I have been taking a class at Seaside Center in Cardiff with Rev. Christian Sorensen, D.D. he read this versus. When I heard it remembered it ...kind of. So, when I came home I looked up the verse on the internet to print it out.
It was reportedly was written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and has been credited to her.
And, it seems to be based on a versus written by Kent Keith, much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way. I decided instead of writing about my life and thoughts, this month, to share both verses with you.
Version credited to Mother Teresa
People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Version by Dr. Kent M. Keith, The Paradoxical Commandments
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
© 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith
"The only thing that Mother Teresa ever wanted in her life was to meet and understand the needs of others."
I like both versions and hope I can.... Give the world the best I have anyway.
Your thoughts on the verses?
Hugs, Christie
