Mother Teresa's 'Anyway' Poem

Memory is a useful filter. That which is important is most likely to remain top of mind.

Well, as I think about writings from which I've most benefited, Mother Teresa’s "Anyway" poem jumps to mind. Here it is with my added commentary: yes-ands, yes-buts, and for each, a question for you.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

I find that difficult. Do you? What do you find easiest and hardest to forgive?

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

Usually, I don’t let such people get to me. I tend to dismiss them as not worth my attention. When you're unfairly accused, what (if anything) works for you?

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway.

Yes, I have experienced that. For me, what has worked best but incompletely is to keep my antennae out, and when I acquired an enemy, consciously decided whether to just minimize interaction with that person or to take more active steps. What's worked for you?

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway.

Other than the typical internet scams, people have rarely tried to cheat me. I like to attribute that to my default being to expect the best from people plus trying to treat people fairly—often, people try to cheat people who they believe have been unfair. Also, I’m pretty selective as to who becomes a trusted friend. What’s been your experience with people trying to cheat you? What have you done to militate against that?

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.

I’ve seen that happen to some people I respect deeply. Few things sadden and, OK, anger me more. I tell them (and myself) that clichéd truth: Anger rarely helps. Just take that next baby step forward. If you were to be “destroyed,” how would your best self handle it?

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

I tend to feel sorry for rather than annoyed at them. How would your best self respond to someone who was jealous of you?

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.

I value being appreciated, perhaps especially after I’ve made a mistake. I like to think that I’ve successfully banked enough positive actions so that when I screw up, I’m easily forgiven, but often, that hasn't happened. I do try to do what Mother Teresa said, “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.

Right. I don’t find that difficult, perhaps because I’m able to be busy all the time with tasks I think are worthy. How, if at all, are you able to “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.

I agree that it’s mainly not between “me and them.” But I don’t believe in God. Rather, I think of my challenges as between me and my best self. How about you?

I read this aloud on YouTube.