Planning for outcomes is good. But isn’t it true that in the midst of the process is often where the real change and impact is made? I read these “Paradoxical Commandments” the other day and was glad to be reminded to press on and try to make good decisions even when the outcomes weren’t quite what I’d choose. Our world is so results and outcomes-based. But lots of times, we might plant seeds and never see a teeny tiny bud come. Yeah, and we’re told to plant….anyway.
It’d be great if we saw results of all our efforts wouldn’t it? But then again, we might forget that although there are things we can control, there are also a lot of things that we are so at the mercy of. And if things always turned out in an if-this-then-that scenario, well, we might get a bit too prideful for our own good. Gratitude might give way to arrogance if we always had things turn out exactly how we had hoped. Humility has a way of fostering an appreciation for the little things, and not seeing results we hope for, well, that can definitely foster some humility. Here’s to hoping and working and praying towards great results and positive outcomes, but moving forward even when the results don’t surface. Gotta move anyway. So here they are: The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent Keith:
The Paradoxical Commandments
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.”
~ Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council.
Yep. Build. Plant. Spend (and be spent). Love….anyway. Because you never know when the outcome might blow your socks off. Oh, and am thinking that lots of times there might be some amazing results that we just don’t get to see….but that others benefit from. I know I sure have benefited from people continuing to press on when I might not have given them the results, “outcome”, or response they had hoped for. Yeah, we all are in this together. Sometimes we’re the ones planting, and sometimes we’re the ones reaping. And sometimes, those precious encouraging times, we get to be a part of both…the planting and the reaping. So, here’s to continuing to hope. Yes. Just a little reminder to you and me (definitely me) to hope anyway.
Blessings~
Heather
“…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5
soletusknow 
Wow, you speak the truth. The world is trying to break you or turn you, you are saying, ignore it and be you still. I like it.
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Thank you. The quote from Kent Keith “Paradoxical Commandments” was so good for me to read. I so agree with what you said…it’s about setting goals based on what we know, rather than just react to what we see or feel. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Like do not trade your already superior traits for inferior traits because it hurts or is unfair.
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Yes. it’s a good goal 🙂
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Hi Heather, I watched the “Second best Marigold hotel,” again the other night… Its a fun movie with a harmless plot and some good acting. While watching it I ook down a few quotes including this one…”There is nothing I admire more than someone who plants trees under whose shade they may never sit.” I guess it, in particular, appealed to me as I do think there are seasons when we need to allow the ground to be fallow so that some deep planting can be done, which is somewhat along the lines of what you shared….”Yep. Build. Plant. Spend (and be spent). Love….anyway.” What good instructions to love anyway! Thanks.
Another great quote from the movie, well, in my opinion, is this one ….
“There is no such thing as an ending, just the place where you leave the story.”
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Well, I’m going to aim to watch that movie 🙂 And I absolutely love the quote you shared…”There’s no such thing as an ending, just the place where you leave the story.” Thanks so much. I’ll let you know when I watch it!
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