Tomorrow morning I’ll be using the “Do it anyway” inspirational poem, in a sermon on taking the risk of rejection. See Gospel Notes for the raw material shaping up for sharing.

The poem, as used here, comes from Mother Teresa: A Simple Path, compiled by Lucinda Vardey (1995), page 185. Vardey reported that it was “a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, the children’s home in Calcutta.”

It’s an adaptation of the ten paradoxical commandments written by Kent Keith in his 1968 book, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council. Kent has reclaimed his poem, set up a web site, republished the book and is now on the speaker circuit.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centred – love 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 good enough. Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see in the final analysis, it is all between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

I’ll be using the poem in conjunction with imagery from Shawshank Redemption and the song, “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House.