“Do It Anyway”: The Power of Living by Higher Laws in a Messy World

By Alan Lowis.

Inspired by Mother Teresa's wall in Calcutta, and adapted from the Paradoxical Commandments

Navigating Life with Grace, No Matter What

Life is truly beautiful. But let’s be honest: it’s also messy. Unpredictable. And can be Unfair.

The world will misunderstand you. Your kindness may be mocked.Your honesty might be twisted. Your dreams may be crushed by people who gave up on their own. And your best efforts… might still not be enough for some.

Do it anyway.

That’s the heart of The 13 Paradoxical Commandments—

a call to live from your soul, not your circumstances.

A call to choose love, truth, joy, and goodness…

even when the world doesn’t return it.

Even when people don’t notice.

Even when it hurts.

Because the moment you live by these higher laws—not for approval, but because they reflect who you are—you find something deeper than success.

You find peace.

You find freedom.

You find yourself.

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The 13 Commandments - "Do it Anyway"

People are often illogical and unkind. Love them anyway.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

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

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

Your big ideas may be shot down by the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you try to help.

Help people anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

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

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. 

It was never between you and them anyway.

The Paradoxical Commandments for a Meaningful Life

These are not instructions for people who want an easy life.

They are a path for the brave—

For those who want to live with purpose, integrity, and love… even when the world doesn’t make it easy.

Each line of this timeless reflection dares us to rise above the noise,to act from our highest self instead of our wounded one.

Below, you'll find real-world stories—proof that this kind of living is not only possible,but transformational.

These are the people who loved anyway,

forgave anyway,

kept going anyway—

and in doing so, changed their world… and ours.

1. People are often illogical and unkind. Love them anyway.

Example: Mister Rogers

Fred Rogers built his life around kindness, even when it wasn’t returned. When critics mocked him, when the media dismissed his work, and when angry voices filled the culture—he stayed soft. He loved people anyway. Not because they were always kind, but because he believed every person had value, even when they forgot it themselves.

Insight & Wisdom:

To love in a world that often misunderstands or mistreats is an act of quiet courage. Real love doesn’t wait for people to deserve it—it shows up anyway, because that’s who you choose to be.

2. People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

Example: The Dalai Lama

After being exiled from Tibet as a young man, the Dalai Lama watched his homeland fall under oppression—its temples destroyed, its people imprisoned or displaced. Yet, he never responded with hate. He forgave those responsible, saying, “They, too, are human beings… likely acting from fear.” He continues to teach compassion and forgiveness, even for those who have caused immense harm.

Insight & Wisdom:

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or approving. It means refusing to let others’ fear, selfishness, or ignorance turn you bitter. Even in the face of cruelty, you can choose forgiveness.

3. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

Example: Princess Diana

Throughout her life, Princess Diana was relentlessly scrutinized by the media. Her kindness—hugging AIDS patients, visiting landmine victims, comforting the sick—was often met with cynicism. Some accused her of being performative or attention-seeking. But she kept showing up. Her compassion changed global attitudes and brought humanity to places of deep suffering.

Insight & Wisdom:

When your kindness is questioned, don’t let doubt stop you. The world may misread your motives—but kindness, when real, leaves a mark deeper than suspicion can reach.

4. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

Example: Abraham Lincoln

Known as "Honest Abe," Lincoln upheld integrity even in politics, where deception is often rewarded. As a young store clerk, he once walked several miles to return a few cents he had overcharged a customer. As president, he stayed honest amid a divided and chaotic nation. His honesty didn’t protect him from betrayal—but it built a legacy of trust and moral clarity that endures.

Insight & Wisdom:

Honesty may not shield you from being wronged, but it keeps your soul clean and your conscience light. Others may cheat you—but if you cheat yourself, the loss is far greater.

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

Example: Oprah Winfrey

Born into poverty and hardship, Oprah became one of the most influential women in the world. As her success grew, so did criticism, gossip, and betrayal. Yet she stayed focused—building a media empire, elevating others, and using her platform for good. She didn’t chase approval. She stayed true to her purpose.

Insight & Wisdom:

Success can stir up insecurity in others. Some will misunderstand you. Some will judge you. Some will try to tear you down because they can’t rise up themselves. But you’re not here to be accepted by all—you’re here to be authentic. Let their noise be background. Stay anchored in your values, and let your light do the talking. Shine anyway.

6. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

Example: Bob Ross

Beloved now for his calming presence and joyful spirit, Bob Ross’s painting show was met with jealousy and mockery when it first aired. Not everyone took him seriously—some dismissed his art as childish, laughed at him, and some, driven by jealousy and pettiness, turned his quiet joy into something to ridicule. Still, Ross didn’t waver. He kept showing up, sharing joy, and smiling through it all. His happiness was real—and contagious. With his gentle voice and “happy little trees,” he brought peace and joy into millions of homes.

