"Finally, I suspect that it is by entering that deep place inside us where our secrets are kept that we come perhaps closer than we do anywhere else to the One who, whether we realize it or not, is of all our secrets the most telling and the most precious we have to tell." Frederick Buechner
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Anyway
Suzzy and Maggie Roache
From the liner notes:
“We were told that this prayer was written by Mother Theresa and inscribed on the wall of her orphanage in Calcutta. However, Sr. M. Nirmala, M.C. at the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta wrote to us and told us that she did not write this prayer. Another source said that this prayer was found by Mother Theresa’s bedside when she died, written in her own handwriting. It remains a mystery to us. This poem was given to us by Bill Bower. Its source is unknown.”
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 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.
6 comments:
Comment Code of Conduct
I will express myself with civility, courtesy, and respect for every member of this online community, especially toward those with whom I disagree—even if I feel disrespected by them. (Romans 12:17-21)
I will express my disagreements with other community members' ideas without insulting, mocking, or slandering them personally. (Matthew 5:22)
I will not exaggerate others' beliefs nor make unfounded prejudicial assumptions based on labels, categories, or stereotypes. I will always extend the benefit of the doubt. (Ephesians 4:29)
I understand that comments reported as abusive are reviewed by the Blog Owner and are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked from making further comments. (Proverbs 18:7)
(With thanks to Sojourners)
Just a few days ago I was watching the Integrity Eucharist on DVD...
ReplyDeleteAgain it haunts me for days as it did in June: "Love them anyway"
This was timely.
Thank you for sharing.
According to many sources it is a Hindi prayer by Om Vashishth
ReplyDeleteThere it is ...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Thanks, Ann. I suppose the Roache sisters went with the mythology of Mother Theresa because it would appeal to a wider audience.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a little someething to balance off any misperception by the title of the CD.
No matter. The poem is helpful . . . anyway.
As Billy Crystal's Jazz character would say in his raspy New Orleans voice, "Can you dig it? I knew that you would."
I LOVE it. Okay, so now we've got three possible authors: Mother Theresa, Om Vashishth, or Kent Keith.
ReplyDeleteMy money is on "Anonymous" who, of course, is a woman.
Anyway . . .
Technically speaking, this is not a prayer, but a poem. It addresses no divinity, but simply the reader.
ReplyDeleteBe that as it may, it is still wonderful wisdom to follow, and I use it as an encouragement regularly.