An Inspirational Beginning: Devastation and the Determination to do it "Anyway"

The idea that life can sometimes throw us for a loop and blind side us with experiences for growth when we least expect it has always been a concept that I was familiar with. However, when it comes at you full force and everything you thought was real suddenly changes, you can be compelled to revisit this concept and decide what you will do.

I have always held to the notion that you can not control what other people will do but you can ALWAYS control how you act, respond, and who you choose to be. Although it is sometimes tempting to be angry and want to blame I continue to find inspiration and as a result, determination, to be the best version of myself. After all, that is what I am in charge of and what I will always answer for. That being said, one of my favorite presentations of this idea and one that helps me regularly refocus, can be found in this poem inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta:

Mother Teresa's "Anyway" Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical 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 false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank 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 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 love that!! Let us go forward today and choose to be the best version of ourselves "anyway", regardless of who others may choose to be.