Preserving marriages and families in our tumultuous world is as challenging as it gets. Sometimes we succeed; sometimes we fail. But the goal of striving to unite both our intimate families and the entire human family on the planet remains worthwhile. But what does the virtue of "unity" look like?

We know there is power in it. Bahá'u'lláh said, "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth." (1)

The way we behave towards each other also certainly has the ability to build or destroy bonds between people. The foundation must be love, but that love must show in our actions as courtesy and respect.

"We need first to respect our children (in terms of how we speak to them and how we treat them) and then to absolutely demand that they show respect for us in return. The respect they receive in the home will be the basis for their own self-respect; and the respect they learn to show in the home (to family members) will be the foundation on which to build respect for others outside the home." (2)

And then unity seems to be connected to regarding a family as so intimately connected that what hurts or helps one, hurts or helps all. "According to the teachings of Bahá'ulláh...The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered.The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each the comfort of all; the honor of one the honor of all." (3)

But does unity mean uniformity? Does unity mean we all have to look alike, sound alike, act alike? Comparing unity to an orchestra is a helpful analogy: "Unity brings harmony, like the music made by the different instruments in an orchestra. Unity doesn't mean to be the same. A flute would never try to sound like a drum. When they are played together, they make beautiful music. When you practice unity, you value what each part brings to the whole. With unity you can strive for harmony with your family at home and your human family around the world." (4)

The essential goal is really spiritual unity between all human beings: "Look upon the whole human race as members of one family, all children of God; and, in so doing, you will see no difference between them." (5)

(1) Bahá'ulláh , The Power of Unity , p.1
(2) Linda and Richard Eyre, Teaching Your Children Values , p. 157
(3) 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace , p. 168
(4) Linda Kavelin Popov, The Family Virtues Guide , p. 269
(5) 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Power of Unity , p. 63