Every month, ministers of Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge, will write this feature column, giving readers a glimpse of themselves, their ministry and their work. We hope to inspire you!
Yes, the world is crazy. If it doesn't make sense to you, you're right. It really doesn't make sense. The point is not to complain about it. The point is not to give up hope. The point is this: The world doesn't make sense, but you can make sense. You can find personal meaning in a crazy world.
Because the world is crazy and you're not, you will find personal meaning in paradox. A "paradox" is an idea that is contrary to popular opinion, something that seems to contradict common sense and yet is true. This article contains excerpts from Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments: Finding Personal Meaning in A Crazy World by Kent M. Keith.
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If you can accept the Paradoxical Commandments, then you are
free. You are free from the craziness of
this world. The Paradoxical Commandments
can be your personal declaration of independence. Put them up on your wall as a reminder of
your freedom. For the rest of your life,
you can do what you believe is right and good and true because it makes sense to you.
The Paradoxical Commandments are not morbid or
pessimistic. If you do what is right and
good and true, you will often be appreciated for your contributions. But if you can find personal meaning without the world’s applause, you are
free. You are free to do what makes
sense to you, whether or not others appreciate it. You are free to be who you really are. You are free to be who you were meant to be. You are free to find the meaning that others
miss. And when you find that meaning,
you will find a happiness deeper than any you have ever known.
The Paradoxical Commandments are a call to meaning – a call
to finding personal meaning in a crazy world.
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.
Dianne McCarty
Louisiana Spirit Hurricane Recovery Lafayette Regional Supervisor