In the last decades many have shown a considerable capacity to learn and to grow. Hand in hand with that personal development service and love for others has also grown. Despite all this progress, the coming challenging decades will require abilities seemingly impossible from today’s perspective. Given this, it is vital that we now seek urgently to fortify both ourselves and the communities we live in.
Often, we find ourselves missing something necessary for our growth, tranquillity and spiritual development. That ideal ingredient for any individual, community or institution is the understanding and belief that all are part of world-wide community. Only when this concept is accepted can real progress, peace and the serious problems facing humanity begin to be solved.
In any endeavour whether material or spiritual a vision is required, an overriding clarity about the objectives to be achieved. It helps to have this in our minds at all times. Our purpose in life is clear, to work for the betterment of the world and to help humanity to live in concord and harmony. To achieve this, we will require more than our own endeavours it will also require a vibrant, outward-looking community working alongside us. The journey to our goal will have to entail both spiritual and material progress. In order to build momentum, meaningful conversations with those around us are necessary and will help shape that very development. However, if the betterment of the world is to be achieved still more is needed. In order to trigger a society-building power, energies latent, but so far largely unexpressed, in humanity will have to be awakened. It is worth focussing on some vital much-needed qualities.
Qualities of cooperation and mutual assistance will have to be developed to ensure human society advances in both progress and prosperity. Sufficient moral vigour and spiritual health will prove basic necessities for individuals and communities everywhere.
The betterment of this world will be dependent on other basic qualities, singularly lacking in today’s society, such as unity, trustworthiness, mutual support, collaboration, fellow feeling, selflessness, commitment to truth, a sense of responsibility, a thirst to learn and most importantly love. This is not an intellectual exercise in self-advancement it is a practical call to action for all. Make no mistake, the degree to which we respond to the pressing needs of the age in which we live will determine all our futures and indeed those of future generations.
"The civilization of today, for all its material prowess, has been found wanting.."
The Universal House of Justice
