One of my favorite short reminders of how to live life can be found written on the wall in Mother Theresa‘s bedroom of her home for children in Calcutta, India. It is a constant reminder to live by a set of principles that are grounded, unfettered by the whims of societal change.
I wish I could say I was good at abiding by all of these, but I’m still a work in progress.
People are often illogical, unreasonable, 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 certainly win some unfaithful friends and genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years building, others could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give anyway.
And here are a few more that I’ve added personally from my own experiences…
And if the world rewards mediocrity, choose to give the world your best anyway.
If you take the worthy road, people may beat you to the finish line. Take the worthy road anyway.
If you show common dignity for all, some will not return the same courtesy. Show common dignity anyway.
If you give love unconditionally, you will get hurt. Give love anyway.