Do it Anyway!

For all of us who have experienced sleepless nights due to concerns over life issues or have a busy mind that won’t stop rethinking the days events or even worry about the future in these uncertain times. Perhaps reading these words will inspire us to “do it anyway”,  to have faith in the face of uneasiness, uncertainty, and adversity. It is during that "feel good" zone that we are propelled forward and in doing so,  allow ourselves to relax and rejuvenate by enjoying the 'Gift of Sleep'. 

The Paradoxical Commandments – (have you heard of them?) was originally  written in 1968 by a then 19 year old sophomore at Harvard College. His name… Kent M. Keith. Since then, it has made it’s way around the world and has been re-written by others.

Mother Teresa, or one of her co-workers, put the Paradoxical Commandments up on the wall of Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta and this was reported in a book. As a result of that book, people have attributed the Paradoxical Commandments to Mother Teresa. The original had 10 commandments but the version circulating around the web connected with Mother Teresa is named “ The Final Analysis” because of the last two lines. One example of that version:

1. People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

2. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true  friends; succeed anyway.

4. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

5. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

6. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

7. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

8. Give the world your best anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

       The original, written by Kent M. Keith, goes as follows: 
               "Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership:"

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

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

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

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

6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

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

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.


Visit Kent Keith's website at  http://www.kentmkeith.com/

Wishing everyone The Gift Of Sleep - Nancy

Photo by R.A.H.