Each of us is responsible for one life only, and that is our own. Each of us is immeasurably far from being “perfect as our heavenly father is perfect” and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our will-power and energy. (From a letter dated 12 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, in Living the Life, pp. 5–7)
The current pandemic has activated my “compare and despair” as I look around to see what I’m doing to self-isolate and judging those individuals and businesses who are not. This morning I realized that my lifestyle lends itself easily to isolation but for others, the situation is a lot more complex. Not everyone is able to work from home; not everyone has the luxury of a guaranteed income; not everyone is used to doing grocery shopping once a month or every 6 weeks; not everyone is used to spending large amounts of time alone; not everyone has a spiritual core to draw on. In so many ways, I’m luckier than many of my family and friends. I want to focus on being grateful for what I have and compassionate and forgiving of those with less.
COVID-19 is calling on all of us to let go of the need to be perfect; to let go of expectations of ourselves and others; to see the good in others and reflect it back. As the House of Justice says in the Naw Ruz letter, it’s our job to:
- Rise above the horizon of firmness and steadfastness with illumined faces and radiant brows
- Obliterate the gloom of fear and consternation
- Let the light of assurance dawn above the horizon and shine resplendently
- Bring hope and strength of spirit
- Nurture the attributes of unity and fellow feeling
- Nurture knowledge and understanding
- Nurture a spirit of collective worship and common endeavor
- Strengthen bonds of friendship
- Foster tranquility, confidence and reliance on God
- Provide elevated conversations to bring a source of comfort and inspiration to many
- Focus our prayers on the health and well-being of all the Friends of God and for the relief of suffering
Knowing what’s expected of me during this pandemic, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read 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 Getting to Know Your Lower Nature
Thank you so much dear Susan for your love by sharing your insightful meditation . I can see the importance of the virtues of hope, certitude,strength,unity,understanding,reverence,confidence and reliance upon God,empathy,the most important is that prayers must be focused on the wellbeing and health of all humanity .
Yes, and focusing our prayers on the wellbeing and health of all humanity has never been more important than it is in these days of the pandemic.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing your insights and for clearly outlining the Ridvan message from the Universal House of Justice! Grateful for you and for your service to humanity! <3
Thanks for the encouragement, Rezal. It’s my pleasure!
Thank you for some important reminders of how blessed we are! One more thing . . . the social distancing has not stopped us from communicating with others. Imagine our grandparents (or great grandparents) in 1918 – no internet . . . not everyone had a telephone . . . books in homes were more rare . . . I’m not even sure that local newspapers continued to publish!
We are fortunate!
Well said, Susan! Thinking of the Spanish Flu 100 years ago, when it was every man and woman for themselves. Now with this pandemic, we’re recognizing globally that we are all one. Thank you God!
Funny thing just back from buying a few grocery items.
As I walked the aisles about half were wearing masks and the other half not. Speaking to myself
I say, ” these without masks must not believe the science, and how inconsiderate of them to breathe on me! ”
So I’m checking out and I bring my own canvas bag that the checker refuses to touch. Again I think to myself , ” you won’t touch my bag but you’re willing to breathe on me! ”
Moral of the story is I should have read your meditation first Susan. Thanks again Susan!
It’s easy to forget what we know, Jack. This morning I went shopping and forgot the mask, which I just got a couple of days ago. I was short with the postal clerk when she told me the post office wasn’t open for a few minutes, even though I’m grateful they are providing such an essential service. There were plastic shields between me and the cashiers, but everyone (including me) was putting things and paying to the right of the shields! We’re all just doing the best we can to change life-long habits. I have to remember to forgive everyone for all of it, including my own poor self.
Thank you Susan for a wonderful post. You brought so much and in such a short space. You have brought my wandering attention back from what is out of my control to what actually is,my actions.
Jackie
Ya Baha’u’l-Abha! I’m so glad, Jackie! More God’s success than mine!
Some decades past, I came upon a statement by ‘Abdu’l-Baha where He said, “perfection is not of this world.” I’ve never found it again, but it is one I’ve been able to remember and take comfort in. As a child, it was demanded that I perform adult responsibilities to a certain, unbalanced, level of “perfection.” I never succeeded. No one could. I have more recently found a statement (maybe by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, I’m not sure) which said that a person who is trying is in a state of perfection. Both tell me that perfection is not a goal, and the latter, that it is a process. I am in the human process – and therein is perfection!
Well said, Duane (and an important reminder!)
Is this the quote you were thinking of?
Thank-you Susan for another post that provokes a new insight for me. There are many different responses to the pandemic, and I have felt an impulse to resort to “othering” when I see or hear something that seems either extreme or careless. Thinking through your post and the thoughtful comments, I feel more compassion and will try to reflect that back. Prayerfully, I ask for steadfastness in pursuing acts of service.
Me too, Kathy! We all need steadfastness, especially at this time!
Thank you, Susan. I read most of your posts, but I rarely comment. I have been moved to deeper thinking and understanding by many of them. I have a question. May I translate some of your comments to Spanish and, especially, your outline of the Naw-Ruz message to share with the friends in Mexico?
Sure Jeff, as long as you give the URL where you got the article from.
Did you know that Google translates whole websites? This article will show you how. I don’t expect it will get the quotes translated properly but it might save you some time with the rest.