beautiful gardens, all the woods all over the world, and the beauty of my daughter’s eyes.

This leaf is taken from my daughter’s apple tree.

Bahereh

This Apple Blossom

This apple blossom represents all the beautiful blossoms in the world. It is taken from my daughter’s apple tree.

It reminds me of all the buds ready to bloom inside our characters.!

Bahereh

Lentil & Wheat sprouts

Lentil & wheat sprouts remind me of all the wonderful Iranian (Persian) New Year’s I spent in my country, Iran.

It brings all the fine memories back to me. I smell the fresh air I have breathed there for so many years.

Bahereh

“The Story of the Giving Apple Tree”

By: Bahereh

Nov. 2000 Pen Argyl, PA

Nov. 7, 2000 Pen Argyl, PA

Dear …& …-

Just a friendly note: We (Bahereh & Walter) do understand that the building and the yard is yours and you can do with it as you please. You can pull out the flowers such as Morning Glories, Sunflowers, etc... and perhaps consider them as weeds, but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT PULL OUT SIENNA MAE HEATH’s APPLE TREE ‘Pristine’ that she so lovingly has planted in the yard nearly 5 1/2 years ago. This Apple Tree is not only

‘Sienna Mae’s Apple Tree! It is Any Child’s Tree!’

It symbolizes & represents every child, every human being on the face of our wonderful planet: Earth! Its plenitude & its delicious apples, once again represents all the children who are the hope of the future & who can be as giving and as generous as this apple tree.

Enjoy the Apples!

With Best Regards,

Bahereh, Walter, and Sienna Mae

P.S. Nov. 2001- This Apple Tree was pruned by the owners of the studio building last Fall / Fall 2000. Spring 2001 came and went, and then came Summer 2001, yet this Generous Apple Tree did not bear not even one Apple! Why?! I don’t know, perhaps lack of LOVE contributed to its lack of bearing fruit! Love, Bahereh

****************************************************************************************

“Born Again Apple Tree!”

The saga continues:

Here is the story of the Revival of Sienna Mae’s Apple Tree:

Sometime during the month of March 2002, we witnessed some commotion around our old studio, and we started witnessing children playing around, we were Glad that perhaps the energy exuding from these children may bring the Abundant Apple Tree back to Life. The place became the house for a Karate class, and to our delight the energy of the children started bringing the apple tree back to life, it started growing more branches, and more leaves. Thanks God the tree was on its way to recovery!

Today is May 21, 2002 Pen Argyl, PA - From Thursday May 16th-Sunday May 19th, I was gone for a short trip to AZ to visit with my dear ailing sister, Tahirih. I got back to Newark Airport on Sunday evening where Walter and Sienna Mae were awaiting me. We came home that night, on our way to our house we passed by our old Studio which is only one block down from our house. I noticed that the Apple Tree was half way cut, WHY? Who knows! I guessed that perhaps they are getting ready to cut the tree down!!! I mentioned it to Walter and Sienna Mae who was openly upset over the tree being half cut. Then yesterday morning, I realized some workers being on our old studio driveway and working on the neighbors’ roof. This morning, I saw them working again, then a while later, I looked through the window, and I noticed something on the ground resembling the Apple Tree. I did not waste any time, I put my shoes on and walked down to the studio driveway. I stopped there with my heart in my throat, in disbelief I realized that my prediction was correct. The beautiful healthy half-cut apple tree was now laying down on the ground. I approached one of the workers who was on the ground floor, and I said: Are you throwing this tree away?! He said, Yes. I did not waste a moment and I said: Can I take it. He looked at me and said: YES, but can you take it. I said: I am sure I can. Then I hauled the Apple Tree with great difficulty up the hill to our yard. I was filled with emotions, and also completely out of breath. Then I sat there and I cried outloud. I was filled with sadness, emotions and the joy of rescuing the tree!!! What is my plan?! The tree is still freshly uprooted, so I am planning to re-plant it in our yard here at our house. And give it some miracle grow of LOVE, and I have no doubt that it will bear fruit again!

Perhaps one may think that the scene of my hauling the tree up the hill would make a good video for “America’s Funniest People” Show on TV! I don’t think so! It was simply a love scene if you wish. A mother’s love, and an act of humanity and humility, trying to change an act of ingratitude towards nature to an act of gratitude. I simply honored the Apple Tree, that’s all!

Bahereh

P.S. And we did it! We planted the Apple Tree around 4:30 P.m. right after Walter came home. Rest assured, It will bear fruit!

Bahereh Pen Argyl, PA (610)863-3362

E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

Oct. 10th/ 2002 9:03 am Pen Argyl, PA!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Oh My God! It ‘s 9:03 am, you are coming out!! , Yes! You are born again!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a beautiful little red-headed girl! I name you the most beautiful name I can think of:

SIENNA MAE !!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Happy Birthday from your Mummy Bahereh who loves you very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, much!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):)

‘U’ give me ENERGY

From: US the parents!

To: ‘U’, Sienna Mae, the Child!

The Magic of our life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

‘U’ ‘R’ the Magic of our lives!

On Oct. 10th, 1989 something magical happened in our life! A little Red-Headed girl, Sienna Mae was born!

On Tuesday, Oct. 10th, 1989, in a bright Sunny day, exactly at 8:03 Central time, a Fairy was born in Gravette, Arkansas! Her name was Sienna Mae!

We Love you very much!

Happy Birthday x 13 times!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* Don’t forget to look at the clock at 9:03 AM, today!

Love always,

Mum Bahereh & Daad

Oct. 10th, 2002

Pen Argyl, PA

The Unity Dream

The Two Guardian Angels

The Dream of Bahereh & Walter

It was June 12, 1999, and the day was Saturday, when I woke up in the morning, recalling the following dream. I told my husband, Walter Heath, about it. As I was telling him my dream, his eyes opened up, and he said that do you know what is so weird about it?! I said: What?! He said that he just had a dream the very same night with a very similar implication! Here is my dream, and his will follow right after mine, and it is from what I remember him telling me, this morning.

