My name is Carmel Irandoust. 

This picture was taken in the Holy Land when I served in the capacity of Deputy Secretary-General of the Baha'i International Community.

During my time there, I learned about the importance of the Power of Love: not only on paper but in reality, not only with religious people or politicians or journalists or activists or locals but with everyone. 

We couldn't have been more different yet we still found ways to work together because we purposefully focused on what united us through respect, cooperation, and friendship.

Love is the only remedy that can bind our hearts together and teach us that should any difference arise amongst us, we can work on it for "difference is indeed the very essence of Humanity". It makes us surpass the goals we initially set and overcome the toughest challenges. It is the means of reciprocity and cooperation between people, regions, and nations. It nurtures friendship and trust and destroys bullying and fear. It is important to read one's reality, assess how to best use this powerful instrument, and build a "netlove" in a practical and uplifting way, so one transforms as well as its environment. 

Pragmatism and realism are good, however, they should not be confused with cynicism and extreme relativism. We can see the glass half empty, but could we purposefully focus on the glass half full too? We can see many walls, but could we purposefully focus on bridges and ask ourselves what are the capacities, skills, and attitudes one needs to build bridges too?

There is never one way to read reality. The truth however is one: that we, humans, are all endowed with dignity and rights, with a conscience which, when dedicated to serving our needs and the needs of the people we live with, through cooperation and unity, not without its own challenges, of course, will still be fulfilled beyond any expectations.