This is Faith
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
On Saturday, but two days ago, I wrote on purpose and Purposefulness. I truly and humbly think it worth a read and reflect. In it, I ended with...
"As I spend this weekend both relaxing and working, I am ever more clear on my own personal sense of daily mission unfolding... ever aware of its enduring capacity to find me. I know that I deeply seek to explore the art and science of character leadership for a better world. This grounds and founds me personally and professionally... my work and play and life. While I see myself as no "master" ... but a student... I think this is the path LP Jacks suggested desirous in life.
- A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.
So, in answer to why is it (purpose) important... check out the above. In answer to how do we find our own. Get out there and live... try, listen, observe and be aware of the hunt. Purpose is looking for you."
Purpose and FAITH
Purpose and Faith. I offer up that purpose requires a sense and practice of Faith. Consider the world in which we find ourselves. Consider this post.
Then, consider the Great Reset.
Consider the Great Realization.
I believe and contend that these are historic times; days and weeks and months and even years that will define us. These are times upon which future generations (think Star Trek vision like, lol) will look back on as defining moments. I believe. I believe in the prosperity of humankind. I believe in the betterment of the world. I am Baha'i... by conscious choice, after all. But this requires Faith. So, what is Faith? This is Faith. And this is Faith.
FAITH Explored
Whatever your belief in "Creator"; whether named as Nature, Life, Source, Jehovah, Allah, God or whatever... Faith is a relationship with that Force, trusting in our meaning, It is Optimism and a belief in the Infinite Game.
Prayerfulness is but a connection with same. With Faith, we make discerning decisions and allow our Faith to guide us, receptive to the learning and wonder. Faith is not blind. It is discerning. It is connection, sought and realized and worked on.
Shoghi Effendi said that there are 5 steps to prayerful problem solving.
- First Step – Pray and meditate about it. Use the prayers of the Manifestations as they have the greatest power. Then remain in the silence of contemplation for a few minutes.
- Second Step – Arrive at a decision and hold this. This decision is usually born during the contemplation. It may seem almost impossible of accomplishment but if it seems to be as answer to a prayer or a way of solving the problem, then immediately take the next step.
- Third Step – Have determination to carry the decision through. Many fail here. The decision, budding into determination, is blighted and instead becomes a wish or a vague longing. When determination is born, immediately take the next step.
- Fourth Step – Have faith and confidence that the power will flow through you, the right way will appear, the door will open, the right thought, the right message, the right principle or the right book will be given you. Have confidence, and the right thing will come to your need. Then, as you rise from prayer, take at once the fifth step.
- Fifth Step – Then, he said, lastly, ACT; Act as though it had all been answered. Then act with tireless, ceaseless energy. And as you act, you, yourself, will become a magnet, which will attract more power to your being, until you become an unobstructed channel for the Divine power to flow through you.
Faith and Confidence...
and Trust.
This is Faith. Then consider:
- As ye have faith so shall your powers and blessings be. – Abdu’l-Baha
As we have faith, so shall our powers and blessings be. Faith requires walking. It is not about doing nothing until something happens, believing it will. It is about walking and moving and building forward... moving forward together, stronger. I am ever more clear on my own personal sense of daily mission unfolding... ever aware of its enduring capacity to find me. That it is unfolding requires the practice of Faith. And it is a practice. In such practice we find...
and true Patience, Strength, Endurance and Fortitude....
We find our best sense of character.
So, What is Faith?
Life matters. Our own living of same matters. Purpose matters; and in so understanding that it does... Faith matters... the find of Faith that lives...
- To walk where there is no path, To breathe where there is no air, To see where there is no light - This is Faith.
- To cry out in the silence, The silence of the night, And hearing no echo believe, And believe again and again - This is Faith.
- To hold pebbles and see jewels, To raise sticks and see forests, To smile with weeping eyes - This is Faith.
- To Say: 'God, I believe' when others deny, 'I hear' when there is no answer, 'I see' though naught is seen - This is Faith.
- And the fierce love in the heart, The savage love that cries Hidden, Thou art yet there! Veil thy face and mute thy tongue, Yet I see and hear Thee, Love, Beat me down to the bare earth, Yet I rise and love Thee, Love! This is Faith.
- Ruhiyyih Khanum, written on April 4th, 1954 (‘A Tribute to Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum’, by Violette Nakhjavani)
It is a question of Faith. Rumi said “What you seek is seeking you.” This is Faith. Practice Faith. Study it. Question it. Practice it. Devour it. Feed on it.
My Humble Suggestion
Consider Faith.
Read the Reflection Card again.
Imagine what it wold look like in practice... in your countenance and gate... in how you interact with people and the world.
See the Confidence, Patience, Strength, Endurance, Fortitude and more that is born of such. See the Love that is born of such.
See the return on investment of Faith. Take time with yourself to consider the value and work and power that is Faith... not the blind kind, but the working and discerning kind. I have Faith ... nay I practice Faith... in life, and humanity. I practice Faith in science and education. I practice Faith in a better future and world. In what will you practice Faith?
Do that. However slowly and discerningly ... and hey,,, slower ain't bad at all.
... peace, passion and prosperity.
Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage
Lead, inspire, educate, and unite. Move forward together, stronger. My work is about bringing campuses, companies and communities together, moving forward stronger. I work with educators, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to do just that. My work is about character leadership and education and its role in helping individuals and organizations build a better world at school, work, business and community. I deliver on it through speaking, coaching and development in character leadership and education. My expertise is character leadership and education. I advance unity in diversity by moving the needle on leadership and education that is high character and results forging. I speak, teach, coach, facilitate, lead, write, sing, dance, cartoon and create on that. In 1980, Professor Rolf Hattenauer changed my life. A highly respected expert in Human Resource Management, he expected much of us and he believed much in us. He was an educator and leader of high character. He was extraordinary. To this day and beyond, I try my darnedest to honor his spirit with my own work. That is another story. But I hope I did him service here.
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