In my dream, I was in a place, resembling a business-like situation. I was with my husband, and my daughter, Sienna Mae. There were a few other people there, such as my new friend, Kerry the architect, and a young girl, perhaps around 12 years of age. I thought that this girl was related to Kerry. We were lined up, getting ready to play a game as a trial. Then I realized that we were supposed to spent the night there. Walter and Sienna, were to stay in one room. I asked Kerry if I can stay in their quarters, and he okayed it. I went inside the building, it was not that impressive. As I continued to follow the hallway, the place started looking less & less impressive. I came along a section that had lots of masking tape on the walls and on the floors, having a look of an area that is getting ready to be painted, or was in the process of being painted. Yet, I could not see anybody working there. It started feeling somewhat eerie, since I could not find my designated room, and it appeared that the hallway was not taking me anywhere, and it was going round and round. Then I came across a large open door, like a college/school door, a door to the outside/inside of a building. I decided to go outside. That was when I found myself out in an area, a place that was out of this world. The atmosphere was serene, the air was fresh, the sky was blue, with lots of trees that were placed in a landscaped heavenly configurations, ground that was carpeted with luscious grass, with no living soul around. It was an open area, with rolling hills, I could see out in the distance. I was walking on the pathway that was leading to a bridge, and the road was turning. Right before I reached to the turning point, I decided to stop, since I was not sure where this road was going to take me. That was when

Right before my eyes, a Beautiful Male Deer With large antlers appeared. It had the most wonderful dark brownish color. It was as gentle as it could be, and had the most graceful movements that one can imagine. I did not know the significance of the appearance of the deer, and I was not sure if I should get very close to him, or not. I approached him gently, yet carefully. He came as close to me as I thought was possible. I touched his body, and I felt his back. At first I thought that he may harm me with his large antlers, but shortly after that I realized that he was harmless. My touching him, felt wonderful to me, and it touched my soul.

I said to myself in the dream (as if I was actually there, and that part of my dream was not a dream) that nobody can believe this, this is like a dream!

Then I went back inside, and followed the hallway to NOWHERE, or at least it appeared to be a hallway to nowhere, it certainly was turning around & around. I found another door, similar to the first one, that opened up to another open area. I was pulled back out. It was very similar to the first one, and I knew that was out of this world. I could not see the DEER this time. And my dream ended at that.

When I got to the part of the dream in relation with the DEER, Walter said:

Do you know what is so weird? I said: What? He said: I just had a dream last night, that I was in a wooden area, with lots of trees, all of a sudden this Female Deer appeared before my very eyes. Then, my husband said that the deer came as close to his face as possible, with her nose almost touching his face. Walter said that he reached out and touched her. He said he was able to touch her, almost the same way the he touches our cat, Daisy. Then, he recalled that he felt the DEER’s gentleness, and the wonderful feeling that he experienced as a result of touching the DEER.

At this point, we both looked at each other, no words were necessary. We both felt the significance of these particular dreams, that we had by coincidence, the very same night. No! There is no such a thing as coincidence. Only it appears that things happens by accident, there is always an order, perhaps it can be called a DIVINE ORDER!

The DEER were US, appearing in our dreams in the appropriate gender, and we are each other's soul-mates & guardian angels!

We both felt relieved from our apparent never-ending anxiety in our daily life, which had intensified in the recent weeks. I could feel a great deal of peace that had entered MY SOUL, and I could feel it just as much in my husband’s SOUL!

Bahereh Khodadoost

Pen Argyl, PA

Bahereh (610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

“I was Elevated!/ We Were Elevated!”

A Dream

Last night, I had a dream, a wonderful dream. I had dreamed that I was inside the studio, talking to this nice lady that had come to see us. She was very kind, she had a dark complexion, she was of short stature, and she had a dark drab color outfit on. Her overall look resembled my dear sister, Tahirih. Walter was standing near by, overlooking the whole conversation, the lady handed me a piece of paper and said something like, remember that this is only 30% of it! Then she got up to leave. We (Walter & I) followed her to the door. Walter stood behind, by the studio door, and I continued walking with her, up the driveway. I saw a CURTAIN OF RAIN, I could see every strand of the rain, it looked beautiful. Behind it, was a tall lady, with a good presence (large, but not fat), with a light brown hair color, fair complexion, dressed in a peachy hot pink dress, she was crossing the street, approaching our studio driveway. She came across as someone bold, in a sarcastic tone of voice, she said to the other lady that it was not a bad idea if umbrellas were invented, meaning where is your umbrella?! It was here when I said: OOOOOOOOH! As this exclamation came out of my mouth, I started ELEVATING, and then the other two ladies started being lifted off their feet, and I found myself SWINGING while still being elevated! It was a wonderful feeling, yet somewhat strange. I said to myself that I can’t believe that I did that!

Then, I saw Walter approaching me, and I said to him, did you see that?! Then I asked him if I overdid it? And with a smile on his face, he said that he thinks that I showed too much of myself!

I woke up!

Bahereh

Jan. 15/2000 Pen Argyl, Pa.

Note: In my dream when I found myself ELEVATED, I could no longer see the CURTAIN OF RAIN. I could see the wet ground & the air that had the feel & the smell of the after rain.

P.S.

On Jan. 15, we were invited to Michael Christensen’s Birthday party. There, I saw Marja, and I described my dream. Her explanation was wonderful. She said that Rain/ water symbolizes purification and CLEANSING. The pink dress symbolizes LOVE. Being ELEVATED and SWINGING is positive, and it represents ENERGY. It is my energy, my love that I give to people. Then, she looked at me, and she said: Continue with what you are doing.

Next day, Dennis, an artist and a mystic man that we met that night, came to our studio, to Dr. King Day /Peace Celebration. Somehow we got into the topic of my dream. He said that the curtain of rain represents: CONSCIOUSNESS. And the Pink color relates to the Throat Chakra. I am passed the Heart chakra, and I should work on the intellect chakra.

Note: In my dream when I found myself ELEVATED, I could no longer see the CURTAIN OF RAIN. I could see the wet ground & the air that had the feel & the smell of the after rain.

May the lasting memories of our beloved mothers & fathers stay with us forever.

Ode to my mother- in- law, Lucy Eleanor Bishop/ Heath

April 27, 1922- Jan. 27, 2002

There was a butterfly inside of you that was never emerged. Now you are free. I love you and I always remember you. You had and continue having a special place in my heart. Love, Bahereh March 2002 Pen Argyl, PA

Bahereh Pen Argyl, PA (610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

After the Cornish Gathering in Pen Argyl, Pa.

Gentle Breezes of Cornwall: John, Faith, & Erin Cole

Our Three Cornish Friendship Knots:

Aug. 3rd, 1999- I (Bahereh) am writing these few lines shortly after our dear friends’ (John, Faith, and Erin) departure back to England.

