Sunday Musings – October 27, 2019
It has been a week of doing all I can to be present as new and old friends faced life on life terms or fell into the trap of old messages which told them to run by numbing themselves out. Yet even falling back into negative behavior becomes another opportunity to stop and change course; to accept that we are all human and often have to own our mistakes, learn from them and move on.
The week culminated in attending the Gateway Medical Society annual gala and awards ceremony in Pittsburgh at the invitation of my friend Dr. Marv McGowan who, along with his partner keep giving back to the community. The Gateway Medical Society has a proud history of taking care of and mentoring each other which began when African American doctors and nurses were not allowed to see Caucasian patients. Now the organization mentors a number of African American males beginning when young men are in 6th grade. They also award scholarships and other support to medical students. The members are leaders in their communities often providing services to those who would otherwise not get the services all need for physical, emotional and spiritual health.My brief remarks do not begin to describe the work the members of this organization do to “minister to” the needs of the body and souls of their patients and each other. It is indeed a ministry and not just a job.As always I left this gala feeling humbled, inspired and energized.One of the last speakers, Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, M.Ed, MPPM, who was given a lifetime achievement award shared the poem which is frequently attributed to Mother Theresa, Anyway. This poem sums up the walk that backs up the talk of the members of this organization. We would all do well to heed the advice contained therein.Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem
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.
[Reportedly inscribed on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta, and attributed to her. However, an article in the New York Times has since reported (March 8, 2002) that the original version of this poem was written by Kent M. Keith.]
Written October 27, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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