People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred.
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 truthful,
people may deceive you.
Be honest and truthful 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 your best anyway.
You see,
in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.
This quote is usually attributed to Mother Teresa, though its origins have been debated. Regardless of who wrote it, the message is deep and, for me, it’s personal. It’s all about living by your own values, no matter what the world throws at you.
Forgive Anyway
People can be difficult. I’ve certainly encountered my fair share of unreasonable and self-centred behaviour. It’s easy to hold onto anger or frustration, but I’ve found that forgiveness is more for me than for them. When I forgive, I let go of the burden that resentment creates. It doesn’t always mean I forget or allow myself to be mistreated, but I choose not to carry that negativity with me. I try and let it go.
Be Kind Anyway
Kindness is sometimes met with suspicion. I’ve had people question my motives when I’ve tried to help or be generous. It can be disheartening, but I’ve realised that I’m not responsible for how others interpret my actions. What matters is that I’m true to myself. If kindness is a core value, then I must practice it regardless of how it’s received.
Succeed Anyway
Success, in any form, tends to attract both admiration and envy. It’s a strange mix, and navigating it can be tricky. I’ve learnt that success isn’t about how others perceive you; it’s about setting and achieving your own goals. Along the way, you might lose some friends or make enemies, but that’s a part of the journey. The key is to keep moving forward, focusing on your own path and letting others focus on theirs.
Be Honest Anyway
Honesty has always been important to me, but it’s not always easy. There have been times when being truthful has cost me, whether in relationships or opportunities. But even when people deceive or take advantage of my honesty, I remind myself that their actions don’t define me. I’d rather be truthful and face the consequences than compromise my integrity.
Build Anyway
Building something meaningful, whether it’s a career, a relationship, or a personal project, takes time and effort. It’s disheartening when it all comes crashing down due to someone else’s actions. I’ve experienced this a few times, and each time, I’ve had to decide whether to rebuild or walk away. More often than not, I’ve chosen to rebuild, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. Sometimes walking away is rebuilding too.
Be Happy Anyway
Happiness, true happiness, is something that others might envy, especially if they’re struggling. I’ve learnt that it’s okay to be happy, even when others aren’t. My happiness doesn’t diminish theirs, and their jealousy doesn’t diminish mine. It’s important to protect your joy and not let others’ opinions take it away.
Do Good Anyway
Doing good is often a thankless task. People forget, overlook, or even dismiss your efforts. But I’ve come to realise that the value of doing good isn’t in the recognition; it’s in the act itself. Every small kindness, every good deed, contributes to the world in ways we might never see, and that’s reason enough to keep doing it.
Give Your Best Anyway
There’s a line in the quote that always strikes me: "Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway." This is perhaps the hardest lesson of all. We all want to feel that our best is appreciated and valued, but sometimes it isn’t. The challenge is to keep giving, not for validation, but because it’s who we are.
In the Final Analysis
Ultimately, this quote reminds me that my actions are between me and my own conscience, my mind, my soul. It’s easy to get caught up in how others perceive us or how our efforts are received, but in the end, what matters is that we stay true to ourselves. We live by our values, not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.
This perspective has helped me navigate some of life’s more challenging moments and it helps me make decisions that are right for me.
It’s a reminder to keep going, keep giving, and keep being true to who I am, regardless of what the world thinks. And that, I believe, is a message worth sharing!