Of all the months of the year, October is my absolute favorite, (usually) with its clear blue skies, its big harvest moon, moderate temperatures and beautiful array of colors as “summer, unashamed sheds her clothes as she changes her garb and dresses for fall,” according to lyrics of “The Summer Knows.”
Spring also brings its particular natural (innocent) beauty, void of the wisdom of fall having survived the unpredictable harsh throws of summer.
October also peaks political elections within any given year whether local, state or national. For Baha’is, however, October means annual Unit Convention time when Baha’is throughout the nation hold broader elections (each Unit including several states) to select a representative for the National Spiritual Assembly–from which representatives are elected to the Universal House of Justice located on Mt. Carmel in Haifa, Israel. The diametrical difference between the two systems however is process. The former involves bitter campaigning and $-multi-millions on every level.
Baha’i elections, whether local, unit, national or international, result from respective gatherings of prayer, information and consultation-–without monetary investment or compensation even upon being elected to ANY position! No single individual within the Faith has any particular title or influence. All administrative decisions are made by elected bodies of 9 individuals on local, nation and international levels–the most plausible electoral system for World Peace–and amazingly flawless even in its embryonic stage–less than 200 years with others thousands of years its superior, in age only, applicable to the exigencies of each era.
The word slavery in this comparatively new nation instantly evokes visions of physical chains. Among its definitions however, is also to be found, “excessive dependence upon or devotion to someone or something.” Along this vein it appears that the poorest and wealthiest of Americans share one thing in common, lack of appreciation of what freedoms we have, and disrespect of their source.
The fact remains, one could not become addicted to or overly dependent upon something they never had. Therefore much of our psychological emancipation derives through appreciation that usually dwindles with accumulation-, especially of wealth and perceived power.
Without appreciation there can be no respect. Without respect there can be no order in one’s life as disrespect begets disrespect. All of nature respects its creator. Mankind alone, having been endowed with the dangerous weapon of free will, chooses to disrespect his Creator and His creation, not only by not aspiring to become the best one is capable of, but also by failing to encourage or actually impeding the progress of others attempting to do so. Humility, a key component of appreciation, has remained awkward and unappreciated in our egotistical American society–until Pope Francis, the world’s most visible example of humility and power.
Therefore, “Appreciate the days in which ye live,” state the Baha’i Holy Writings,” for they will come to you no more and you will never have like opportunity.” (Investigate! 1-800-22-UNITE)
