“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, to ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Thus begins the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States.”
How far from this original concept have we drifted through the centuries? How contrary are the words and actions of some (or at least one) to its establishment and maintenance being espoused in the current Presidential election campaign process. Through the centuries, how have we drifted into such a “Barnum & Bailey World, just as phony as it can be?” Deceit and mendacity are so much a part of the norm in today’s society that truthfulness and honesty are frowned upon, unpopular and often rejected. We speak with phony accents, claim phony credentials, have made the cosmetic business a $Mega-billion industry and go to inconceivable lengths to impress people by pretending to be something we are not, possess things we do not, can do things we cannot or have done things or been places we’ve not–and for what purpose? To simply gain recognition, respect or simply acceptance that we fear would be otherwise denied?
Every one of us I am sure, would like to be appreciated. But even a lifetime of dedicated service and commitment can often provoke more envy and resentment than appreciation.
A favorite Baha’i quotation states: “To be hurt and forgive is divine! But to understand and not be hurt is greater!”
In trying to put things in perspective, consider this: To be, to have or to do whatever for the sake of or to be appreciated by man, one in all probability could be disappointed and/or hurt. To perform the same services for the sake of God, however, removes all emotional attachment to how they are received.
Not until becoming a Baha’i was I made aware of the inherent “nobility of man” and subsequently charged with the task of living up to that nobility. When people programmed, we become more susceptible to our animal instincts and soon become reduced to that level-–by choice. Then can we be more easily programmed to deem it honorable to kill other human beings of different nationality, races or religions in the name of patriotism or for preservation of some other age-old prejudice.
Through the centuries we have made inestimable progress in science and technology (especially in WAR- our animal nature). But the female element added to this year’s current Presidential election offers new hope as, according to the Baha’i Holy Writings for this New Day: “The world in the past has been ruled by force and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more aggressive qualities of both body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance and mental alertness, intuition and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy…When women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world, war will cease!”…in order to form a more perfect (national and world-wide) union! – (Investigate! 1-800-22UNITE)