All Three of you came to our lives (Bahereh, Walter, and our 9 years old daughter, Sienna Mae) like GENTLE BREEZES, and you left us just the same. Your butterfly-like wings of spirit touched our lives, and gave us a life anew. We did not know you until almost two weeks ago, we only knew you as cyber friends, which was a relationship developed over a year ago, mainly between John & Walter. You came to our lives like a breath of a fresh air, light and pure. You came to us as if we knew you for a long time, and you were as kind, as friendly and as thoughtful as you could be. You blessed our studio, and you blessed our home with your wondrous music that I am listening to as I am writing these few lines. I am listening to the audio-tape of your music that you so kindly gave to us as a gift, called: OMLATHORYON. The way both of you, Faith and John play, touches my soul deep inside. We truly enjoyed your company, and we cherish your friendships as long as we live, and we look forward to seeing you again.

Part of me wishes that I would have never known you, by that I mean that then I wouldn’t have to miss you so much.

Today, right after you left, we all came inside our studio, played the ‘OMLATHORYON’ audio-tape, while in tears, we did a circle step-dance, a dance of joy of knowing you, and a dance of sadness of your leaving.

It is the circle that unites us all!

We LOVE you, and we are glad & feel blessed that you touched our lives.

GOOD NEIGHBOR

I feel blessed!

Today is Oct. 11th/ 2002, my birthday, and I would like to give myself a gift. I have lived in Pen Argyl for over 10 years, and I have lived in the same house for all these years. My Good Neighbor is Mrs. Veronica Edwards. She was born in the house that I live, and after knowing her, I feel that my house is truly blessed by this lady’s beautiful soul and energy. She speaks the Universal language of Love! She is kind, compassionate, sincere, loving, generous, a dear friend, a true humanist, and without any trace of prejudice. She had showered me, my husband, and especially our daughter with her gentle kindness, year after year, and continues to do so. I had the honor of being this lady’s neighbor, and I am indeed lucky to live so near such a beautiful soul. Mrs. Edwards teaches some little life nugget that shapes one’s life. She does not preach, rather she lives it. She has a calming influence on people who had the privilege of knowing her. May we all follow in her path.

She is a HEARTizen!

Bahereh, Oct. 11^th, 2002

Ode to Hedda Martin

Hedda Martin passed away on Dec. 10th, 2000, at her home in Pen Argyl, PA.

I did not know Hedda , until a few years ago, when I started taking my daughter ‘Sienna Mae’ to choir lessons ‘Keystone Girls Choir’ in this area. I noticed an elderly lady bringing a few children to class. The children were ranging from the age 3 up to the age of 10. Four girls, and one boy who was the youngest. Four of the children were from African American background, and there was one girl who one may consider as white. As it turned out all of these children were children with serious illnesses which needed constant attention and care. And as I learned later on, two of the children, Amanda & Ciera were her adopted children, and the other three were foster kids, yet she treated them all with the ultimate care, love, and discipline.

I have seen many photographs of her two adopted children, and other children whom Hedda and her late husband so lovingly have taken care of, over the years. There was one picture of her late husband holding Baby Amanda in his arms that stands out in my mind, the way he was looking at the baby filled with love and compassion. These children were all well taken care of, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. My knowing Hedda for a little over two years and witnessing her way of living, is a testimony to this claim.

Hedda Martin was a remarkable woman. She was an old woman, yet she was quite alive. She was quite witty and alert. She showed interest in what was happening in the world. She was a woman of strength, a woman of great compassion, with her wings spread over her adopted children as well as her foster kids, and over anyone who crossed her path. My family were among these people. What an opportunity to meet her, and to get to know her and her children. Amanda & Ciera have a very special place in my/our heart(s), and the three foster children that we got to know were: Tiffany, Kadedra, and the youngest one NOEL whose smile brightened the room and the sound of his energetic laughter filled the air.

I never forget Hedda’s last visit to our studio in Pen Argyl. It was late Oct. shortly before the closing of the studio after over 7 years, I came out of the studio and to my complete surprise I saw Hedda, who was supposed to be very ill, was walking down the studio driveway! She came inside, sat down, and poured her heart out. She told us about her recent experience at the hospital, and some of her difficulties, always with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. Her main concerns were: Amanda & Ciera, her two adopted children. She wanted to know if we could take Amanda & Ciera to their orchestra practice once a week, which my husband willingly accepted to do, and he did.

I knew Hedda for a little over 2 years, what a privilege which I am truly grateful for that. She was a unique individual whom will be missed by any one who had the opportunity to know her.

We will miss her dearly.

May she rest in peace. And may her bird of spirit soar to its highest.

Bahereh Dec. 2000 Pen Argyl, Pa.

P.S. On Friday Dec. 15, 2000, we (Walter, Bahereh, and Sienna Mae) went to Hedda Martin’s Memorial Service at the Old Moravian Chapel in Bethlehem, Pa. All the 5 children were there! It was wonderful to see them all together, and we could easily witness the result of Hedda’s effort, the Unity among the children which was quite present.

I noticed a tall narrow arch door at the end of the room, where the alter was. I said to myself: I wonder who is going to come through this door, perhaps the pastor! Just right before the Memorial service started, the two gentlemen ‘Pastors’ walked down the aisle, all of a sudden the arch door slowly opened, WALTER & I LOOKED AT EACH OTHER! WE BOTH KNEW WHAT THE OTHER ONE WAS THINKING! Hedda had walked through the door and sat next to the children ‘Amanda & Ciera, Tiffany, Kadedra, and the youngest one NOEL ! That’s what we felt! And it felt just right!

When the arch door opened, it felt that something came inside! then, one of the Pastors closed the door gently.

Ode to Joe Kirk

I did not know Joe, until a few years ago, when he moved to our neighborhood from Florida. He was my neighbor friend’s father.

Joe was a nice fellow, witty & funny. He used to stop by our studio (Ginger Blue Studio of the Arts), and visit with us. We enjoyed his company. He and my husband, Walter, used to crack jokes and make each other laugh, and make the rest of us laugh with them.

He used to tell me that I make him cry just because I would remembered his birthday! His answer to my surprise was: Why do you send me Birthday Cards?! Why do you bring me gifts?! My answer was always the same: WHY NOT!

He was an old man, yet he was quite alive. He showed interest in what was happening in the area. He enjoyed recording the events by taking pictures. He took a wonderful picture of the Town Hall while going through renovation. One day, he stopped at our studio, and brought us a picture taken by him of our studio sign. I displayed it in our studio, and I will cherish it forever. That was how he showed his appreciation and kindness to us as his neighbors and as the members of this community, and we are grateful for having known him.

