Day 12 of the Fast
This morning I was reading about keeping one's heart open. The Fast has this mysterious ability to make a heart tender. I think it is the many potent prayers that are said and the heightened awareness that exists as one is not eating and drinking. My emotions seem so much more on the surface, that I have no choice but to settle in and feel them. When I am rushing about life, normally these feelings can go by unnoticed or I take pains to suppress them. I have been feeling sadness, happiness or peace more acutely since the Fast began and that makes me more aware of the interactions I am having, and the consequences of those interactions. The question I posed this morning was a direct result of something that I had read. In the Baha'i Writings there are many references to aligning one's thoughts and behaviour with the will of God. I have often wondered what this entailed and how is one able to do it. One of the ways, I am learning, is to be content with what I have, what I am doing and to give thanks for this. Taking time to do the practices of caring by showing compassion and kindness to others, giving attention to activities and completing tasks in the very best way that I am able is a way of being content. Helping others is a way of giving thanks to God and sharing one's love.
Yes, caring involves more than just people. We need to care with our work, with our everyday activities, and with animals, too.