Dale Carnegie wrote, “It is the mind that makes the body rich. No man can become rich without enriching others.” Isn’t that the highest goal of our life, to enrich our lives by enriching others? We are powerful; our every thought, word, and action stems from an intention and has a far reaching effect. Each effect is either enriching others or depleting them. Each time you think a thought, open your mouth to speak, or act, you are sending powerful energy out into the world. You then become part of what is healing our world or part of what is hurting it.

Each of us is born with something valuable to share with the world. You matter; I matter; everyone matters. Much of the mental illness, depression, and confusion people experience today is because they don’t realize how much they matter. The daily onslaught of negativity, fault-finding, and discouragement has convinced them that they don’t matter. They mistakenly were looking on the outside for validation of their worth when the answers are inside. Each of us was born to share; everyone’s contribution matters! Find out what that is and share it!

In the Bible it states that after everything was created, God said, “That is good!”  That means each of us has good in us. Let’s make every moment reverent by looking for the good in others and encouraging them.

Wouldn’t it be great if we all were habitual “good finders” instead of “fault finders?”

Each step, each word, each thought, and each action must be infused with grace, kindness, and love for others. Human beings were created to honor, respect, and worship our Creator by honoring and respecting His Creation. I am in no way equating myself to the Omnipotent One, but I don’t think you can honor someone and dishonor what they’ve created and value.

As a mother, a person who wants to show me respect would lose that if they disrespected my children or my creations.  And, if they respected and showed kindness to my children, they would gain favor with me.  I think it must also be so with our Creator. How can we say we worship God (Yah, Allah, or whatever name  we associate with that Most Great Spirit), and yet disrespect, dishonor, and discourage His creation?

Three ways to help you figure out what your unique contribution (if you don’t know) is:

1) What do you enjoy doing? (The world needs more joyful servants who serve with love, kindness, and joy.)

2) What needs does the world have that you can satisfy?  (Find a need and fill it.)

3) What does your spirit inspire you to do during your prayer and meditation? (Don’t know? Ask!)

 “Work done in the spirit of service and to excellence is worship!”

This quote paraphrased from the Baha’i Writings sums it all up for me.

Barbara