Changing the Community with Smiles and Acts of Kindness
As the world’s situation worsens, with conflicts and wars raging, religions becoming tools of division, hatred and fear, misinformation eating at our humanity, it seems that humanity has lost its sense of right and wrong and is on a path of self-destruction.
Abdu’i-Baha points to the root cause of the problems facing humanity:
“Consider the heedlessness of the world, for notwithstanding the efforts and sufferings of the Prophets of God, the nations and peoples are still engaged in hostility and fighting. Notwithstanding the heavenly commandments to love one another, they are still shedding each other’s blood. How heedless and ignorant are the people of the world! How gross the darkness which envelops them!” ~Abdu’l-Bahá
Fortunately, there are thousands of beautiful stories that can restore faith in humanity in people’s hearts. For my part, I will share the story of a Baha’i in a small community who inspires me. Despite the overwhelming negativity in the world, humanity within him is alive, and the dream of the world becoming one family is his motivating force. My friend always smiles and is eager to hug and help people.
I wonder why he does these acts of kindness. I came across a quote from Abdu’l-Baha and realized the source of his inspiration.
“All the Manifestations of God came with the same purpose, and they have all sought to lead men into the paths of virtue. Yet we, their servants, still dispute among ourselves! Why is it thus? Why do we not love one another and live in unity? It is because we have shut our eyes to the underlying principle of all religions, that God is one, that He is the Father of us all, that we are all immersed in the ocean of His mercy and sheltered and protected by His loving care.” ~Abdu’l-Bahá
One late night, he was talking to his friend who could not go to sleep due to physical discomfort. He remembered a lullaby he had heard when he was young, which always soothed his soul. Without any thinking or hesitation, he made a voicemail and sent it to him. Later, he realized how funny it was for an old man like himself to sing a lullaby to another old man in the late hours of the night. But true to his nature, he did all he could to help his friend get some sleep. He has told everyone that his phone is on 24/7, and if they need him, they can call him. He receives calls after midnight from his desperate and extremely sad friends who seek his advice to help solve their problems or just need someone to listen to them.
For many years, he has used the facilities at the local swimming pool, where he chats with the people and staff. He has made friends there whom he calls family, and every time he enters the sauna, he says, “Hello, my beautiful human family.” He gives bracelets that he and his wife make almost every day from inexpensive beads, and uses them as a tool and an excuse to connect with total strangers.
One friend suffers from trauma. He respects my friend because he takes the time to talk to him, since others are scared of his sudden outbursts caused by the trauma. One day, once again, he met him in the pool. After exchanging pleasantries, my friend, realizing that he didn’t have transportation, offered his wife’s car to him, which they did not need. The gentleman politely refused to accept, but with tears in his eyes, he said the offer had deeply touched him. He then asked if he could hug my friend, who agreed wholeheartedly. I have no idea what the lifeguards and the rest of the people in the pool thought about seeing two half-naked grown-up men hugging in the pool and crying.
Knowing my friend, he lives for those moments, and like a person with an addiction, he looks for opportunities to give love and do whatever he can to demonstrate his love for humanity.
Abdu’l-Baha tells us:
“But some souls are weak; we must endeavor to strengthen them. Some are ignorant, uninformed of the bounties of God; we must strive to make them knowing. Some are ailing; we must seek to restore them to health. Some are immature as children; they must be trained and assisted to attain maturity. We nurse the sick in tenderness and the kindly spirit of love; we do not despise them because they are ill. Therefore, we must exercise extreme patience, sympathy and love toward all mankind, considering no soul as rejected. If we look upon a soul as rejected, we have disobeyed the teachings of God. God is loving to all. Shall we be unjust or unkind to anyone? Is this allowable in the sight of God? God provides for all. Is it befitting for us to prevent the flow of His merciful provisions for mankind? God has created all in His image and likeness. Shall we manifest hatred for His creatures and servants?” ~Abdu’l-Bahá
No matter how helpless the world may seem and how dark the future may appear, we must remember that humanity has endured many dark times in its journey from the Stone Age to the present, facing numerous challenges. Yet, it has managed to remain steadfast in its expression of love, humanity, and spiritual power, overcoming adversity.
My friend may not be the perfect example to follow. Still, he at least shows us that his little efforts have resulted in creating some positivity in the hearts and minds of those he meets, and this may give us hope that we can also, in our small way, contribute to restoring humanity and love for one another.