I am weak and need the strength of a greater force, a force that causes me to reflect on what makes me happy, peaceful and content. I need a force that will help me to rise above the confusion, frustration and chaos of the world around me. I cannot control the world, but I can learn to recognize my own strengths and weaknesses. What makes me happy? What brings me joy? What makes me feel powerless? What leads me to feel overwhelmed? What should I avoid and what must I pursue in my daily life?
I have learned that I need to be intentional about what I allow into my life. I avoid a constant barrage of negativity that I find in the mainstream media as it so often portrays our world in soundbites because that make me feel powerless and out of control. I avoid conversations that turn into back-biting or gossip because they are powerful catalysts that trigger prejudice – and it is prejudice that is among the most destructive forces in the world.
Instead, I search for opportunities to share kindness. When I reach out to others with kindness, I not only bring joy to them, but experience joy myself.
I long to share these thoughts with the world as we all participate in the common endeavor. As the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States has reminded us, we are on this journey of life together. Our existence as a human race depends on our willingness to seek out what will promote a better world and ensure humanity’s survival.
Participating in acts of service to others is one of the ways to promote kindness. When engaged in an act of service, we are less likely to dwell on personal weakness or the weaknesses of others. We turn our attention away from thoughts of self. In service, we have the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others and reflect on making the world a better place. In some small way we can contribute to the survival of humanity and bring joy to those around us.
We are of little use to anyone if we become overwhelmed by events that are out of our control. There are times when we recognize our limitations so that we can focus our energy on what we can actually accomplish. Sometimes this means we walk away from what we cannot change.
There is a process advocated in the Baha’is writings that can transform the way we interact with the world. We are encouraged to take time to reflect on the outcomes of our actions, thoughts and behaviors. What is it that makes us happy? What is it that brings us joy? A focus on uplifting those around us, provides an opportunity to learn from our experiences and identify how to create a future that promotes unity and peace.
A daily reminder of how we can direct our thoughts and actions is presented in the following prayer. It reminds us that while we may not be able to change the world, we can choose what we contribute to the world.
The Bahá’i prayer given to us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expresses this aspiration beautifully:
“Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.”
Perhaps this is one of the greatest lessons of the heart: we cannot determine everything that happens in the world, but we can determine what we bring to it. We can choose kindness over criticism, service over self-absorption, hope over despair, and unity over prejudice. In doing so, we become part of the force that can change the world.
