A benefit of adversity

When you've hit the wall and you experience a crisis this often becomes an impetus to "figure out a new way of doing things.”

Can any change or improvement be effected without facing up to problems? If "no", the first step should then logically be to recognize that a such a problem (or "discrepancy from the ideal") exists.

Now, how would I proceed if I desired to make another (or a group/organization) aware of the existence of a certain problem (and at the same time motivate them to tackle it)?

The following quotations highlight spiritual principles that can shed light on this question. Of particular relevance in this regard could be the powerful influence that "a kindly tongue" can have on one's hearer, as expressed in the first passage.

A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding.
- Bahá’u’lláh

The following passage from the same text will likewise be of interest here:

Consort with all men...in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will.
- Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings 289

'Abdu'l-Bahá sheds further light on the issue, in stating:

...if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer.
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, PUP 453

Finally, a word of warning is given by Bahá’u’lláh against "contention":

Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly manner and most convincing exhortation.
- Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings 279

Endnote:

This post was inspired by the following passage (from the nytimes.com article "A Vision of Iceland as a Haven for Journalists," available here):

“Throughout the run-up to the crisis [in Iceland] — the bubble — people were so excited with what they were doing,” said Mr. McCarthy, who has an Irish parent but has lived in Iceland since he was 11. “Suddenly that dream disappears. People had the option of sinking into some sort of sadness about it, some national depression, or the alternative, trying to figure out a new way of doing things.”