We will miss him dearly. We miss not seeing him passing by our studio while on his walk from or to his house. We miss him not visiting us during his routine walks, and his stopping at our studio.

I remember him stopping by our studio, nearly six months ago. His grandchildren, Heather & Vanessa Elphick were at our studio. They along with our daughter, Sienna Mae put on a wonderful Mini-Concert for him. They sang many joyful songs, Christmas songs & more, which made his heart happy. I could see a big smile on his face. Then he put his hand in his pocket and rewarded all three of the girls with some money. Come to think about it, that was the last time that he visited us at the studio.

May he rest in peace.

Bahereh Dec. 1999 Pen Argyl, Pa.

Bahereh’s Diary, March 27th-April 1, 2002

Wed. night, March 27th, WE (Bahereh, Walter, and Sienna Mae) ARE HERE! Here is Pen Argyl, PA. Tomorrow morning, Walter & Sienna Mae are leaving for Tulsa for a few days to Walter's Mother's funeral service. They are due back to Pennsylvania Monday night (April Fool’s Day!). I feel uneasy, I feel strange to be home without either one of them. This is the very first time since they both have come to my life for me to be away from both of them at the same time.

Thurs. morning, March 28th, 2002: We made it to ABE Airport at 8am, and I came back home right away. The house feels empty, what a strange feeling. But don’t forget I am not Panicky/ paniKEY, because I have my KEY around my neck! I have a lot to do, lots of work, lots of carving and clay work too. But the more I work, the more I realize how silent this place is! Despite the fact that I am playing my CDs constantly! I already miss them, I wish them a good and safe trip, but I want them back soon.

Thursday morning, March 28th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much. Highlight of the day: I carved a HEARTizen and made a few clay pieces.

Thursday Night, March 28th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more.

Friday morning, March 29th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more. I carved another HEARTizen, and made a few clay pieces.

Friday Night, March 29th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more.

Sat. morning, March 30th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more. I made quite a few clay pieces quietly! And I saw GRACE mowing the lawn!!! And Karyn came over for a little while.

Sat. Night, March 30th, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more. Daisy, Jasmine and I, we all had Tuna for dinner!!!

Sun. morning, March 31st, 2002: Happy Easter! I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more. I made more clay pieces. I was invited by Suzanne and Joe to go to brunch with them, I declined.

Sun. Night, March 31st, 2002: I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! My dear Walter & Sienna Mae, I love you both, and I miss you both very much, and a little more.

Monday morning, April 1st, 2002: : I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! Happy April Fool’s Day! I fooled you! I don’t love you, and I don’t miss you, and a little more! This is your April Fool’s Day Present!

It is shortly after 3am, and the two cats namely Daisy & Jasmine woke me up! They turned my small ETERNITY table over (Now it is not ETERNITY any more, rather it is BROKEN ETERNITY which is a NEW BEGINNING!, I am only joking because this table due to the previous abuses in the past was already broken), and made a big bang! I was afraid that my next door neighbor you know who who is not very pleasant may come to my door and get upset with me. I ended up putting MR. DAISY in the basement, and Jasmine is sitting next to the fish-tank and dreaming about my five NoRouz goldfish!

Now that the cats woke me up, they both decided to go back to sleep!

Mid-day Monday, April 1st, 2002: Bettina called me this morning. I am going to their house around 6pm tonight. I’ll come to the airport from there, to pick you up. And you just called me, too! Have a safe trip my dearest HEARTizens! And I can’t wait until I’ll see you tonight!

Monday Night, April 1st, 2002: Yea! : I AM HERE! And YOU ARE NOT! YOU ARE THERE! But YOU WILL BE HERE, SHORTLY, and we will go back to our routine slogan of WE ARE HERE!!!

This is to my two HEARTizens!!! OXOXOX

“Only a HEARTizen can heal the world!”

And you are ONE!

Be a HEARTizen, Have a dual Citizenship!

Love, Your Mommy and your wife/ friend, Bahereh

P.S. Sunday, March 31st, Today is the 12th day of NoRouz, I am sitting here all by myself. Tomorrow is the 13 Bedar, we usually go to a park near us, and put the Sabzees in the river, but tomorrow I will do this without Walter and Sienna Mae, or I just wait until Tues. and make it 14 Bedar!

“The Story of MY BIG FAT CLOWNISH PERSIAN NOSE!!!:-)”

By: Bahereh

April 15th, 2003

Bahereh (610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

I was born a Female in Iran/Persia a very looooooooooooooooooong time ago!To be exact, this year,I am 56 years young! I was born with a very LARGE/ GIANT Nose!:-). I grew up like a weed, but a very short one! I am 5 foot 3, and I am getting shorter on a daily basis! I was born in my mother's hometown of Kerman in 1946. I was about 6 months old, when my mother brought me to Tehran, where my father came from and where my parents already lived. I grew up mostly in Tehran, in a loving, well-educated family. My mother was an educated mystic, so was my grand-mother. They both had a great love and talent for music and literature. My father was a self-made educated man who was raised by his mother who became a widow at a young age. My paternal grandmother had a strong personality, and managed to raise 3 children on her own. My father held high positions in the society, and was well respected by family, friends, and strangers alike. My parents taught us life. I remember them both as, loving, caring, and fair-minded people. They taught us not only through their words, but through their deeds.

BUT MY NOSE STAYED BIG!:-)

I came to America along with MY GIANT NOSE in Summer 1979, so I was 32 years old when I came to the United States of America, and I have lived in this country for over 23 years. As a HEARTizen (I wish to be one!), any where life beckons me, is HOME. Yet, I cannot deny my special love for where I was born and raised, IRAN/ PERSIA. Usually when I say “my country”, I mean Iran, but I do consider my host country of the United States of America as my 2nd HOME!

BUT MY NOSE STILL has STAYED BIG!:-)

When we are born, we are considered a citizen of any country we happen to be born in. I was born in a country that one can find it in the rain! It is called: IRAN. Subsequently, I am a citizen of Iran. Over 20 years ago, when I came to this country (USA), I was considered simply a FOREIGNER. Later on, when I became a permanent resident of the USA, I was called: An Alien, A Legal Alien! I even have a card to prove this claim!

BUT I CONTINUE with the BURDEN OF CARRYING MY BIG FAT CLOWNISH PERSIAN NOSE!:-)

But guess what:

I STILL CONTINUED my LIFE WITH MY BIG FAT CLOWNISH PERSIAN NOSE!:-)

Some day, I would like to go back to my homeland, and share its beauty with my husband, Walter, and with my daughter, Sienna Mae. I have many fond memories from my growing up in Iran. These memories are cherished, forever, in the chamber of my heart, and in the deepest part of my mind, as long as I live.

