Quotes
From the Baha'i Writings....................................................
"We each need somebody to encourage us. When there are things we need to change, perhaps things that we do not like about ourselves, it makes such a difference for somebody to say, "My beloved, you are magnificent because of this and that and that". It gives us courage to act upon our process of transformation. The act of encouragement is an expression of justice in which you give courage to another human to change him or herself. To have the courage to change yourself, you need encouragement. When you need encouragement, it requires somebody else to encourage you. It takes courage to transcend oneself and focus on the good rather than the bad qualities of another person. It takes courage not to be hypocritical, but to really, honestly mean it. So we can see that to establish unity, you need justice. And in a just relationship, everybody has to evolve and grow. And in order to evolve and grow, you need encouragement. If a plant is to grow, it needs food. In marriage, the food for individual growth is encouragement."
--(An excerpt from an edited and abbreviated transcript of a talk given by Dr. Danesh on "Marriage and Sexuality" on 13 April 1991 in Springfield, Virginia, USA, in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Augusto López-)....................................................
"Nagging fails to solve the existing problems, and it creates new ones. Nagging robs one of energy and greatly reduces the inclination, on the part of the person who is being nagged, to communicate. When communication ceases or becomes concerned only with routine matters, it is difficult to analyze and solve problems. During this period distrust may also increase unchecked. "
--(Marriage: A Fortress for Well-Being p.70) Claros. http://bahai-library.org/talks/marriage.sexuality.html )....................................................
"Foster the spirit of loving encouragement and support to Bahá'í families; celebrate the efforts of children, youth, and adult Bahá'ís."
-- National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Five Year Plan 2001-2006, Spiritual Mission for Bahá'í Communities....................................................
"Whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well, let her paraise and applaud him and cheer his heart..."
--'Abdu'l-Bahá....................................................
"When training and encouragement are effective, a culture of growth is nourished in which the believers see their duty to teach as a natural consequence of having accepted Bahá'u'lláh. They "raise high the sacred torch of faith," as was 'Abdu'l- Bahá's wish, "labour ceaselessly, by day and by night," and "consecrate every fleeting moment of their lives to the diffusion of the divine fragrance and the exaltation of God's holy Word." So enkindled do their hearts become with the fire of the love of God that whoever approaches them feels its warmth. They strive to be channels of the spirit, pure of heart, selfless and humble, possessing certitude and the courage that stems from reliance on God. In such a culture, teaching is the dominating passion of the lives of the believers. Fear of failure finds no place. Mutual support, commitment to learning, and appreciation of diversity of action are the prevailing norms."
--The Universal House of Justice, letter to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, January 9, 2001, Paragraph 9....................................................
"Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them and if you wish to give admonition or advice let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the hearer - "
--'Abdul'l-Bahá" (The Promulgation of Universal Pearce, pp.448-49)....................................................
