What a ONEderful World

I see ONE WORLD.

A world in crisis...a world in pain.

A world in flux...focused on gain.
 

I see ONE RACE. The HUMAN RACE.

Lost in greed...drowning in sorrow.

Jaded...no thought for tomorrow.

But then I think to myself...

I see ONE WORLD.
A world of love...a world of hope.
A world determined...a world of growth.

I see ONE RACE. The HUMAN RACE.
Reaching out...striving to see.
Searching for peace...and finding unity.

And I think to myself, what a ONEderful world.

 

~ Justin Johnson

 

So as we end one year and take a look back and begin a new year and take a look forward, what do YOU see?

Honestly, I almost made this post extremely syrupy and sappy and I even found a video of children singing the original "What A Wonderful World" which was beautiful and touching, but then I thought it just felt like more of the same. As does this past year. More of the same. What are we going to do NEW this year that will really make a difference? What are we going to CHANGE about the way we approach our lives and each other?

Every time there have been HUGE changes in the world in the past it has been due to religion. Sometimes bad changes, but more often very positive ones that changed society for the better. Fr. Albert Luna makes some recommendations in the following video which I completely endorse and agree with wholeheartedly.



To me, we are at a crossroads and have been for some time. This world is ONE world. All the people in it are ONE people. And they all worship ONE God in different ways. Why does that have to be so offensive? We are ONE and we are all created by the same God. We have got to start recognizing that, digesting it and reevaluating how we approach life on this planet and our relationships with each other. We are all one. We KNOW this...it's been said for decades, if not centuries. But it has become more clear now than ever before. We have GOT to stop giving lip service to the concept and start ACTING on it.

As a race of people, we have got to start ADJUSTING to this new world we have found ourselves in. The time is gone where we can turn a blind eye to the misfortunes of others and say "Oh well, that's not my problem". That obviously does not fly in this new global economy and it never will.

Every person we come across has the DIVINE within them. And that is where I am going to start. My New Years Resolution is to really SEE THAT in every single person I can come across and then treat them accordingly.

So who's with me? What's YOUR New Years Resolution that will help change the world?

 

 

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"You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear." ~ Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 452
 

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"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." ~ King James Bible, Ephesians 4:4-6

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"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." ~ King James Bible, Ephesians 4:31 - 5:2
 

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"Unity of heart, and unity of mind, freedom from hatred, do I procure for you. Do ye take delight in one another, as a cow in her (new-) born calf!
The son shall be devoted to his father, be of the same mind with his mother; the wife shall speak honied, sweet, words to her husband!
The brother shall not hate the brother, and the sister not the sister! Harmonious, devoted to the same purpose, speak ye words in kindly spirit!" ~ Vedas, Atharva Veda
 

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"Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him: and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: for Allah loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious" The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 4
 

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"The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The One true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words." ~ Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 14