Before I came to Australia, I was really stressed about how old I'm getting, being that by the time I go back to college I'll be 23/24, so by the time I finish school I'll be 27, and that really, really bothered me. But since I've been here my vision has opened up. What is the rush to finish school? What is the rush to start a career? School and work are always going to be there, people are changing life paths everyday, I don't need to worry about being "old" when I go back to school. There is so much to see in the world, so much to do, and so much I can learn and contribute, there is absolutely no need for me to go home right away. I've been thinking more and more of what I will be doing after my year of service- I'm hoping that my time away will give me some sort of life plan, direction- and what I've slowly realized is that I can do anything, if money permits: I can travel for my 20's, see the world as I've always wanted to. I can serve the Faith more in different areas, that way I improve myself and travel. I'm also contemplating going to live with my dad in Taiwan for a little while, get back to my roots and maybe serve/work while I'm there....I want my 20's to be about exploring, not worrying about school and being miserable. Who knows, we'll see...maybe I'll get adopted by Oprah and can put those thoughts into action :)
On Saturday, a family had a devotional (prayer gathering) a their house, and the theme was love. They had lovely poems and scriptures and excerpts from talks, really good collection. We then talked a bit about what love is, how it's all around us, and how it's the basis of everything. Love is a hard concept for me to grab onto, seems like if it's not tangible it's not real, you know? In the Faith, Abdu'l-Baha explains there are 4 types of love, here's a little of what each are:
"The first is the love that flows from God to man... Through this love the world of being receives life. Through this love man is endowed with physical existence...This love is the origin of all the love in the world of creation.
The second is the love that flows from man to God. This is faith, attraction to the Divine...Kingdom of God, receiving the Bounties of God. This love is the origin of all philanthropy; this love causes the hearts of men to reflect the rays of the Sun of Reality.
The third is the love of God towards the Self or Identity of God. This is the reflection of Himself in the mirror of His Creation. This is the reality of love...Through one ray of this Love all other love exists.
The fourth is the love of man for man. The love which exists between the hearts of believers is prompted by the ideal of the unity of spirits. This love is attained through the knowledge of God, so that men see the Divine Love reflected in the heart. Each sees in the other the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love. This love will make all men the waves of one sea, this love will make them all the stars of one heaven and the fruits of one tree. This love will bring the realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity."
Notice that the love for your fellow human being is the last one mentioned, my understanding is that it's the least important, yet it's the one we focus on the most, and maybe because it's the most "tangible" of the 4, but to focus on the loves that are not as visible is hard, it's something I have to learn to focus on and learn that in every situation there is kindness and love involved.
Well, I think that this is a long enough post for now! Hope you've enjoyed this one and thanks so much for following it- your support and comments mean a lot to me :) I hear that back in California our hills are burning up. I hope all are well and prayers are with you. LOVE.
4 comments:
Ailene, this is the best post yet. You just keep growing and glowing don't you. I'm so proud of you and admire your wisdom more than you can imagine. Consider me your number one fan on the "Remake, Remodel, and Reinvigorate Ailene Project".
And the idea of exploring in your 20s – AWESOME. Spending time in Taiwan. FABULOUS!
The rush for education: each day I look at my bachelor’s degree on the wall next to my desk, over a beloved photo of Dr. Magdalene Carney (who has truly inspired my life). I was 55 when I sat at my own graduation at UMass. So think of that my dear.
That was the sum total of all my education, the bits learned in classes and the bits learned on the path of life. And you know what: they ALL count!
Many blessings and oh, so much love to you – always,
Auntie Susie
It sounds like you're really settling in and had a good week. More exciting than what's going on here (outside of our burning hills)!
You wrote: "...having a steady work schedule and a task is really good. I'm slowly getting myself back and learning day by day who I am and who I want to be."
These are such important discoveries, Ailene, who we are and who we want to become - not in the "I need to change because I'm 'bad' or 'broken'", but in the 'I am evolving into the person I am destined to become - with intention'.
You have learned so far that having a schedule, finishing a task and contributing to something of value are important to your well-being and happiness. Valuable knowledge.
Your "Remake, Remodel, and Reinvigorate Ailene Project" is wonderful, based on growing into your true self. (If Auntie Susie is the #1 fan of your "project", consider me #1b!)
And if Oprah adopts you, please take me along!
The discription of the 4 kinds of love is so interesting. I really like your posts. It seems like I'm learning a few things along with you. For example, you want to travel for your 20's and just find your place in the world. That seems so appealing. You are right about not having to rush back to school. Life is all about experiences the knowledge we gain, and it's less about the education we receive!
Much Love,
Manda (:
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