I love the true part of Persian culture, the true part of the Culture that NEVER dies. The Arts, and the Literature that will exist forever! The Love Songs that will never cease to exist, no matter what! And of course, I still miss part of my family that I have left behind.

This visit most likely will give me the opportunity to share the BIG NOSES of my Iranian People with my little nose husband, and my little nose daughter, Sienna Mae!!!

And what I don’t like about Iran is FANATICISM, in fact that is what I don’t like no matter where I live. What I like about my life in the United States is this fact that I love the freedom of speech. I have always managed to THINK FREELY, but to be able to express it freely is a gift that should not be taken lightly. I believe that FREEDOM COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITIES, and it upsets me greatly when one does not exercise this wonderful freedom responsibly and respectfully.

Year 2003: CLOWN NOSE SYNDROME/ The saga of MY BIG FAT CLOWNISH PERSIAN NOSE continues:-)

It was the last days of January 2003, when I started feeling some itchiness in my nose, it started getting itchier and itchier, and I started sneezing more and more, until one day in the middle of Feb. 2003, I felt like something erupted in my nose, and my BIG NOSE started bleeding a little, and then it started to turning to a GIANT RED CLOWNISH NOSE!:-), then the itchiness got a little better, but by God the size of my nose started interfering with my ability to see!:-). Now, my HUGE NOSE, was grown to its FULL BLOWN CLOWN SIZE!!! So, I started going about my daily business with a HUGE RED CLOWNISH NOSE day in and day out. Then one day, I noticed that the skin on top of my nose was starting to peel off, in a matter of a few days, it did! Just like it was in the middle of Summer, and just as if it was sunburned!!! It left behind a much lighter, smoother skin, and in a sense it looked patchy with a little redness still pointing to the point of my BIG FAT PERSIAN NOSE!!! My BIG FAT CLOWNISH NOSE started having the additions of cuts and cracks around the opening. It took about 2 months to get rid of that, almost! Now a new problem has aroused its ugly head, the BUMPS, and a huge BUMP inside my BIG FAT CLOWNISH NOSE, BUMPY enough, sore enough, and PAINFUL enough that makes blowing my nose painful.

So, my dearest Dr. Melinda Toney, I must come to you, hoping that you have the magic of turning my BIG FAT CLOWNISH PAINFUL NOSE to an ATTRACTIVE SMOOTH BEAUTIFUL NOSE!:-) You are my last hope, my refuge, and my fate is in your hand!!! I would like to be LIBERATED from this BIG FAT CLOWNISH NOSE, although in my opinion, LIBERATION and DEMOCRACY is a journey and not a destination. We are all journeying through this path of democracy, and no one has made it to the finished line, yet.

And on and on and on....

I simply would like to keep my SOUL ALIVE, and not my BIG GIANT FAT CLOWNISH NOSE ALIVE!!!:-)

So, I CELEBRATE LIFE!!! While my fate is in your hand!:-)

Should I join the Circus?!JJJ

Love,

Your friend in Pen Argyl, Bahereh

From the Desk of the artist, Bahereh the Mama HEARTizen, formerly known as DAMN FOREIGNER!

‘FOOD FOR THOUGHT’

Let’s play some Jeopardy!

Have you ever thought why so many FOREIGNERS shortly after arriving in America (USA), end up with the same 1st and the same last name?! DAMN FOREIGNER!

If you haven’t thought about it, Perhaps Now it is the time to think about it.

The ANSWER to the above question is that they (the FOREIGNERS) are all DUMB, therefore, they all deserve to be called: DAMN FOREIGNERS!

THE ANSWER TO THIS DUMB ANSWER is WRONG!

So, You better think again!

Bahereh

Oct. 1999

Pen Argyl, PA

PersiaIRAN

“A lovely tune played the musician of love.

The tunes played, came from Heaven above.”

- Hafez, the mystic Persian poet

As a HEARTizen (I wish to be one!), any where life beckons me, is HOME. Yet, I cannot deny my special love for where I was born and raised, IRAN/ PERSIA. The piece of land we call Iran has been there for a long, long time, and it will stay there long after all of us are gone. However, the real Iran will never die. No nation is just a piece of land.... The true Iran is the one we carry in our hearts and our minds, it is our culture, our traditions, our language, our people ... as long as we carry our memories in our hearts, as long as we preserve the beauty of our nation, share its culture with others, and learn new things to make it better, we never have to worry about Iran perishing.....

Long Live Iran the land of love and melody...

Without getting too patriotic, I must say that I love Iran. There is nothing better than a ‘LOVE SONG’ to hear first thing in the morning! Or to hear it ALL DAY LONG!

I do believe that regardless of some differences of opinion's among people, we all have one thing in common, and this is the 'Love' that we all carry in our hearts! Our Love for our Motherland, is a testimony to this claim!

Always remember that the true part of the Culture, NEVER dies. The Arts, and the Literature will exist forever! The Love Songs will never cease to exist, no matter what!

And YES someday, I would like to go back to my homeland, and share its beauty with my husband, Walter, and with my daughter, Sienna Mae.

Bahereh Feb. 2000! Pen Argyl, PA

P.S.

* Part of this brief article was inspired by an e-mail from Paymaan, a Persepolis member, an on-line group.

Picture sends the wrong message/ Women!

This morning, I was looking through the pages of THE EXPRESS TIMES, and wondering about the impact of the Sept. 11th TRAGEDY when suddenly my eyes were fixed on a picture which was appeared on page A-4 of this issue (October 1, 2001).

In my view the Sept. 11th Tragedy was A human tragedy, a Universal Tragedy, the loss of many, many innocent people, which has brought much pain to all the relatives of the victims of this crime, and to all the humanists in the world. One Race, Human Race, One Country, The World!

Now I would like to say a few words about the image on page A-4, the image of a few women in black scarves holding their guns in their hands, ready to shoot. The image is titled: “Ready for action”. The description is: “A group of newly graduated Iranian women police officers display their skills during commencement exercises Sunday at Iran’s police academy in Tehran.” The women are wearing their sashes with Persian writing on it that indicates that they are from Law Enforcement Academy.

