Love Matters 4: Peace, and Love, Anyway

"You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God"

One of my role models in life is Mother Teresa. The reason I admire her so much is because I believe she lived a very self-actualized life. In my opinion, self-actualization doesn't necessarily mean the attainment of material possessions. Yes, it's only human to have dreams of cars we'd love to drive and houses we'd love to live in, but how attached are we to these dreams? Suppose we never get to drive that car we really want, because maybe God has other plans for our lives? Will we still be okay with that? Do we dream to the point where our own goals become our idols? Abraham, having longed for a child for a very long time, finally got his precious gift, only for God to ask him to sacrifice his son. Are we willing to let go for God?

I also believe that one who is self-actualized lives as a spiritual being, as we were created. This, I believe, means that although we live on and within the world, we are fully aware that we are not of the world. That being said, the world was here before us. We will meet people and situations that are negative, but as humans, tempting as it may be to react to the world accordingly, we must partake of a fruit of the Spirit - peace. Just as God never changes, as carriers of His DNA, we should remain constant and at peace within, despite the irregularities without.

Lastly, the power, and greatest commandment of all, is to love. Love in thought. Love in word. Love in deed. Not because others deserve it, but because it is a requirement as heirs of His kingdom. Mother Teresa was an embodiment of all these, and one of my favorite poems that she wrote is a reminder to remain constant in myself.....

"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