Each moment counts!
“Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low.” (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 138)
Time is a precious commodity—indeed it is the most precious wealth that one posses. It lives through every breath and breaths one moment at a time. Time is life. To spend it well and efficiently, it does not mean that we should live it with rigidity and dry seriousness; but one meaning is to be selective on what every precious hour, nay each minute and moment is invested upon and for what it is being used. We ought to learn how to differentiate and set priorities, being able to distinguish between the frivolous engagements and passing thoughts, and tendencies and practices of the kind, than those which are worthwhile, indispensable and meaningful. Naturally our priorities and what we may each call as frivolous or indispensable, not worthy enough or noble and meaningful, could very well be not the same—because of varying interests, objectives and expectations that we may have in life and of ourselves; again, depending on each of our potential and characteristics, upbringing and experiences, overall mental, emotional and spiritual developments, and the dreams and ideals which thus we may have drawn and noted to write and engrave on the tablet of our lives and destinies. However colorfully diverse and interestingly varying in measures and intensity, it is our responsibility and our right to treasure time and give each day and every breath a chance of being used for the best that we can each know and accept.
“Abandonment of ‘frivolous conduct’ dose not imply that a Baha’i must be sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of a true Baha’i life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God, are characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.”, “He dose not forbid ‘trivial’ pleasures, but he dose warn against ‘excessive attachments’ to them and indicates that they can often be ‘misdirected’. One is reminded of `Abdu’l-Baha’s caution that we should not let a pastime become a waste of time.” (Letter dated 1979 written on behalf of The Universal House of Justice to an individual believer – elucidating Shoghi Effendi’s description of ‘chaste and holy life’ and his reference to ‘frivilous conduct’.)
“That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” (“Tablets of Baha’u’llah”, p. 167)
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I just wrote another post on the related theme in my other blog below. You are welcome to visit at:
Learning Felicity
