So I've been doing some thinking, lately - I'm wont to do that you know. I think it's a result of all of the change that's happening in our lives. Exciting and exhilerating change. Change to write home about, journal, blog, laugh and sing about. There is change afoot so important that everyone alive today will someday take their granchild on their knee and tell them about it.
Although the fall of the Old World Order has been painful, to say the least, we are witnessing the rise of the New World Order foretold by all the Books of God. While on His visit to North America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá'u'lláh, tells us about this momentous and historical Age in which we live. He says:
"I behold in you the making of a goodly tree upon which divine fruits will appear to give sustenance to the world of humanity.
With hearts set aglow by the fire of the love of God and spirits refreshed by the food of the heavenly spirit you must [...] order your lives in accordance with the first principle of the divine teaching, which is love. Service to humanity is service to God. Let the love and light of the Kingdom radiate through you until all who look upon you shall be illumined by its reflection. Be as stars, brilliant and sparkling in the loftiness of their heavenly station. Do you appreciate the Day in which you live?
This is the century of the Blessed Perfection!
This is the cycle of the light of His beauty!
This is the consummate day of all the Prophets!
These are the days of seed sowing. These are the days of tree planting. The bountiful bestowals of God are successive. He who sows a seed in this day will behold his reward in the fruits and harvest of the heavenly Kingdom. [...] Its fruitage and flower shall be the solidarity of mankind, the perfection of justice and the praiseworthy attributes of heaven manifest in humanity.
Today the nations of the world are self-engaged, occupied with mortal and transitory accomplishments, consumed by the fires of passion and self. Self is dominant; enmity and animosity prevail. Nations and peoples are thinking only of their worldly interests and outcomes. The clash of war and strife are heard among them. [...] You must deal with all in loving-kindness in order that this precious seed entrusted to your planting may continue to grow and bring forth its perfect fruit. The love and mercy of God will accomplish this through you if you have love in your own heart.
[...]The zephyrs of a new and divine springtime are wafting their fragrant breaths from the invisible world. Know ye then the value of these days.
Awake ye to the realization of this heavenly opportunity. Strive with all the power of your souls, your deeds, actions and words to assist the spread of these glad tidings and the descent of this merciful bounty. You are the reality and expression of your deeds and actions. [...] The verdure and foliage of spiritual growth are appearing in great abundance in the gardens of human hearts. Know ye the value of these passing days and vanishing nights. Strive to attain a station of absolute love one toward another. By the absence of love, enmity increases. By the exercise of love, love strengthens and enmities dwindle away."
‘Abdu’l-Bahá (excerpted from The Promulgation of Universal Peace)
So these are some of the things I've been thinking about. How to facilitate a change towards peace and love. It's no surprise (surprise!) that I'm a child of the 80s - so play along yes? No one ever says "I want to join the hate parade". Who wakes up in the morning and thinks to themselves, "Self? Who can I hate today?" Nobody - because it's crazy talk, that's why. So let's keep in the realm of crazy & we'll keep love and peace and tranquility in the land of sane, hm? Yeah, sounds good to me, too.
Me: "So anything good in there for us?" *not so inconspicuously peering into the crate with mail*
I don't really have so much of a story today - or, at least not one I want to share. But I thought I'd share this picture, at least - you might like (ahem. love) pretty things, too. Suffice it to say that my imagination has created a scenario involving me sitting on this bench (not too hot, not too cold - with a perfect little breeze) and this band playing this song just out of view.
So I've been doing some thinking, lately - I'm wont to do that you know. I think it's a result of all of the change that's happening in our lives. Exciting and exhilerating change. Change to write home about, journal, blog, laugh and sing about. There is change afoot so important that everyone alive today will someday take their granchild on their knee and tell them about it.
ps. I like this song, too.
I read a really interesting post on Operation NICE today (you should check it out, it's really quite amazing - conceptually and actually) about making a Love List. The aim of this particular Love List, though, would be those things that you love about yourself.... Easier said than done, hmmm?
This particular photo comes from my experimentation phase - photographically speaking. Which I'm technically (okay, actually) still in. I actually really like this photo, and I'm glad of the excuse to share it, proper style.
