previous monthly themes
FEBRUARY'S THEME: HARMONY
Katrina, a member of the Baha'i faith and WIN Board Chair, offered the following:
Thus should it be among the children of men! The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If you meet those of different race and color from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness. Think of them as different colored roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them.
Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks
Liz, who is a Druid, shared the following:
One way I define Druidry is that Druidry is spiritual Permaculture, so I believe this applies spiritually as well as practically.
“Sitting at our back doorsteps, all we need to live a good life lies about us. Sun, wind, people, buildings, stones, sea, birds and plants surround us. Cooperation with all these things brings harmony, opposition to them brings disaster and chaos.”
Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison
Pastor Janita, from the United Methodist faith, shared these thoughts:
Harmony is so much more than just singing.
As a United Methodist and as a singer, I have to laugh at the words of author Garrison Keilor, who once said “Methodists are born knowing how to sing in four-part harmony.” But what is harmony? Simply stated, harmony is a pleasing combination of different colors, sounds, ideas or relationships. In 1971 a group of young people from all over the world gathered on a hillside and sang1 the timeless lyrics: “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony”. (video below)
Though deep down we all know this was a really great advertisement for Coca Cola, the message itself is truly timeless. The world would be a better place if we could and would live in harmony with ourselves, with each other, and as a Christian, I would add it is important to strive to be in harmony with God.
Perhaps the next time you are singing a car duet with your favorite artist, or when you are looking at the beautiful colors or a sunrise or sunset, or you find yourself collaborating on a special event or plan with friends or coworkers…or even when you are watching or listening to your favorite news outlet with your family…instead of creating discord, might we find ways to be in harmony? John Wesley (the founder of Methodism) once said: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?”
Harmony is not always easy, but when harmony does occur, the result is always a “pleasing combination”.
Kim shared the following quote by Mahatma Gandhi:
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
