Get on Fiji Time and Do It Anyway

A few years ago I came across a poem that I fell in love with. It speaks to my soul, makes me joyful, fills my eyes with tears, and encourages me to be better.

In the words of Mother Teresa:

"Do It Anyway"

People are often unreasonable, irrational, 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 unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.

It was never between you and them anyway.

These words are so full of wisdom and genuine love for God and people. "Do it anyway." What a simple thought that is anything but easy to live out. I don't know about you, but I find that there are times my emotions just block out all reason. If I get mad, I don't want to be nice. If I get hurt, I don't want to forgive. If something bad happens to my family, I don't want to do good so that someone else can succeed. I just don't WANT to. That's where the Holy Spirit steps in. He gently encourages me to "do it anyway." I've discovered the closer I am to God, the more often I hear the Holy Spirit. The more I am in tune with the Trinity (God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit). I've also learned that the more I find myself hearing God, the more I want to hear God. It just soothes my soul and gives me peace.

The picture I've included with today's thought is one I took when visiting one of my "happy places." Fiji. You will probably hear us talk about Fiji often because it is one of our absolute favorite places ever. I wish everyone had an opportunity to visit this country. Let me tell you a little about it. The people of Fiji don't have alot monetarily. In fact, when we told them we owned cattle, they thought we were rich and started trying to sell us expensive jewelry. Us!! Bless their hearts. Know what they do have? A deep appreciation for life and what God has given them. The people in the villages we visited took their time. They didn't rush around. That isn't to say they didn't work. They worked hard, but had a joy about them as they did. They smiled, laughed, joked and were just plain happy. We saw two men digging a ditch by hand with shovels at the resort, and every time we passed them, they were smiling. Know what else? That was the best looking ditch I have ever seen. I'm not kidding. It was perfect. Did you know you can enjoy digging a ditch? Those men did. They worked hard, did an excellent job and were happy about it. I saw it in their faces and heard it in their voices.

Do you know the only clock we saw in our entire resort was in the lobby? In fact, we didn't see many clocks anywhere we went. I don't remember seeing anyone with a watch either. Think about that. Very few clocks and happy people. Coincidence? I think not. We discovered that in this wonderful place, you just enjoyed life and did what you were supposed to do. Jeremy and I started saying the people were "on Fiji time." It's a philosophy we attempt to include in our life now. When we start feeling stressed, we will say, "We need some Fiji time." That means we just need to slow down and relax. Not necessarily putting our feet up and going to the beach, but just taking a breath and slowing down enough to enjoy things in life even when we're working. (Although, I am a BIG fan of going to the beach!)

So what does "Fiji time" have to do with "Do It Anyway?" First of all, these two things are sometimes difficult for me. Too many times I get so busy and have so many things crammed into my schedule that it puts me on edge. I get frustrated easily because the slightest thing can knock me off MY schedule and ruin my day. That allows my emotions to get out of control so much easier. That means I don't want to do it anyway. Are you like that, too? Do you just need to slow down so you can enjoy life more and hear God? If this sound like you, remember me. I encourage you to get on Fiji time and do it anyway.

-Kadie