We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world...

That quote in the subject line is from Helen Keller. Patience is a fascinating thing. I had a quasi-breakdown on Monday because I felt like no one really understood me or even cared. I felt that I was just spinning my wheels trying to make a difference and do things that mattered. Basically, in a nutshell, I was being whiny and impatient and VERY attached to results. Not very "present moment" at all.

Then, after calming down, centering myself, and having a nice talk with Jeremy (thanks Jeremy), many of the things that I had been so concerned about started to turn around immediately. It was very ironic timing to say the least. I had a faint glimmer, if ever so slight, that maybe I just needed to remain patient, and not get so caught up in the fruits of my labor. I need to remember not to depend on the future for fulfillment and satisfaction and just simply focus on the "Now".

Then there will be no need for patience, because I will be deeply rooted in "being" within the present moment. Here are some thoughts on Patience from world religions...

"Therefore, we must exercise extreme patience, sympathy and love toward all mankind, considering no soul as rejected. 287 If we look upon a soul as rejected, we have disobeyed the teachings of God. God is loving to all. Shall we be unjust or unkind to anyone? Is this allowable in the sight of God? God provides for all. Is it befitting for us to prevent the flow of His merciful provisions for mankind? God has created all in His image and likeness."

(Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 286)

"Not to do wrong, to do good, and to purify one's mind,
that is the teaching of the awakened ones.
The awakened call patience the highest sacrifice;
the awakened declare nirvana the highest good."

(Buddhist, Dhammapada - Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

(King James Bible, Romans)

"And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune"

(The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 41)

O ye of little faith...

Sometimes I think other people must see me as an overly optimistic Pollyanna or something, but I just don't very often get upset or uptight considering all the "what if"s in life. What if the economy crashes? What if I don't get that new job that is more exciting and pays more? What if I get laid off of my current job? What if I run out of money and lose my house?

I just don't see the sense in stressing about things that haven't happened. I don't even see the sense in stressing about things that have happened. At the very least I often get told that I need to be more pragmatic and realistic. Save up for a rainy day. Blah...blah...blah. Why? You can't take it with you! I say just live your life the best you can and roll with the punches. Life gives you lemons, make lemonade! LOL! Hee hee. I can't think of any more clichés.

Seriously though, I feel that you just have to have faith. Faith that you will be ok no matter what. All of those things that people worry about could come true, sure. I guess I just think that no matter what happens, I'll be ok. I think it comes from my belief that my true life is so much more than what happens to me while on this earth. Having faith in that really makes it easier to just "Let go and let God". (sorry, couldn't help throwing in one more) ;-)

Here are some quotes on faith from different world religions. What do you think about faith?

If the heart turns away from the blessings God offers how can it hope for happiness? If it does not put its hope and trust in God's Mercy, where can it find rest? Oh, trust in God! for His Bounty is everlasting, and in His Blessings, for they are superb. Oh! put your faith in the Almighty, for He faileth not and His goodness endureth for ever! His Sun giveth Light continually, and the Clouds of His Mercy are full of the Waters of Compassion with which He waters the hearts of all who trust in Him. His refreshing Breeze ever carries healing in its wings to the parched souls of men!

(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 108)

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

(King James Bible, Luke)

Who hateth nought
Of all which lives, living himself benign,
Compassionate, from arrogance exempt,
Exempt from love of self, unchangeable
By good or ill; patient, contented, firm
In faith, mastering himself, true to his word,
Seeking Me, heart and soul; vowed unto Me,-
That man I love!

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))

To whom when men said, 'Verily, men have gathered round you, fear then them,' it only increased their faith, and they said, 'God is enough for us, a good guardian is He.' Then they retired in favour from God and grace; no evil touched them; they followed the pleasure of God, and God is Lord of mighty grace.

(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 3 - Imran's Family)

O Ye Bountiful Immortals! as Ye have made us, so do Ye save us, holy men, and saintly
women (as we are, and steadfast in the faith)l. Save us, O Ye Bountiful Immortals!

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta - Yasna)

Pride comes before a fall...

So, lately I have been dealing a lot with "pride" in my life. It has been an ongoing theme. Pride within myself, pride within people I work with... I have my own personal struggles with feeling proud of my efforts but not prideful, boastful or haughty. I think there is a fine line there and so I thought it worth posting some quotes from different religions on the topic of "pride". What do you think?

Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 64)

Even the gods admire one whose senses are controlled,
like horses well tamed by the driver,
who is free from pride and free from appetites.

(Buddhist, Dhammapada - Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

(King James Bible, Proverbs)

Yea! whoso, shaking off the yoke of flesh
Lives lord, not servant, of his lusts; set free
From pride, from passion, from the sin of "Self,"
Toucheth tranquillity!

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr))

Hell is the resort of those who are too big with pride!'

(The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer tr), Sura 39 - The Troops)

Happy Naw Ruz!

Naw-Rúz (literally new day) is the Bahá'í new year festival and falls at the spring equinox, on March 21st. Naw-Rúz symbolises the new life of spring.

Adopted by Bahá'u'lláh as the beginning of the Bahá'i New Year, Naw-Rúz is an old Iranian celebration which also marks the start of the Zoroastrian new year, and is celebrated by Persians around the world as the Persian new year. This day marks the first day of the Bahá'i month of Bahá, and is one of the 9 holy days which work is to be suspended.

Time is spent celebrating, visiting friends and relatives, exchanging gifts and enjoying many delicious meals and desserts at potluck gatherings.

What gives you hope in the future of mankind?

I created this video for SoulPancake.com last September. I was pretty proud of it since I thought it turned out pretty well for my first try and all.



There was one thing that was brought up on Soul Pancake in regards to this video that I hadn't really thought of until someone brought it up..."Why do we so often put the pressure on the children to be the hope for the future?". A few people felt that was a cop-out and a way of not taking responsibility ourselves to be the hope for our children. We are in charge now and we should be building a better world for them, right? Why pass the buck to a later generation?

As far as what gives me hope - all the good and beautiful things I see in others. Whenever I see God in other people, that gives me hope.

What do you think? What gives you hope in the future of mankind?