...to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free....

11 July, 2011

a poem for today


(hellebore with seed pods opened)


Anyway
People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and 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 some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone
could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do 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.

                                        by Kent M. Keith


From Do It Anyway: The Handbook for Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness in a Crazy World.
According to the author, Mother Teresa was so moved by these commandments that she hung them on a wall in her orphanage in Calcutta.






5 comments:

  1. Beautiful poem and image, thank you.

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  2. What a great poem! Your photo is wonderful!

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  3. Mike, wise words indeed. To bad we didn't live in a world like that! But we'll live here anyway and do the best we can!
    Love the photo!

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  4. Oh wow.
    Thank you thank you!
    That was JUST what I needed to read today!
    :))))))

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  5. What a beautiful poem and photo!

    I'm new to your blog, I've just come over from Fearless Nesting. I've really enjoyed reading through your posts.

    If you have some time please stop by for a visit, I love company and new friends are always welcome!

    Mary

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