I wonder if it was necessary to print this image at this time. I also wonder why we rarely see any image of Free Thinkers, and Educated Iranians or for that matter any other Middle Eastern Women in the newspapers around this country. I also wonder why we don’t hear about the Free-thinkers and Educated women and men from Iran, and again for the most part from other Arab and like Persians ‘Non-Arab’ countries of Middle East. If you think such educated, peace loving people don’t exist in Middle East, then you better think again. I, for one, was born in the Middle East, I was born in the country of Iran, and I lived a big part of my life in Iran. I know what I am talking about. I know that there are many, many educated, peace loving people, men and women who lived in Iran during my living there, and I know that there are many more educated men and women who live there as I am writing these lines. Many of these countries like my country of Iran are Muslim countries, yet there are a large numbers of adherence to other religions live in those countries as well, such as Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, etc... I would like to urge you as reporters to act more responsibly and promote the Unity among the people, to show the true faces of the people and to show all the facets of every culture. I understand that you are trying to educate the people on the other cultures, and although I believe that even the negative aspects of other cultures should be acknowledged before they can be changed, but I can’t help to think why your whole emphasis is on the negative. Most, if not all the cultures in the world, have many positive sides. We (the Americans) are only considered the luckiest people in this world, simply because we have the best tools (meaning the people of diverse origins) to create a world based on UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY. The fact is that every culture is multi-faceted, and there are many cultures within every culture. Let us spread love, compassion and unity. Let us pray and continue working towards a world of love and compassion, and a fair society as a whole.

It is the circle that unites us all!

Sincerely, Bahereh

Below is the modified version of this article/ Letter to the Editor:

Picture sends the wrong message/ Women!

In my view the Sept. 11th Tragedy was A human tragedy, a Universal Tragedy.

Now I would like to say a few words about the image on page A-4, titled: “Ready for action”, the image of a few Iranian women police officers in black scarves holding their guns in their hands, ready to shoot.

I wonder if it was necessary to print this image at this time. I also wonder why we rarely see any images of Free Thinkers, and Educated Iranians or for that matter any other Middle Eastern Women & men, Arab and Non-Arab like Persians, in the newspapers around this country. I was born in the Middle East in Iran, I know that there are many educated, peace loving people, men and women who lived & continue living in Iran. These people are a mixture of Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Muslims. I understand that you are trying to educate the people on the other cultures, but please try to show all facets of every culture. We (the Americans) are only considered the luckiest people in this world, simply because we have the best tools (meaning the people of diverse origins) to create a world based on UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY.

Sincerely, Bahereh

BEING AN ARTIST IS JUST AN ATTITUDE, SO, BE AN ARTIST: HAVE AN ATTITUDE!

Bahereh Nov. 1998 PA

“Artist and Nature”

Just like NATURE, if the ARTIST is not appreciated, s/he will not prosper! Creatively, s/he will die, because s/he may not be able to sustain being CREATIVE.

Bahereh

- If you don’t sell the work in progress, the work can not progress.

- Bahereh April 30, 1998

- The only person who can promote you, is U!

- Bahereh May 1998

- If you want, you can use them, you don’t want to abuse them!

- Bahereh May 1998

'May you always believe in the Magic of Human Spirit'

“Nature touches the soul of Humanity. It is the source of Inspiration for all people.

Without Nature there would not be any music, dance, or poetry.”

“There is a rhythm in ‘Building a LIFE’”

- Bahereh May 1998 PA

“FINDING YOUR OWN RHYTHM”

Your Rhythm, like your voice, makes a difference in the RHYTHM of the world.

Bahereh 1997,PA.

“FINGERPRINTS Of UNITY/ACIRCLEOFIMPRESSIONISTS”

The formation of the World Community depends on INDIVIDUAL Impressions, the uniqueness of every individual’s fingerprint!

- Bahereh 1997,PA.“

“Bahereh the mystic?!J”

All my life I wished to be understood, and almost all my life I have been misunderstood! This is true in any language that I can possibly speak or write, this also includes my mother tongue, Persian! This has been true for the most part when I speak, and when I write, and even when I stay quiet!!! Perhaps language of mysticism, the only language that I know well, is a language that is perceived even in its written form a language with a strong accent and hard to understand! God, please help me to find a common language which may enable me to communicate with people!

In other words, most of the time I feel I am persecuted for my open-mindedness, and of course the older I get, the more set I become in my open-mindedness, if that makes any sense!

Bahereh Sept. 17th, 2002 Pen Argyl, PA

I would like to use art to keep my SOUL ALIVE! To bring some understanding, beauty, and harmony (and some harMONEY!) to the world. To reach a larger population of people esp. CHILDREN; helping them to connect and stay in contact with their inner being, and stay in contact with their best tools, their IMAGINATION! I want them to know that they have the right in believing in themselves, and in stretching their imaginations as far as they can, and being limited only by their own imaginations and nothing else. They should be encouraged to DREAM, and pursue their dreams, and make their dreams realities!

Bahereh

My Thoughts on Raku Firing

I hear from many people and even most Clay Artists, that the Raku experience is such a wonderful experience since it is quick and gives one instant gratification. For me it is and has always been very different. I experience something SACRED, extremely timeless and lasting in the whole process, and that is what attracted me to “Raku Firing” in the first place and from the very beginning.

Bahereh 1997 PA

HEARTizen’s Abode!

EARN-IT/ ‘URN’ Homes

B. Sacred HOMES

By: Bahereh Khodadoost

Rainbow to Rainbow

Life to Life

This DWELLING is made out of clay. It contains the Essence of All Things,

The very Essence of ‘U’!

“Sacredness is the reality in every human being.”

Last night (Feb.25,1999), in our studio, I made a very small pinch pot, I closed it all the way, then, I opened a small opening on the side, towards the top of the pot, for a small CRYSTAL , to be used as a STOPPER. This morning I went to my studio, I checked on this pot, and I put the CRYSTAL in the hole part, and MY MIND SOARED, and it has not stopped, YET! Bahereh is in the process of making her first house! This house will be made out of clay, with a large arch-shape door, and a skylight. The dream is not that new! She has talked about it for a long time. She has written about it for a long time. Here, I bring an example of it, taken from one of my articles called: “MY COIL-POTS/ MY ABODE”, written on Sept 19,1997 PA :

“To me, CLAY has a timeless quality. Working with CLAY spiritualizes that quality within a person, and as the result carries a sacred and eternal message, SACRED as time immemorial. Once this process takes place, and this wonderful quality translates itself in the work, it gives SOUL to the finished work, yet every one of these clay pieces seems to possess its own SOUL. This can be experienced in many different ways; although I have experienced it more fully in the MAKING of the coil-pots.

