Anyway

Who comes to your mind when you think of a person with the most positive disposition? Someone who is always upbeat, joy-filled and encouraging. Someone who always makes you fell better after you have spent time with them.

I have been fortunate to meet and know people like that. They are the ones who are always smiling, greeting, and waving as I go by.

When I see others in a not-so-happy disposition I have come to pray for them, wondering what struggles they are dealing with that has overshadowed their disposition. I have talked with people who even confess that they do not like people. 😒We as people can be challenging to others, but I am reminded of a poem I read years ago called Do It Anyway by Mother Theresa. Check this out:

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 your God;

It was never between you and them anyway.

What does it cost for a person to be nice? How difficult is it to raise a hand and wave to someone, even someone we do not know? That gesture just might turn someone’s day around from a challenging start for the day. It may leave them now believing there really are good people in the world who care.

I heard it said that when you smile it adds to your face value. Even better, smiles are contagious and can be passed on. 😊

Even saying “hi” to someone you pass in the parking lot or in the store sends positive vibes that can ripple in our world.

What does it cost us to make a positive difference in a sometimes-grumpy world? It is our choice and decision. We can just let the grumpy world be grumpy, or like the poems says, “Give the world the best we have anyway. That is how we truly Shine Like the Son. God bless you!