Someone reminded me of this sign today posted on the way of Shishu Bhavan, a children’s home in Calcutta. I quoted it in the front of Authentic Relationships, a book I wrote with my brother, Clay a few years back.
I really needed to hear these words again today. Maybe the will re-inspire some of you as well. Our actions are not about the outcomes we desire. Someone can completely destroy or repudiate a gift of kindness or an attempt to serve. This poem is about living with love and grace in a world filled with self-interest, that can easily treat our love with contempt. Love anyway!
Anyway
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love 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.The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.People need help but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Loved this! Thankyou for posting it on your blog!
~ Amy
Thanks for sharing that. I needed the reminder too.
Loved this! Thankyou for posting it on your blog!
~ Amy
Thanks for sharing that. I needed the reminder too.
Great reminder. I found what I think is the origins of your post. Kent M. Keith called them the Paradoxical Commandments. Mother Theresa used 8 of his original ten and made the poem Anyway. http://www.paradoxicalcommandments.com/sightings.html
Each one of us is on a journey with a gift of inspiring others. We are simply beggars telling another beggar where to find bread.
David
Great reminder. I found what I think is the origins of your post. Kent M. Keith called them the Paradoxical Commandments. Mother Theresa used 8 of his original ten and made the poem Anyway. http://www.paradoxicalcommandments.com/sightings.html
Each one of us is on a journey with a gift of inspiring others. We are simply beggars telling another beggar where to find bread.
David
A resounding “YES!” for both of you – Wayne & David.
“In the final analysis, it’s between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
“We are simply beggars telling another beggar where to find bread.”
Kelly
Thanks, Wayne- Needed to hear these words. It can begin to shake your faith when you desire so badly to see what you think God wants, but only get back selfishness and anger as you give out love (the best you can).
A resounding “YES!” for both of you – Wayne & David.
“In the final analysis, it’s between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
“We are simply beggars telling another beggar where to find bread.”
Kelly
Lovely and very timely for me today, to be honest. I am going to post it on my blog as well (but will give you a hat tip!). I’ve just started listening to The God Journey.
Thanks, Wayne- Needed to hear these words. It can begin to shake your faith when you desire so badly to see what you think God wants, but only get back selfishness and anger as you give out love (the best you can).
Lovely and very timely for me today, to be honest. I am going to post it on my blog as well (but will give you a hat tip!). I’ve just started listening to The God Journey.
Another wonderful reminder, Wayne. Makes me think of the Moose Tracks ice cream I shouldn’t have eaten. But I did anyway. 😉
Seriously….that is a lovely poem. Thanks.
Another wonderful reminder, Wayne. Makes me think of the Moose Tracks ice cream I shouldn’t have eaten. But I did anyway. 😉
Seriously….that is a lovely poem. Thanks.
I like this version, Wayne. Alexander’s 8th grade honors assembly was closed by the principal by reading something very like this … without the last line, of course 😉
Blessings….
I like this version, Wayne. Alexander’s 8th grade honors assembly was closed by the principal by reading something very like this … without the last line, of course 😉
Blessings….
Beautiful, thank you for posting this. It’s definitely hard to remember to do it anyway, this came at a perfect time. By the way, Martina McBride does a song called “Anyway” with lyrics very similar to this. I shiver every time I hear it…so much emotion in one little song.
Beautiful, thank you for posting this. It’s definitely hard to remember to do it anyway, this came at a perfect time. By the way, Martina McBride does a song called “Anyway” with lyrics very similar to this. I shiver every time I hear it…so much emotion in one little song.