Do it anyway...

When I wrote the title of this post, I was thinking about the things that I make myself do even when I don't want to because they are good for me (like running and eating healthy) or because I made a commitment (like this blog tonight). But as soon as I typed the words "Do it anyway..." as the title, I was reminded of this poem. And since the poem is better than the post I was going to force myself to write, I thought I would share it instead.

This poem was reportedly inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta, and was attributed to her. However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Kent M. Keith.

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 your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.