On Good Deeds and Success

Image by Quasifly via Flickr

A situation happened recently that has made my heart break.  Out of nowhere, it seems, I learned that someone bore false witness against me.  After sitting with what was said about me for a few days, I have come to realize that the next two Paradoxical Commandments speak directly to this situation.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.  Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

How many times have you heard about someone who has done something good for others, only to have someone else say, "Ya, well, I heard that person did such and such awful thing," effectively killing the positive energy of the good deed?  Or, have you ever heard of someone succeeding, for instance, getting a new position in work, only to hear coworkers, people that, to this person's face, are all smiles and congratulations, whispering about how the person who got the new position leaves early or takes extra long lunches or drinks too much? 

What is someone to do?   According to Dr. Kent Keith...keep on keeping on!  Do good anyway...succeed anyway.  

This is a challenge.  I certainly could give up, throw my hands in the air and say, "Forget it!  I don't need this aggravation."

However, who do I hurt?  Not the person who has hurt me; rather, I hurt myself and those I would be helping.  

Trust me, making the decision to continue moving forward has not changed how I feel.  My heart is still broken.  I feel sad that someone would lie about me for no apparent reason.  But, like the aches and pains that come with old age, I know that if I keep moving, things will get better...the pain will lessen.

May we all strive to do good and succeed, knowing that what truly matters is not the accolades, but the service we have given to others.

Namasté!