Good morning everyone. As a middle school teacher,I have seen two eighth grade classes graduate. Each time it is emotional, it is moving, and I am so proud of them. Why do I bring this up? Read on to find out.
At this year's middle school graduation, the dean of students read the following poem. If you haven't heard it yet, I think its fantastic.
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"Anyway"
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
- Mother Teresa
Source
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The poem is moving, and I believe its something that we can all aspire to. You can and should still fight for what you believe in. You can also do it with reason, forgiveness, honesty, kindness, and happiness.
I told my eighth graders this year not to go out into the world looking for what the world needs them to do. Rather, I told them to go out into the world and start to figure out what it is that they are passionate about. Use that passion and find out how to make a difference in the world doing what you love.
I bring that here because I think that is something we all can do. Fight for what you believe in, do it humbly, and make a positive impact on the world.
Peace
p.s. Below in the comments, lets hear how you make a difference in the world.