Here I am sharing my latest day dream with the reader(s) of this article. This dream is only two weeks old. Two Sundays ago, I was sitting in my living room staring at a few of my coil-pots. Suddenly, it came to my mind that I would like to make a much larger version of my coil-pots. This way my pots can have an idea of their bigger picture! I shared my thought with my husband who speaks my artistic language as well. The time had come for me to make a bigger version of ORENDA, at least large enough to invite a person to go inside my abode. I am or better to say we are quite exited over the prospect of making this dream a reality.”

* ‘ORENDA, The Life Force’, was made in the summer of 1997 by me, Bahereh! It is a Raku Coil-pot, it has an opening in the belly part appropriate to its shape, and its personality, and it has an opening on top. Its overall shape is tall and oval. It is my favorite coil-pot, yet! And She lives with me in my bed-room! There is a light inside of ORENDA that is lit all the time, yet it is at night time that it has its most impact, visually & Emotionally! It reflects light through its openings on the ceiling of our bedroom, and delights my HEART! Among all my clay pots, ORENDA appears to possess the most soul, so far.

Once again, I am quite exited over the prospect of making this dream a reality. What makes this house different from any other house, is the fact that the door, the door knob, and the skylight are CRYSTALS! The outside of the house, and the inside surfaces are all treated smoothly, or with textures taken from nature. Perhaps the house consists of more than one story, many compartments, and staircase to the HIGHER GROUND(S), but there is no closed off section(s). This is due to the fact that when the Sun Shines, and Its rays hits the CRYSTALS, a spectacular show of rainbows will appear on its walls, its floor, and its ceiling, and in this way nothing will be obscured from one’s eyes, and from one’s other senses, Including that significant inner sense, called INSIGHT! This way, the dweller, whoever may DWELL in this ABODE will frequently be reminded of LIFE ITSELF! Bahereh calls this home and other homes like it: ‘BEAUTY, PURITY, & FLIGHT! You can call yours anything your heart desires! If you, or anyone you may know is interested in living in such houses, may contact me at:

Bahereh (610)863-3362 E-Mail: bahereh@HEARTizen.com Website: www.HEARTizen.com

“ How Do I Miss My ARCH! ”

Persian music, architecture, dance, calligraphy, poetry, and all the other aspects of Persian culture are all flowing and beautiful. Its flow can be sensed by all the senses, or at times by a single sense. Regardless of the flow being sensed visually, or otherwise, nevertheless it does exist, and deeply experienced. Many of these art forms have their arch-shaped structures.

In life and everything in it, I have always looked & searched for THAT gentle start, which can be sensed like a gentle breeze. Then, gradually building up, and creating more energy, until it reaches its peak. Finally, slowly coming down to an end, in a fading manner. The format is simply an ARCH: It is a combination of strength & softness that is responsible for its beauty. The essence of the ARCH carries a sacred & eternal message, and transforms one from within.

The wonderful buildings of the mosques are a testimony to the beauty and strength of the arch shape. Buildings like Taj Mahal are like visual melodic or rhythmic music to one’s eyes, and what is responsible for it, is the repetition and the improvisation of a simple, yet complex form called: ARCH

“An Arch is like a prayer. Its strength is in its unity, its beauty in its repetition”

-From ELEMENTS, Nader Khalili, a famous Persian architect

It is this arch shape manifested in different facets of life that is more in-line with my inner being, and my psychic. It truly soothes my whole being. It is like a circle, it is never-ending (eternal).

I have realized that every time in life, I lose the flow of energy, in its natural form, it effects my psychic. It disturbs me emotionally, as if everything needs and should take its course until it comes to an end! I do not enjoy sudden endings, neither do I enjoy things that start suddenly. I get the most enjoyment from the soft, yet energetic start on everything in life, and I get the utmost enjoyment when it builds up gradually, yet in a flowing & systematic manner. Then, I appreciate it coming to its end (destination), still in a melodic, rhythmic manner.

Like nature and everything in it, they all have a life cycle, and every aspect of it has to take its course. I get the utmost enjoyment from watching the seasons changing. It is like classical music, when one phrase comes to an end, the other one starts, and it continues until the end, yet it never truly ends. It continues forever, and in a sense it reincarnates! In music, dance, etc... the key to the success is managing a smooth transition from one phrase to the next one. Otherwise the composition feels disjointed, and not so pleasing to one’s senses. Once the change is there, it is not nearly as exciting as when the change is taking place. The beauty of the Fall approaching and one’s observing the leaves changing colors day after day, is truly indescribable. It is like a painter’s work on a large canvas, it is like a work in progress, constantly changing, and constantly improving. Summer night and sky gazing, Winter season which brings the magical snow, and the Spring season, they all have their special effect on me. The emergence of flowers and the sounds of the birds in the Spring are truly breath taking, and connect us all to our very source (roots), to the nature which we are all connected to. This is the true meaning of life. If one doesn’t lose sight of this, s/he may become aware of this fact that we as human beings are all exposed to the same nature all over the world. It is the nature and the environment that is responsible for all the wonderful poetry and literature, music and all the other forms of art in the world. It is and has always been the source of inspiration for people, and it will always be.

I am grateful for being blessed with this inner insight, which has enabled me to enjoy the true meaning of life. I am glad that I had a chance to share my thoughts with the reader of this article.

Bahereh

March 27, 1998 PA

‘Beautiful Alphabet Town’ by Bahereh

Jan. 2002

Bahereh Khodadoost

The idea of developing this architectural project came to me after the carving of the fancy, cursive, Alphabets and Numbers in the English Language in the past few months. I have carved the letters of the Alphabet and also the numbers from 0-9 in a fancy writing into the plaster, and then I have hand-made beautiful ‘CLAY’ objects from these hand-carved plaster stamps. Recently I carved two versions of the letter A in a very Victorian and flowery way. I vision them as buildings standing next to each other, then the idea came that perhaps a town can be built on this idea. The idea is the town consists of many streets from A-Z. Each street is named after an alphabet, and the buildings on that particular street correspond accordingly to its name which is after a ‘letter’. For example if the name of the street is: ‘A’ Street, all the houses on both sides of the street are architecture after the letter ‘A’ in its most ornate and soft line cursive way. So forth, and so on. Of course, the same idea can be executed with the use of the numbers as well. Perhaps this is quite a challenging project, but I believe it is quite possible. If one can think it, it can happen! Right?!

