As every morn is followed by evening, each evening is likewise followed by a new dawn-–a new beginning! The life of mankind also experiences new beginnings on a different scale while on this earthly plane–and beyond? Consider how the darkest part of night is just before dawn. Each March 21 marks the beginning of a new cycle, the vernal equinox, when the sun equally illuminates the earth. This sacred day in the relatively new Baha’i Dispensation is called Naw-Ruz, the beginning of the Baha’i New Year, a new spiritual Springtime when all things are made new!
We are reminded in this new springtime that, Absolute repose does not exist in nature. All things either make progress or lose ground. No life, whether animal or plant, is without motion. Progress continues from infancy to different stages of maturity before beginning its decline to the inevitable transformation–into different matter. Man alone has the volition to alter such progression and digression.
In the Holy Bible it has been recorded: “God created man in His Own Image…” but then endowed him with the dangerous weapon of choice! With this weapon we choose too frequently to disobey the laws of God and man, to disrespect ourselves and the differences in others. Such lack of self-discipline not only reduces our precious freedoms but inevitably causes others to exercise more discipline over us. It is evident that the more freedoms we enjoy the less we appreciate them, especially when acquired through fame and perceived fortune. Likewise, the more time and fortune we acquire, the more we squander unwisely with fewer people benefiting from it, too often including our own immediate family. Let’s not forget the common denominator-, “Abuse it and lose it.”
As we begin another Naw-Ruz, may we reflect upon our unparalleled freedoms and advancements made during this most unique period in the history of man! On a planet that potentially spans millions of years, the past century and a half alone has witnessed more rapid advancement in knowledge, science and technology than in all former ages combined! Not signalizing the end of the world (as periodically surmised) but the end of an era and the beginning of a new stage of maturity in mankind!
Having reached physical and mental maturity mankind is now entering the phase of spiritual maturity through which world peace must inevitably come! How it comes, however, is yet the choice of world leaders–whether “…through consultative will or unimaginable horrors!”
This New Millennium, may we choose to become more knowledgeable of and obedient to the laws of God and man. Only through such obedience will we inevitably make peace with and become more respectful of ourselves and others, more loving,- and subsequently more lovable–all components of peaceful cohabitation from personal to world family scale along this Pathway to World Peace! (Investigate!–1-800-22-UNITE)
