Seth Barnes May 13, 2008 8:00 PM

Mother Teresa's poem - ANYWAY

Here's a good poem that Ma Teresa had on her wall. I don't know how she did it. All those needy people constantly asking for a piece of her. And I ...

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Here's a good poem that Ma Teresa had on her wall. I don't know how she did it. All those needy people constantly asking for a piece of her.

And I can relate - I've been feeling heavy lately. Just tired. Too many people need a piece of me and I don't have answers for them.

People are so needy. I want to escape from their needs - go on vacation or have a pity party.

Instead, I'm re-organizing AIM and counseling people, and encouraging people, and coming up with new strategies, and praying for people. And I don't have much left.

It's at times like this that I look at Mother Teresa or Jesus and I say to myself, "That's how it's done. If they can do it, I can too."

ANYWAY

People are unreasonable, illogical, 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 win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help but will attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

*Kent Keith first wrote this poem in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed it on her children's home in Calcutta in a slightly different version. As a result, many have attributed it to Mother Teresa.

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