...anyway...

Below is a treasured piece that has spoken volumes to me in the past, has been saved for just the right moments for encouragement to others, and is always at my fingertips for times when my soul is screaming for a bandaid.

I am known to be Pro-active!.  A hands on kind of person.  Very passionate about the things that are dear to my heart.  Throughout my life, I have jumped in with both feet to ignite the spark of an idea or dream only to have a naysayer come along with a very sharp pin aimed at my balloon.

For the most part, I've learned to be my own cheerleader, and push thru to get the task completed.  At other times,  I struggle to get my feet replanted in the right direction.  Yesterday was one of those days I found myself struggling.  I looked in several directions for someone to be my cheerleader.  For someone to hug this hugger.  I didn't really get what I was looking for.  But in the long run, I'm probably better off.  I did get inspired to look up my "anyway" piece. 

So this morning I am in an "anyway" frame of mind.  It's a new day.  I have been given fresh energy as a result of the "anyway" piece below.  And I am (as Paul said in his letter) "pressing on".   Hope you find some comfort in the following.  You may want to print it out and keep it handy, when you are low in the cheerleader dept.  or in need of a "hug".  This always does it for me!

A Letter to African Pastors

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest ideas.

Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need  help but may attack you if you help them.

Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give them the best you've got anyway.

This poem was written by a missionary to Africa who was later martyred.