Anyway*

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 true enemies;
succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, they may cheat you;
be forthright anyway.
What you spent years building, they may destroy overnight;
build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous and scorn;
be joyous anyway.
The good you do today, they often will forget tomorrow;
do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it will never be enough;
give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them, anyway.



*fr. Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Newsletter (winter 2005)