Monday, August 17, 2009

Several years ago, I came across an amazing poem.  If I am not mistaken, Kent Keith originated this poem in 1968, and Mother Teresa placed it on her children's home in Calcutta in a slightly different version.  Most sources now quote this poem, titled "Anyway", as written by Mother Teresa:

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 God 
It was never between you and them anyway.


Wow, what a powerful and beautiful message.  And for those who are not religious in the standard sense, but consider themsleves spiritual in some way or form, I would say that it is between you and the universal life force and energy that is all around you and within you.

To me, the poem's simple yet profound message is that we should try to lead our lives in alignment with our virtue, honesty, integrity, purpose and sense of contribution - and not to be swayed from our true path by the negative forces that may confront us along the way.  And, ultimately, to do all this not for the sake of recognition, glory, power or sense of entitlement but for that internal sense of satisfaction that is not dependent on anyone else's evaluation, praise or critique.  An amazing message and vision to live by.  To do and strive and create and contribute simply because it is the right thing to do and because it reaffirms our deepest values - without expecting anything in return and despite the potential disapproval of others.  To stay true to ourselves, our goals and our aspirations in the face of adversity, in the face of the setbacks and in the face of failure - to derive satisfaction and fulfillment from the doing and the contribution irrespective of potential outcome.


Sunday, August 16, 2009

This morning my wife and I were sharing a cup of coffee at an elegant cafe/shop, enjoying a beautiful sunny summer Sunday morning.  A woman came up to the coffee station just beside our table to add cream or milk to her beverage.  She was holding a Lululemon bag which I see all the time in the hands of women around Toronto.  A bolded statement written on the bag caught my eye: "Every day do something that you fear!".  An amazing message, staring right at me.  How often do we go through life avoiding that which we fear.  How often do we avoid pursuing something because of our fears about what this may entail - all of the potential risks and failures and how all of this could make us feel about ourselves and how negatively it could all reflect on us. 
How often do we find that, in fact, all that we were afraid of was just a figment of our imagination, an allusion created by our nervous system and our human fears and insecurities about ourselves and our world.  
Many years ago, I remember reading an amazing book.  In it, the author asks:  if for 24 hours you were given a complete guarantee that you would not fail at anything that you tried or attempted - what would you chose to do?  What decisions would you make?  Which people would you make contact with?  What things in your life would you try or pursue that you had previously were too scared to try or attempt?
Just think how incredible life could be if every day we would try to do all of those things that our fears currently stop us from doing?  How much more could we accomplish?  How much more happiness or fulfillment would we be able to achieve?  I think the answers to these questions are quite mind-boggling if you just think about it.
The fears that limit us on a daily basis, a product of our mind and thoughts are complex and rooted in and influenced by many things.  Among them are all of those past life experiences, positive and negative, from which we have drawn conclusions about the world around us and from which we have derived the confidence, security and faith in ourselves and in the world around us, or lack thereof.  I have observed that for many, with every negative or painful life experience, that confidence in the self and the world, and in one's own incredible potential is diminished and limited.  That idealistic child who at one point believed that anything and everything in the world is possible, is replaced with a fearful, insecure, discouraged and cynical adult.
And so here again is that inspirational message from the Lululemon bag: "Every day do something that you fear!"  Take that important step that you've been avoiding, afraid of failure. Make that important phone-call.  Take on that challenge that up to now you've been too scared to pursue.  Do, try, create and pursue all of those things that your mind has limited you from attempting.  Who knows, you may be surprised by your incredible success, and even more importantly, you will begin to break down those imaginary walls and roadblocks created by your fears.
Life is an incredible gift. On a daily basis it sends us lessons and messages to guide us along our path towards our greatest potential and fulfillment. It has been said that when the student is ready the teacher will appear. I hope that this blog will be my "student's journal" about my observations, thoughts and experiences as I proceed along this incredible journey we call life. The key here is to be open and receptive to these lessons - and they are truly all around us, awaiting to be heard and thus inspire us to grow, develop, create and contribute to the lives of others.