We arrived in Athens in the quiet, hours of the early morning, weary from a long trek through Morocco. As has been the theme of my sabbatical, I haven’t paid much attention to the finer details, choosing instead to lean into the current of the journey and let it carry me where I need to go. Our Airbnb was in the Charilaou Trikoupi neighborhood. At 2:00 AM, the city was a blur of shadows, but even through my exhaustion, I noticed the heavy presence of riot police stationed nex

The journey to Morocco began with a crossing, not just of borders, but of states of being. I arrived in Casablanca a day ahead of my family, carrying the dust of Kenya and a weariness that had settled deep in my bones. Under the weather and craving stillness, I retreated into the sanctuary of my hotel. There, a hot shower, a quiet meal of soul-warming Moroccan spices, and a heavy dose of vitamin C served as my initiation. I crashed into a deep sleep, waking the next morning r

April 21st marks the first day of Ridván, and Bahá’ís all over the world are celebrating what is, to Bahá’ís, the most holy of festivals. This sacred period continues through May 1st, a time of profound joy and reflection. I love this season because it is Spring, April is my birthday month, and my parents named me after this “most great festival.” I often joke when I meet other Bahá’ís a few days before the festival begins that “Ridván has arrived early!” The meaning of the n