"A Simple Path..."

I've recently been reflecting on my personal relationships with friends. I came across these words of wisdom by Mother Theresa:

"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 God;
It was never between you and them anyway."

— Mother Teresa, A Simple Path

I have found these verses very true and applicable in my life. Recently, someone I would consider a good friend, accused me of being insincere and manipulative. I always thought that those around me knew me best... but for her to be so off kilter in her analysis of me, quite frankly shocked me. Why did things change so quickly? How can someone be so wrong, but not realize it? More importantly, how can I transform this situation into a peaceful one?

I have a background in conflict resolution and through this personal conflict I have realized that meditation is better than mediation. I prayer to God and trust that He will direct my life. I plan to always give the world (my family and friends) the best I have, even if it may never be enough and I plan to be kind even if people accuse me of selfish, ulterior motives. Because, as Mother Theresa says, in the final analysis, it is only between me and God.