Devotion
We devote our lives to creating Heaven on Earth
We have committed ourselves to this project and take upon ourselves the responsibility of actualizing this possibility. As we surrender ourselves to this overarching, superordinate goal, we recognize that this is the most rewarding activity in which we can engage.
Humanity is facing problems that must be solved to prevent horrendous consequences. We are destroying our life sustaining biosphere. Despite scientific advances and considerable political freedom for many people, dangerous irrational belief systems have shown no sign of decline. With increasing access to actual weapons of mass destruction, when fanatics struggle with one another for dominance, we are all in terrible danger. While the rate of growth of the human population is slowing, the rate at which it continues to grow is alarming. The continuing population explosion will make the problems we face much, much worse. And with rapidly advancing technological prowess—but without the will or ability to ensure that it is used wisely—humanity appears to be accelerating the destruction wrought by all of these problems.
We can respond to these horrors by turning away from them, by denying reality. Yet, that will only increase the speed with which tragedy comes upon us. If we love ourselves, if we love our families and kin, if we care about our friends and communities—if we value human life—we realize we must join together to face Reality and find solutions. Coming together to build a healthier, saner world—creating Heaven on Earth—is our response to the Realities confronting us. It is the holiest act in which we can engage, the most sacred way in which we can live.
In surrendering ourselves to this service to humanity, we realize we are surrendering to our own most profound desires, our most meaningful goals. For ourselves, for our loved ones, for our children and our children's children, we joyfully place this service in the center of our lives.
Helen Keller
Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness.
It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
Albert Camus
When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that [you] can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding you.
George Bernard Shaw
This is the true joy in life—being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one . . .
Martin Luther King, Jr.
That's your new definition of greatness...
It means that everybody can be great.
Because everybody can serve.
You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve . . .
You don't have to know the second law of thermodynamics . . . to serve.
You only need a heart full of grace.
A soul generated by love.
And you can be that servant.
Rabindranath Tagore
I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was service.
I acted and behold, service was joy.
