So, when I told my husband the topic of this week's article, he grinned at me and asked, "Are you sure you should be giving advice on something you haven't mastered, yet?" He's lucky I didn't throw a kitchen towel at him, because, as I have frequently told him, it isn't healthy for husbands to be right so often!

Besides, it is way easier to give advice when you don't know what you're talking about, right? Anyway, I'm at that point in recovery from flu where the mind can think of way more to do than the body can achieve before I have to sit down and rest in front of the computer. Following the news and social media can be less than restful, alas. Some days, I can fully understand that Sunday School story about God sending the flood in exasperation with human imperfection! If I were God, I'd chuck the whole project and start over. More than once!

However, that is not the perspective Bahá'ís have on how God works. Humanity is creation designed to be perfectible, but only with individual commitment and free will. An omniscient Creator would not expect instant change, or be surprised by waywardness and other flaws. Punishment is not required, either, as I understand it, since the rest of creation allows for experiencing the logical consequences of unwise (sinful) actions.

Bahá'u'lláh taught that the purpose of this short life in a physical form is to develop those virtues--spiritual characteristics and skills--needed for eternal life in spirit. He provided the guidance and laws that would assist mankind to succeed. "Love one Another" is a basic requirement, but Bahá'u'lláh expanded that to include the whole human race.

His son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, explained in detail how best to go about it. I've included several of his quotes because I have not personally reached this station, LOL. Here's the latest article from the Baha'i site at BellaOnline.com.

How to Love Mankind
Love one another is a common religious refrain, but given current events--not to mention annoying neighbors, spouses and children--just how does one go about it?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art183529.asp

And just in case you need some extra hope to pursue it, check out last week's article:

Hope - Religion's Greatest Tool
Is hope an artificial construct, just a placebo to get us through the dark places? Even if so, are we justified in using it anyway?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art183480.asp

Do visit bahai.bellaonline.com for more articles on ways to change the world through improved parenting, education, and tools for character building, plus links to the sacred texts of the Bahá'í Faith. You don't have to rely on only my understanding, when you can go straight to the source!

Join free online discussions, view time sensitive announcements and check out interesting external links in the site forum located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=321

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback.

Cheryll Schuette, Baha'i Editor
http://bahai.bellaonline.com

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