There are plenty of people in this world that succeed. Famous political leaders, actors, singers, comedians, scientists, or CEOs are all examples of people who have succeeded in life. At least, they’ve succeeded in the “business” point of life. However, there are many, many more aspects of life. Happiness, fitness, socialness, and self-confidence are a few of them. Not everyone is going to succeed at the same aspect, and definitely not in the same way, or at the same time.
Recently, I read a quote by Mother Teresa (printed below). I really liked her quote because in it, she admits there are people out there that will try to tear you down, and make you feel small. There are people that will be jealous of the things you have, and the luck you get. She never denies that there are people like that out there. What she does say is that while you can’t control other people, you can control how you react to them. You can keep going, no matter how many times you face obstacles.
My favorite line from her quote is where she says “The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.” Don’t do the good deed so that you’ll be remembered for it. Do the good deed because it will help someone, even if they don’t thank you for it, or even know you did that good deed. Whenever I hear about volunteers, working in shelters or food kitchens, I admire them. They aren’t helping out to get their names in a newspaper or TV show. They aren’t searching for fame. They want to help people, merely for the sake of helping people. Even though the good they do today, may be forgotten tomorrow.
Every once in a while, I like to do something like that. I like to do something nice for someone else, and not tell anybody else. It feels good to know that I’m doing something good, and I know, for sure, that I’m not doing it for the fame or the attention. I know that I’m doing it only for the sake of doing something kind for someone else.
The overall message of the quote was one that kept me thinking. Even though people will cheat you, never stop being honest. Even though people will destroy the things you make, never stop making those things. Even though the best you can do will never be enough, never stop striving to do your very best. Do the right thing, merely because it’s the right thing to do.
There are going to be people in this world that will be jealous of your success. There will be people that will try to tear you down. However, in the end, the thing that is most important is how you reacted. Look around, and try to find an opportunity to be kind, forgiving, creative, helpful, or honest. Do a good thing, and don’t worry about what people think. Because, in the end, you are the one who can feel proud about the choices you made, and the action you took. See you next week!
“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 end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.”
-Mother Teresa
“Reprinted from Hagel Publications, Inc. dba as Courier Newspapers”