Post by titovoy on Sept 1, 2009 7:38:59 GMT -8
The Paradoxical Commandments is both a poem and a book by Kent M. Keith. He wrote the poem as an undergraduate, and it has spread around the world often in slightly altered form. In 1997, Keith learned that the poem "The Paradoxical Commandments" had hung on the wall of Mother Theresa's children's home in Calcutta, India, and two decades after writing the original poem, Dr. Keith wrote a book of the same title expanding on the themes of the poem: Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World.
1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
>>> One of the most difficult thing to do is loving the unlovable. I’ve encountered many difficult people. They’re truly a pain in the neck – making life miserable for you. Almost always, my reaction is to defend myself. I usually end up emotionally drained. The best remedy is not to get affected. Begin by forgiving them. You’ll sleep better at night.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
>>> Never ever attempt to do good just to please anybody. Do good because it is the right thing to do. It’s between you and God.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
>>> The secret to my success: Work hard. Be sincere. Stay humble. Be fair. Pray incessantly. Not necessary in this order.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
>>> Are you one who’s keeping score of your good deeds? It gets frustrating if you’re doing so. Continue to make a difference and be your own hero.
5. Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
>>> Filipinos cringe at the thought of being brutally frank. We never want to hurt other people’s feelings. But it’s really all about the delivery of the message.
6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
>>> Don’t compete with other people’s ideas. Work on selling your own big idea.
7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
>>> Learn to be able to spot the next big thing among people. Sometimes they come from the most unexpected occasions. The ugly duckling just might bloom to a lovely swan.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
>>> If you’ve planted the good seed, the top plant may be destroyed by any force imaginable but the roots will flourish if you continue to nourish it.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
>>> Altruism is tough enough. It is even tougher when you’re is never appreciated. Extend your support anyway. Mean well. Do well. Give until it hurts and you will reap points in heaven.
10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
>>> Don’t be affected by small talk. Continue to give your best in everything that you do. You might fall along the way but stand up, take a deep breath and move on.
1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
>>> One of the most difficult thing to do is loving the unlovable. I’ve encountered many difficult people. They’re truly a pain in the neck – making life miserable for you. Almost always, my reaction is to defend myself. I usually end up emotionally drained. The best remedy is not to get affected. Begin by forgiving them. You’ll sleep better at night.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
>>> Never ever attempt to do good just to please anybody. Do good because it is the right thing to do. It’s between you and God.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
>>> The secret to my success: Work hard. Be sincere. Stay humble. Be fair. Pray incessantly. Not necessary in this order.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
>>> Are you one who’s keeping score of your good deeds? It gets frustrating if you’re doing so. Continue to make a difference and be your own hero.
5. Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
>>> Filipinos cringe at the thought of being brutally frank. We never want to hurt other people’s feelings. But it’s really all about the delivery of the message.
6. The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
>>> Don’t compete with other people’s ideas. Work on selling your own big idea.
7. People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
>>> Learn to be able to spot the next big thing among people. Sometimes they come from the most unexpected occasions. The ugly duckling just might bloom to a lovely swan.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
>>> If you’ve planted the good seed, the top plant may be destroyed by any force imaginable but the roots will flourish if you continue to nourish it.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
>>> Altruism is tough enough. It is even tougher when you’re is never appreciated. Extend your support anyway. Mean well. Do well. Give until it hurts and you will reap points in heaven.
10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
>>> Don’t be affected by small talk. Continue to give your best in everything that you do. You might fall along the way but stand up, take a deep breath and move on.
