Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts. Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 53-54)
Recently the police have made many visits to our apartment building to deal with issues such as domestic disturbance, disturbing the peace, drug dealing and harboring criminals. On one occasion, there was even an entire SWAT team securing our building while they were making an arrest. All of these situations were at my previously quiet end of the hallway. It’s been very distressing and even triggering old childhood trauma, where I didn’t feel safe in my house. I found myself judging these neighbours harshly and insisting the landlord take action to have them evicted. A social worker representing the landlord took me aside and quietly encouraged me to get to know them as people, instead of seeing only their faults and problems and how they were impacting me. Two other tenants told me the same thing.
Ouch! I’m the Bahá’í, a homefront pioneer, representing the Faith in this post. I’m the one who should be remembering this and helping my neighbors remember it too. It was a hard pill to swallow.
Knowing that I have this quote to memorize and put into action, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read through today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Letting Go of Criticizing Others
What it made me think of is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s guidance; that if a person has ten bad qualities and one good one, focus on that one good quality. Also, in ” The Virtues Project” website, we can find practical guidance to help us recognize ‘teachable moments’ and put ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words into action.
Absolutely right, Marian! Thanks for these important reminders!
What jumped out at me was that this poor person moved to a place where s/he found it difficult to cope. I hoped there wasn’t a long term lease because feeling safe is important.
I chose to live in a neighborhood like that 40 years ago also as a home front pioneer. We went to a funeral last week for the young man across the street who was shot and killed a couple of blocks away in a robbery. My son was threatened with a gun. All my immediate neighbors but one have been or are drug dealers. The list goes on. I feel safe enough though, so far no bullets have entered my house unlike my neighbor’s, and I’ve only been robbed.
All the community Baha’i activities continue to be held here. I greet and talk withe everyone. My son who was raised here doesn’t feel safe (in addition to the gun threat he’s been badly beaten several times) and for him we talk about moving.
I’m so sorry for all the stress this has caused you Linda and pray that for your son’s sake, God will quickly help you find safety somewhere else.
What jumped out at me was that there are people i.e. like the social worker and your neighbors who gave you reassurance that we are all ‘human being’.
Yes, it’s such an important message, Myra. God loves everyone equally so I must learn this lesson too. The more I learn to take care of, have compassion for and love myself, the more I have for others.