Part of an ongoing series of interviews with notable Iranians

I somehow met Bahereh Khodadoost through the Internet (what

else?) and found myself connected to her. Maybe it was because

she is a Libra and I am an Aquarius (high compatibility?), maybe it

was because I remember my ART 101 class in college when I

thought I would get my humanities requirements out of the way

only to find a weird and scary connection with clay and pottery

instead? However it happened it happened, and I feel compelled to

share her. I found her engaging, pure and true and I hope she takes

you far away!

-Bruce Bahmani, Feb, 1998

from The Iranian Web Newspaper, Feb. 19, 1998

BB: How did you get into this as a means of artistic expression? What was your

first connection?

BK: Needless to say, my first connection with this medium was positive. I have

always thought myself an artist. (professionally since 1985). It was Oct. 1984,

when I met my husband Walter Heath at a Raku Firing workshop in Tulsa,

Oklahoma. At the time I had limited experience with clay, but knew I loved

working with it. I became involved with clay after we married in 1985.

To me CLAY is timeless and primitive. Working with it spiritualizes me, and the

result carries a sacred and eternal message. When this takes place and translates

itself, it gives a SOUL to the piece. I have experienced this more often in coil-pots.

It's hard to describe, you have to experience it.

Perhaps I am insane!!!

BB: How does being Iranian influence your art? What is it about being Iranian that

makes you different than other artists?

BK: I don't consider myself purely a Persian artist, but a multi-cultural artist

influenced by my background. My work is inspired by my whole life. You find an

essence of Iran in my work, but my work does not present itself as Persian Art. It

is a marriage between East & West.

I have a sense of harmony and balance (a true Libra?) and a never ending longing

for beauty. I have searched to bring these together in my life. I appreciate the blend

of grace and strength, simplicity and complexity, function and decor of an object.

Quality of line is important. A combination of softness and strength used with

integrity is most important.

BB: When did you have your first artistic experience? When did you realize you

wanted to become an artist?

BK: It might have been as a child, watching my [dear] mother read us a poem, or

show us how to shape pastry with simple, flowing, and uniform pinches. Maybe it

was looking at the structures, and designs in my grandparent's yard. Or when I was

first introduced to music, and nature. I don't really have a definite answer. All I

know is I have been artistic since I can remember. I could just feel it.

Everyone is creative. We create our lives. Unfortunately, I don't see creativity

encouraged in the education system the way it ought to be. Our children lose their

creativity. An individual's imagination needs to be nurtured. Every positive thing in

life, occurred from an individual's dream. I was certain that art was the dream I

wanted. It is not easy but very rewarding. As an artist, I feel I can make a

difference in the lives of people around me.

BB: Is your art for sale? Do you do commission work?

BK: I sell my art work through galleries and stores, and from my studio gallery. I

do some commission work. I enjoy executing my own ideas but I am capable of

working with someone else's ideas.

BB: On your website I saw your Peace piece

(sorry!) what does that mean to you and what

thoughts caused you to create something

symmetrical yet evocative? I think I get it,

Peace / Symmetry, how did you bring the

two together?

BK: Interestingly enough, I have sold more

Peace tiles to Non-Persian people as

opposed to Persians! I guess the work

speaks for itself. Many people are attracted

to it, even though they can't read it!

I integrated Persian calligraphy, because I believe in the energy and spirit of the

words. The Persian Peace tile was made from my calligraphy, carved, made into a

mold, and then as a finished clay tile. I have other works with English, Hebrew,

Egyptian,and Hindu images using this technique.

I have always liked symbolism, whether in poetry, art, or nature. I have also always

liked imagery, abstract, representational, or symbolic. These are the reasons for

symbolism in my work. Carved images, used as stamps on my pieces; or, at times,

used as models for slip cast pieces. These images when used in multiples, produce

wonderful complex patterns, and become simply design motifs.

BB: I noticed a lot of metallic or reflective glazes on some of the pieces on your

website. How do you get that metallic look and how much control do you have

over the colors during firing?

BK: The metallic look is done to stoneware, usually gray clay, and fired in an

outdoor gas kiln. This Japanese technique is called RAKU where pieces are first

bisqued (fired to low temperature). Metallic glazes contain metal oxides such as

copper, nickel, or iron. In the second firing, the pots are removed from the gas kiln

at 1800 F, and put in a metal container, covered with dry leaves, hay, or old

newspaper. After a few minutes, the container is opened ( the moment of

excitement!). Every pot has a different look filled with life and energy. The artist has some control, but not total control. Just like LIFE!

Variables are: the weather? The time of the day? Your feeling at the time of the

firing?! And many more! Many artists like raku because it is quick and gives you

instant gratification. For me it is something more sacred and timeless.

BB: Do you do any other forms of art?

BK: Yes! My painting medium is acrylics which I like because it has some of the

properties of oils, and water colors. I often use it as a wash. Also the glazes on my

clay pieces are painted on. I also enjoy painting on outdoor surfaces, like my drive

way. It is a very different and wonderful surface to work on. I also design for

public art projects, such as "Children of the World", and "Lotus Multi-Cultural

Clock".

BB: Where do you want to go with your art? What is your ultimate goal?

BK: I would like to use art to keep my SOUL ALIVE! And to reach children; help

them connect and stay in contact with their inner being, and imagination!

BB: Where were you born? How did you grow up, city, environment, family?

BK: I was born in Iran a very long time ago! I grew up like a weed, but a very

short one! I am 5 foot 3. I was born in my mother's hometown of Kerman in

1946. I was about 9 months old, when my mother brought me to Tehran, where

my father came from and where my parents already lived. I grew up mostly in

Tehran. My parents taught us life. I remember them both as, loving, caring, and

fair-minded people. They taught us not only through their words, but through their

deeds.

BB: Have you been back to Iran?

BK: No! I hope someday I can go home, and take my husband and daughter with

me. I have many fond memories of Iran. These memories are cherished, forever, as

long as I live.

Bahereh Khodadoost <bahereh@wyndows.com> is a Juried Member of the

Pennsylvania guild of Craftsmen(Craftspersons). She is also a Member of the

Monroe County Arts Council in Pennsylvania. A Juried Artist in the 1996

Directory of Pennsylvania Artists & Folklorists. Member of the State of

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. A Juried Artist of Pennsylvania-Made crafts.

These memberships give her the opportunity to bring awareness in society and the

younger generation through teaching.

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(610)863-3362

Mailing Address: 423 Mountain Ave. Pen Argyl, Pa. 18072

please send e-mail to: bahereh@HEARTizen.com