This week, I couldn’t help but reflect on my time in college. I think that college is an especially weird time in our lives, because in one day I can feel happy, sad, depressed, excited, and then just plain mad. Now If you are like me, every single person you know will tell you college is “the best four years of your life.” I firmly believe that, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to be happy all of the time.
There is a St. Mother Theresa quote that I truly believe exemplifies how we should live our lives. It goes through many things you experience in college and in the world after, which I truly look at as a reminder that we are called to do so much more than what we are doing now. It’s okay to be sad and have bad days, but if we live our lives thinking that those days make us unworthy we are going to end up living our whole lives believing a lie. So, here is the quote, along with some commentary by yours truly, on how to really live out our faith and our happiness in college.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
Professors, staff, peers, and even friends sometimes have bad days, just like us. They may just be downright rude sometimes. It’s important to forgive them. Just as we have those bad days, we cannot expect others to not do the same. Jesus in the bible loves everyone, not just his followers. Forgive people, always.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
Just do it. Life is so much better when you see the good in people. Sure, other people may think you’re only doing it to get ahead in life, but making other people feel good is one of my favorite things to do. You truly never know what other people are going through. Be kind, not just for yourself, but for all of the others people around you. You personally many not be able to make the whole world better, but you sure can make the world better for a few people.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
Growing up, we are usually taught, whether indirectly or directly, to either announce our successes, or keep those to ourselves. Sometimes when we do share our success, people will not feel the same way as you. That’s okay. People may try to befriend you, to get more ahead in life. That’s okay, too. Do what you can in the world, and do not worry too much about how other people feel about it. The true friends will find you.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
Be honest, no matter what. You might be afraid of what other people will say, you might think you will be judged. It is so much better to tell the truth than to live in lies. Lies within yourself, or lies about others, being honest feels so much better than making something up.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
This can be taken literally, as in someone actually destroys something you have worked so hard for. But it can also be taken as spiritually. You might spend tons of time working on a better life for yourself, only to have one thing ruin it. You may become so close with friends, only to have one-person change that for everyone. The bottom line is to do it anyway. Life really is about the journey, isn’t it?
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
I cannot say it enough. Be Happy, Anyways. Other people are always going to have different opinions than you, others will judge you, but that is not an excuse to go around thinking your life isn’t great. There are so many reasons to be happy in the world, and if you waste your time on what other people think, your letting yourself down and God down. He did, after all, want us to be happy.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Do good in the world. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, pick up something the person in front of you dropped, open doors, pay it forward, smile. All of these won’t get you fame, but will make you feel good. I am always one to say that making other people happy makes me happy too, so try it! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
This can be in sports, school, or just life in general. Sometimes, our best will never be enough. But that is never an excuse to stop trying. Give life all that you have, and while it may not be enough in some aspects like winning a game, or getting an A on a test, you might find a different type of success. The world is full of surprises, so go after what you want!
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway. -- St. Mother Theresa
At the end of the age, it will be You, and God. So, why try and live for other people? I am absolutely not saying not to care for other people, but do not ever let them get in the way of your relationship with God. Once we substitute this earthly world for the heavenly world God desires for us, we start living a life that can never fulfill true happiness. So, forgive them anyway, give your best anyway, be happy anyways, and I promise you will live this life filled with joy. Joy from others, Joy from yourself, and most importantly, Joy from God.
“Do not conform yourself to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Romans 12:2
