MB’s Blog: Do Good Anyway
We absolutely LOVE the word ‘relentless.’
In 1968, as a 19 year old college sophomore, Dr. Kent M. Keith wrote a document called the Paradoxical Commandments. To our delight, we stumbled across it the other day and, although the word ‘relentless’ is never used, it is the very definition.
The truth is, it’s easy to get discouraged. Even easier to give up. It’s insidiously easy to stop believing in what you do, who you are and what you bring to the table. Trust us, we know. And yet, we all somehow find the guts to forge on because somewhere, deep down we know the right, the good and, in fact, the ONLY thing to do is be relentless.
This is true for us as individuals as well as for capital “U” Us. We MUST be relentless. Relentless about community. Relentless about caring. Relentless about kindness. Relentless about love.
When it comes down to it, the success of our civilization depends on one very simple thing: the relationships we build. Each and every one matters, from a simple interaction in the grocery store to the conversations of our world leaders… it is these collective interactions that create both our individual worlds and the world we all share.
Sure, there are forces that will try to break our spirit, mock our efforts, diminish our hopefulness, undermine our acts of kindness. And, as hard as it is, be relentless anyway!
THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS
People are unreasonable, illogical 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 person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind.
Think big anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.People really need help but may attack if you help them.
Help people anyway.Give the world the best you have and you might get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.- Dr. Kent M. Keith
Thank you for not relenting.
