On faith: America’s spiritual destiny: Nine actions to lead the way

Dr. Chris Gilbert

Guest columnist

There is so much to be thankful for this year: We have closer connections to our family and friends. Neighbors seem more important than ever before. And we are each taking on new responsibilities for the safety of our world.

What a time of change!

What is America’s destiny in this new world?

The terrorist acts have their roots in people’s sense of powerlessness, in their inability to feed themselves, stay healthy or exercise equality. Divisions between the “haves” and “have-nots” breed terrorism.

Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, reported that 20 percent of the people on the Earth now control nearly 90 percent of its wealth. That means that two out of 10 people on this planet control nine out of 10 necessities for living.

Certainly, if you are one of those nine with little or no power, you see this as unjust.

To quote Annan: “Extreme poverty is an affront to … humanity. It also makes other problems much worse. People see poverty as unjust. And many people see the United States making and sustaining rules that maintain this injustice.”

Baha’u’llah, founder of the Baha’i Faith said: “The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

Unless and until we see unity in all things, there will never be true peace. In the most graphic way possible, Sept. 11 demonstrated to the world that no nation can afford to consider itself separate from humanity.

The global community is more real for all of us than ever before. And, because of its bounties, the United States has a profound opportunity to lead this new world with a spiritual agenda.

So, what can we as individuals do for global unity?

I offer nine simple actions. Some can be accomplished even before you finish reading this column.

And if we do them together, we achieve spiritual victory and a more equitable world — our promised heaven on Earth.

They are small, but their effect is profound.

1. Moment by moment, let others know they matter. Next time you ask someone, “Hi, how are you?” Really listen to the answer.

Interact graciously with everyone you meet — clerks, salespeople, your bank teller, the mailperson, your neighbor — everyone, as though you are grateful for what they do. Because aren’t you?

2. Get to know your neighbors. Talk. Help them do some yard work. Ask them over for dessert. Show them love. The world changes when we invite our neighbors to join our families at the holiday dinner table.

3. Pray, reflect; meditate, not just in organized remembrances, but every day. There is a palpable, spiritual energy growing in our words and actions now. Spread it!

4. Live as though everything around you is a miracle. Each day is precious. Remember, the last words you speak are perhaps what you will be remembered by. Stop and notice the leaves, the trees, the sky, rain, water, life!

5. Get a copy of the Muslim Quran or the Jewish Torah or Hindu Bagavita and read it. Know these great books are about love, just like the Christian Bible, or Baha’i Kitabi’aqdas and others.

They are all from the same source. God sees no difference between Muslim, Jew, Christian, Baha’i or any loving being who gives more than they receive.

6. Donate money, food, blood or your time to service organizations, and really live the idea that you cannot get anymore out of life than you give.

7. Smile at our foreign visitors and pay special attention to their needs in a time when they might feel most vulnerable.

8. Listen to minorities and women with a greater ear. Move to support their voices and their feelings, especially now. Imagine if they were listened to in Afghanistan or Iran and other less fortunate places.

9. And, lastly, see light at the tunnel’s end. See victory in these events. Every crisis holds victory in its hands. We cannot imagine the wonders that will come out of tragic circumstances.

But God assures us that if we only concentrate on the tragedies, we will lose their potency to create a better world. Know with absolute certainty that there is a remarkable difference evolving.

Listen to a new language of world unity that recognizes diversity is worth protecting.

Try these out. They are healing. They are tangible actions for that important expression, “Think Globally, Act Locally.”

And, this year, they celebrate the change of seasons in a new way for a new world.

Reach Dr. Chris Gilbert of Baha’i Faith at ckgilbert9@netscape.net, or visit www.bahai.org for more information.