Four years ago, I memorized it in German, then English because of her. Darn nuns with angelic faces. Darnit! They get me every darn time. I can’t even use appropriate curse words.
The poem is either called “Do it Anyway” in English*or “Trotzdem” in German. Do not write me and say, “She didn’t really write it.” Fine, she probably didn’t. See the little star at the end of this.
NEVERTHELESS, we have to love people, show them our best, surround them with light…even though they are not deserving.
Yadayada. Isn’t that what God is for? Isn’t He supposed to be in charge of doling out grace? I really can’t do it.
Last Sunday, at Mass, “We are called to turn the other cheek not only because we are instructed to, but also because the world needs it from us,” Ruth informed us.
I hate it when Ruth is speaking to me even though she thinks she’s speaking to the entire congregation at Franziskanerkirche in Luzern. It’s so embarrassing. I’m sure they all know I am her favorite.
Moving on, I get the whole “being a good person” and “turning the other cheek” thing. But, here’s the crux – I’ve done that a sold 75% of the time. Here is how it has left me: stressed, broke, disappointed, broken-hearted. Listen up world, it’s 2014. Maybe I’m ready to stop turning the other cheek and start showing humanity the cheek to kiss, know what I’m sayin’? I’m sick of this.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered; Forgive them anyway.
Whatevs.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
La la la la…I can’t hear you…
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
Stop that!
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Seriously, that’s enough.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
Augh. Okay, cheek turned.
Why? Not because I’m Catholic. Not because I’m stupid or blonde (it’s probably grey underneath this mess anyway) or because Ruth read the poem a long time ago.
It’s because I’m lucky.
I was born in the United States. I was handed a FREE education by my mother and father. I was handed a FREE spiritual foundation by the men and women who raised me in Dallas. I was given almost 3 decades with my grandparents, sister, and brother in my almost everyday life. In Switzerland, I have struggled…but I have loved this country, been loved by the Csendes family in good times and bad, been loved by friends.
The trick is finding the balance between being a punching bag/ doormat and being an arrogant “I’m an island” jerkface.
As this website says, “woman under construction.”
That I am. BLERG! Thanks a lot, MT. You and your kindness. Augh.
It was never about you and them anyway.
WHATEVER! 🙂
* OR “The Paradoxical Commandments,” written by Dr. Kent M. Keith – I tend to go with the research, which supports Mother Teresa had it on her wall, but did not write it.
The World of Before You 
It is always the same. I have a friend with a 15 Million euro house, he think he is god and very important. Jakkes They sayin Dutch! Have a Nice eve feel the same as you do! Grussen John