To engage in some profession is highly commendable, for when occupied with work one is less likely to dwell on the unpleasant aspects of life.
Dwell
Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 175
Do not allow your minds to dwell on the present, but with eyes of faith look into the future, for in truth the Spirit of God is working in your midst.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 169
Do not dwell on what is coming to pass in this holy place, and be ye in no wise alarmed. Whatsoever may happen is for the best, because affliction is but the essence of bounty, and sorrow and toil are mercy unalloyed, and anguish is peace of mind, and to make a sacrifice is to receive a gift, and whatsoever may come to pass hath issued from God's grace.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 245
I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 151
He strongly urges you not to dwell on yourself. Each one of us, if we look into our failures, is sure to feel unworthy and despondent, and this feeling only frustrates our constructive efforts and wastes time. The thing for us to focus on is the glory of the Cause and the Power of Bahá’u’lláh which can make of a mere drop a surging sea! You certainly have no right to feel negative; you have embraced this glorious Faith and arisen with devotion to serve it, and your labours are greatly appreciated by both the Guardian and your fellow-Bahá’ís. With something as positive as the Faith and all it teaches behind you, you should be a veritable lion of confidence, and he will pray that you may become so.
Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 116
He urges you to persevere and add up your accomplishments, rather than to dwell on the dark side of things. Everyone's life has both a dark and bright side. The Master said: turn your back to the darkness and your face to Me.
Shoghi Effendi, The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahá’í Community, p. 457
The friends should be made to realize they must dwell on the bright side, and on the great assistance Bahá’u’lláh has promised His servants, if they but turn to Him, and forget self, and teach the Faith.
Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Indian Subcontinent, p. 303
We must never dwell too much on the attitudes and feelings of our fellow believers towards us. What is most important is to foster love and harmony and ignore any rebuffs we may receive; in this way the weakness of human nature and the peculiarity or attitude of any particular person is not magnified, but pales into insignificance in comparison with our joint service to the Faith we all love.
Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 116
