DO IT ANYWAY

ANYWAY

By Mother Teresa of Calcutta

(Just one word yet so much attributed to it. How beautifully she has written this poem.)

People are often unconscious, illogical & self-centered,
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish & ulterior motives,
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies,
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest & frank, people will cheat you,
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight,
Build anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow,
Be good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough,
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God,
It was never between you and them anyway.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Had read this beautiful poem late last night and it still stuck in my mind when I woke up this morning. Having got up lesurely from my bed, I sauntered over to the bedroom window, looked out to the day-- it looked like it was going to be a good day despite the clearly downcast skies. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a feeling one gets when everything within is peaceful, serene, and quite content. Not that nothing is bothersome or ‘kicking butt’ mine or somebody else’s, it’s just that some mornings do give us that ‘feel good’ feeling. Well, this is that particular morning. Apparently the neighborhood has had a good head start getting on with the day’s routine of chores. I hear a neighbor’s washing machine spinning away with their usual laundry. Coming down the street are young children in their blue crisp uniforms on their way to school. Following not far behind are two housewives perhaps on their way to the market, too. (‘Wonder what they’re going to cook up for lunch today.) A car passing them slows briefly down to a halt; Mr. Perez, behind the wheel on his way to work, takes time to greet the ladies. Right across my window stands a proud mango tree with its trimmed branches (done ‘bout 2-3 months ago by Mr. Noble, my favorite neighbor) now growing new leaves in places where it used to be bare. And seen below at the foot of the tree is a small low-lying bush happily holding up its new blossoms for everyone to see. (‘Wonder though if people passing by do notice.)

Quite an ordinary scene repeated in many places everywhere. In fact, I think it’s down pat to routine, for the human part that is. As for nature, it does what it does best always --- live. So it really is this – that no matter the threat of terrorist bomb scares, a heavy downpour, or whether somebody is gravely sick or has died today – they’ll do it anyhow. People get on with their lives. Nature does the same. Even if war explodes this very minute, it won’t stop the roses from blooming. They’ll do it anyway.

In just the same manner, do the good that you want to do. Teach your students well, close that major contract for your company, minister to your sick patients, police your area, speak up for the underprivileged, serve in a civic program for the handicapped, or continue loving your unlovable friend. No matter how you may feel - or despite the risk of being misunderstood - or if friends tell you that you’re overextending yourself this time, do it anyway. It’s not meant to please anyone; it’s something you must do because you believe in it. And by the way, has it ever crossed your mind that God despite our unworthiness loves us anyway? J Lovely, isn’t it?!

(Oh my! Three posts in a quick row. The Muses sure are kicking up a lot of writer’s dust this time lolz. Well, I hope this makes Nysa happy! (She’s been nudging me for more!) And to you, my faithful reader, may God bless you and your family with all good things.)


posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 8:41 AM