The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith
by Dr. Kent M. Keith
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
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I found the above poem on Kelly's blog. She had posted it for a friend of hers who is going through a rough patch. And though the poem might sound a little self-centered, it spoke to me so strongly that I thought I'd post it here too. Maybe it's just what one of you needs today. I surely did.
This morning as I was standing at the kitchen sink making coffee, a little hummingbird flew up to the window and looked me right in the eye, and I swear that bird smiled at me. A little bit later when I returned to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee, the hummer again flew up to the window. He still appeared to be smiling at me.
I remember that on the day my niece Jenny passed away, my sister Joanne had a hummingbird happening very much like this. Vann loved the hummingbirds (hummers, he called them). Is it possible that he told that little creature to come up and speak to me and make me smile? Thanks, Boo. You always knew when I needed a lift.
This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.
On 09/26/2009, Susan Ramey Cleveland said ...
Thank you, friends, for all the love and support. You're the best.
On 09/26/2009, Joanne said ...
I think hummingbirds are more in tune with humans than we realize. I've had them hover very close to me, even brush against my arm. Your little visitor was probably telling you that you're not alone, that love is all around you.
On 09/26/2009, Pat said ...
Great poem; thanks for posting it. I love the hummer story - of course, it came just to see you. Take care.
On 09/26/2009, CarlaH said ...
Thank you for the inspirational poem, I am going to print it out and post it where I can see it. I'm so glad the "hummer" came to visit, sometimes a bit of nature is the best tonic. Hope he stops by again and again.
On 09/26/2009, Debra Spincic said ...
I don't doubt it for a minute--just like the Monarch Butterfly that visited me the spring after my son's death.
All that is important is that you are open to the suggestion of love's presence continued and you will receive it when it appears. Vann is still watching out for you.
On 09/26/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Awwww ... sweet and lovely that the hummer came to see you twice. That cannot be insignificant.
Each time we lost a baby (3 times) a flower we'd never seen before grew in our yard. There are mysteries here on earth that have to be seen to be believed and mysteries here on earth that have to be believed to be seen.
Hugs!
On 09/26/2009, Jan said ...
I believe that there are messages from Heaven all around us and that all we need to do is open our hearts to hear and see them. I feel without a doubt that your little visitor this morning was one of those messages :) How lovely!
On 09/26/2009, Ruth Landon said ...
The Hummingbird certainly came to visit you for a reason, a little reminder of Vann's love that is all around you.
Ruth
On 09/26/2009, Joycw said ...
Susan,
Haven't read this in a few days but Chuck had a we are sorry there are there are things that have upset you and set you back. Please know we continue to lift you up each day and that things will be resolved. As you said He know what is right and He will bring you through this as well. Chuck and I also love to watch the "hummers" and I get Vann sent that one to you just to let you think of him. May God continue to give you His strength and hold you closely. Love you, J & C
On 09/26/2009, Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life said ...
God has an amazing way of giving us encouragement just when we need it - especially using nature!
Great poem, also!
On 09/26/2009, Pokey said ...
How sweet the encouragement of kind words, or the presence of a hummingbird!
A few years back, a had a little girl in my kindergarten class whose Mommy had miscarried that late November. She had lovingly referred to the unborn child as her little ladybug. She said on the day that she came home from the hospital, there had been a ladybug in her house on the kitchen windowsill! In November!
I do not know always how God speaks comfort to our hearts, but if we listen, He Will Speak.
On 09/26/2009, valerie said ...
I truly believe that this could happen. Smile. You are in our prayers.
On 09/27/2009, Nicole said ...
When my mother died in the month of January, a white iris bloomed in my garden. Months and months ahead of time. She only had white flowers in her garden.
On 09/27/2009, Gayle said ...
Beautiful post with a wonderful message.
On 09/28/2009, Kai said ...
I copied and pasted (for myself) the lovely & VERY significant message in that poem. As for the hummingbird, oh, how I DO believe Vann was visiting you. My grandfather continues to visit me even now - 49 YEARS after he crossed over - and he comes in so many ways. He promised me when I was only 8 years old and he was helpless to 'save' me from my home 'life' that he would always be around me. He has never broken that promise. Vann will always be with YOU. He knows that's where he belongs! Big hugs to you & thank you for sharing those uplifting words.
On 09/30/2009, Valerie said ...
one of my best American friends has laways told me that since the day her father died, there's a lways an eagle to be seen in the sky on her worse days... she believes it is related to her father watching her...
this poem is about what I've learned (and still learning) from life. thanks to you and Kelly for reminding me all this "black on white" today...
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