While ideas were flowing inside my mind, before I hold my pen to begin writing the article. My eyes were laid down on a message send by a friend. The message was a photo that I could notice its details and it was attached by a question; “What does your grace think of this photo?” I was about to postpone answering the question till I finish my article, but I preferred to look thoroughly at the photo, thus it is the topic of today’s article.
I studied the black and white photo that depicted two men riding a bicycle. The first was sitting on the front chair holding the handle of the bicycle and the other was on the back chair using his feet to push the pedal. I wondered about the reason that made the two men ride the bicycle together. Instantly, I recognized that the first man had two arms and no legs and the other had two legs and no arms, thus the photo was an embodiment of “unity”, one of the most important principles in life.
Life is full of realities. I once read that “When you learn the answers to questions of life, the questions will be changed“, thus you will need to learn the new answers. To work collaboratively to achieve a great goal is what really would help us to advance, whether in our personal life or as a nation. The great leader “Martin Luther King” said, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”In unity, we are completing each other, as per the unique abilities of each one of us. So we can achieve:
Power:
Some people think that the secret to power is in having authority or exclusive privileges, but their thought is so dull and reveals their inadequate way of reflecting upon matters. As however remarkable their talents are, they won’t equal to the cooperative efforts of a group of people. Unity assures victory. If we take a quick glance at some countries, you will find that they achieve what they sought by united efforts of their people. For instance, India achieved independence and Germany rebuilt itself as it was in ruins due to the Second World War. They said: “United we stand, divided we fall“. There is a Kenyan parable that goes like “If members of the flock are united, the lion would go to sleep hungry“.
Success:
Doors of success are wide open for those who know the value of consolidation to reach mountains’ tops and make great achievements together. It is said “Without consolidation, no work will be produced; in unity failure is not excused.”
This is an invitation to cooperate to bring back our country back its power, success, high status among the rest of countries, thus guarantee us and our children a bright future.
Anba Ermia, General Bishop & President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
