Mother Teresa's prayer

Sometimes petty events are like the little cactus spines that stick in your shins and won't let go. They can even go right into a nerve and cause pain far out of proportion to the point of entry. I was reminded of a prayer I have on my wall at home, which was actually written by someone else and revised before going on Mother Teresa's wall at the orphanage in Calcutta (supposedly). No matter what the genesis of the prayer, I find it to be one of the most meaningful philosophies in my life. Something to keep sane by. Here it is:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.