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Do It Anyway
Famously written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s room in Calcutta. Trying to keep this in mind during these troubling times, and to help me keep things in perspective.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
– Mother Teresa
What Is This Flower?
What is this flower that has sprung up so suddenly?
As much of the sun as the sun!
It seems as if it was only yesterday
That it was just a sprout
Poking its nascent shoot out of the soil,
Unsure of its prospects,
But it endured the wind and the rain,
Times of withering drought,
The icy cold, the blanketing snow.
It remained steadfast against whatever
The forces of Nature could muster.
All this for this moment upon us,
When its bloom unfurls in the morning light,
And now its promise is assured.
Meaning Is Healthier Than Happiness – Emily Esfahani Smith – The Atlantic
This article and the study referenced echo Daniel Kahneman’s reflective versus experiential happiness. Momentary happiness, such as attending a concert or skydiving, is fleeting. A life of meaning, on the other hand, yields a lasting contentment. As the study in the article suggests, a life of giving often leads to a meaningful life, strikingly similar to the message of Jesus Christ.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/meaning-is-healthier-than-happiness/278250/
Relationships Are More Important Than Ambition – Emily Esfahani Smith – The Atlantic
The question not answered is whether the purpose of life is personal happiness. Nonetheless, this article offers an interesting perspective.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/04/relationships-are-more-important-than-ambition/275025/
God Has Given Each of Us Different Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
New International Version (NIV)
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
This is a rather hopeful passage from scripture. It seems that some scripture passages challenge us and others comfort us. This one does both. On one hand, it explains that God has given each of us different talents and strengths. Despite our different capabilities, He loves all of us equally. On the other hand, it encourages us to use whatever talents we’ve been given in the service of the Lord. The hymn below has a related theme for further meditation.
Ever Striving, Never Reaching 