Sunday, August 12, 2007

Paradoxical Commandment #10

I do want to apologize to you all if I caused you any unnecessary clicking by my absence. The important issue is I am going to post the final Paradoxical Commandment. Number Ten.

Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

This commandment sounds crazy. Who in their right mind would want to get kicked in the teeth more often than they do already? Are you a glutton for punishment?

Come to think about it, what kind of person does not give their best? Certainly not you, the writer, designer, parent, or business person. We all give our best and if we get kicked in the teeth are we willing to continue giving our best?

Why would anyone want to give their all just to be knocked down? Because the bottom line is, if you are not giving your best in this world what world are you saving it for? This is it guys, when you leave this world there are no more chances to “get it right”.

Recognition. I recently wrote this word down as something that I desire from my peers, family and community. But I am discovering that recognition and applause do not provide as much meaning as loving and helping others.

Yes appreciation is desired by all of us but a person who craves applause will focus on the applause instead of meeting the needs of others. Not everyone remembers to applaud so if you are depending on the whims of others, you will not be satisfied.

Anyway is a neat little book that delivers a big punch. Author Kent M. Keith is a prime example of how the paradoxical principles work. These principles were first written when Keith was a student at Harvard in the 1960’s. Since then, unbeknownst to him, they have been quoted, circulated and appropriated by countless people. When Keith learned that his Paradoxical Commandments had traveled the globe and had even been taped upon the walls of Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta, he was moved to put them in this modern credo for living well, being happy…and doing good anyway.

Write it down,
Carma

6 comments:

  1. Self-recognition is a big one too!

    THAT takes a long time to learn, too. But it is so worth it!

    Missed ya!

    truly,

    Sylvia C.

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  2. Sylvia, I think it is a life long learning process.

    Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water.....:)

    Something else happens.

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  3. Hi Carma!

    Love your "Paradoxical Posts." I'd like to add that although you get "kicked in the teeth" occasionally - it's the exception rather than the rule. MOST of the time, when you give the world your best - the world gives you their best. When we're kicked in the teeth, perhaps it's a clue that we are meant to learn something?

    Great blog. I'll be back.

    Warmly,
    Donna Cutting

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  4. Thank you Donna,
    You are right, getting kicked in the teeth is the exception.

    I think failure is one of those things that teach us more about life than success sometimes.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Hi, Carma,

    I love your blog. You always give me something to think about.

    Suzanne
    The Working Writer's Coach
    http://www.workingwriterscoach.com

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  6. Thanks Suzanne. You have been very inspiring to me these last few months. I admire your dedication to helping others.

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