Timely Message

At the Arizona School Board Association conference in December, there were two of the most inspiration speakers I have ever heard. Dr. Kent Keith was one of them. He wrote this when he was 19 years old. His words have been used by many influential people over the years. I truly believe in what he says and this has been tested recently. My last post was very timely with some events that happened this past week. I just want to share them as I believe they are very powerful. The other speaker was incredible also. She is probably "the most inspirational speaker I have ever heard!" I will post more about her later. In the meantime, these words are what I believe we all need to live by. I am keeping the wonderful song by Rascal Flatts on this post. Please listen to the words of this song!!!

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

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.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

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

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001