Focusing on the positive

Baha'is are by definition very positive about the future -- to such an extent that many have accused us of being unrealistic about the state of the world. Over 100 years ago, Baha'u'llah said that humanity has been going through a long period of development -- each stage of which (just like the development of a human being) -- is accompanied by challenges and difficulties. But in the final analysis, the natural direction of our development is to achieve world peace and prosperity. Of course the speed by which this happens is entirely dependent on the efforts each one of us makes to bring about positive change, such as working to overcome our prejudices, getting involved with service projects, working to clean up the environment or just by making small efforts on a daily basis to bring more joy and peacefulness to the people around us.

On this note, here is a really interesting article in The Economist which makes a very compelling argument that the world -- despite some evidence to the contrary -- is actually getting better!

The world's silver lining >

The article ends with the statement:

"Whatever the problems of globalisation, they are dwarfed by the penalties of being untouched by it. The World Social Forum, a gathering of self-proclaimed progressives who want to turn back trade, growth and globalisation has adopted as its slogan the motto “Another world is possible”. In reality, another and better world is painfully and fitfully coming into being." (emphasis added)