Insight & Wisdom: 

True joy can threaten those who haven't found their own. But happiness shared is a gift. Be happy anyway.

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

Example: Keanu Reeves 

Keanu Reeves is celebrated not only for his film career, but for his quiet authenticity. Despite facing immense personal tragedy—including the loss of his child and the death of his partner—he’s remained open, kind, and remarkably grounded. He speaks honestly about grief, loneliness, and the importance of compassion, without drama or self-pity. He lives simply, avoids the spotlight when he can, and shares truth with humility.

Insight & Wisdom:

Being real doesn’t mean being authentic and vulnerable. At times, you can and should speak openly—even about deep pain—with dignity and grace. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s courage in its truest form. When you’re honest and frank, you don’t just reveal yourself—you give others permission to show themselves and the power to heal.

8. Your big ideas may be shot down by the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

Example: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was famously fired from the company he founded. Critics called him difficult, unrealistic, even impossible. But he didn’t shrink his vision. He thought even bigger—and returned to Apple to revolutionize the world with the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. His ideas changed how we live.

Insight & Wisdom:

Visionaries are often dismissed before they're celebrated. People with small imaginations can’t always see the future you’re building. That’s okay. Think big anyway. The world only moves forward when someone dares to imagine what it could become.

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

Example: Thomas Edison

After a lifetime of invention, Edison faced a devastating blow in 1914 when a massive fire consumed his research and factory complex. Years of work—gone in hours. His response? He told his son, “Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.” Then, the very next day, he began rebuilding. Within weeks, he was inventing again—undaunted, undeterred.

Insight & Wisdom:

True builders build from within. What the world burns down, the soul can rebuild. So build anyway.

10. People really need help but may attack you if you try to help. Help people anyway.

Example: Erin Brockovich

When Erin Brockovich began uncovering the truth about water contamination in Hinkley, California, the very people she was trying to help often met her with suspicion, anger, or fear. Many were too hurt, too afraid, or too disillusioned to trust anyone. Yet she didn’t give up. With grit, heart, and relentless determination, she kept showing up. Her compassion and courage turned resistance into trust—and helped bring justice and healing to hundreds.

Insight & Wisdom:

People in pain may push you away—even when you’re helping. Don’t let their fear stop your love. Help anyway.

11. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Example: Oskar Schindler & Countless Other Heroic Souls

Schindler was a businessman who risked everything to save over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust—spending his fortune, forging documents, bribing officials, and putting his life on the line. After the war, he died nearly penniless and was largely forgotten by the world. Only decades later, through Schindler’s List, did his heroism become widely known. And for every Schindler we know… there are thousands whose names we never will know—who also saved lives and who also changed the world for the better.

Insight & Wisdom:

Public recognition may never come. You might not even receive thanks. But quiet goodness still changes the world in ways that matter most. We don’t do it to be remembered—we do it because it’s right. Do good anyway.

12. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

Example: Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh poured his soul into more than 2,000 works of art—paintings full of light, color, emotion, and spirit. Yet during his lifetime, he sold only one. He struggled with rejection, mental illness, and poverty, but never gave up on his art.. The world didn’t understand him nor recognize his genius. But he kept painting. He gave everything he had because he was called to create beauty, regardless of who noticed.

Insight & Wisdom:

Sometimes your best won’t be seen, accepted, or understood. But your gift is not wasted. The world may seem to be saying you’re not enough. But bringing your gift to life is enough. Greatness often goes unrecognized in its time—but it’s still greatness. Give your best anyway.

13. In the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Example: Mother Teresa

She spent her life tending to those the world had cast aside—the sick, the dying, the forgotten. She was not met with universal praise. Some questioned her, misunderstood her, even criticized her methods. And yet she loved. She served. She showed up, again and again, even when those she helped resisted her, even when the world failed to understand.

Insight & Wisdom:

You may never be thanked. You may be misunderstood, judged, or ignored. The people you help may resist you. The world may not acknowledge your effort. But your purpose was never about applause. It was never about ease. It was never between you and them.

It has always been between you and your Creator… your conscience… your calling.

You were made to love.

To give.

To serve.

To build.

To forgive

To uplift

To shine

To speak truth.

To be light in the dark.

To heal a world that needs you and your gifts.

Not because it’s easy.

Not because others deserve it.

Not because it will always work.

But because it’s who you are.

So when others are unkind—love anyway.

When they’re unreasonable—forgive anyway.

When they misunderstand, resist, or tear down what you’re building—build anyway.

When no one sees the good you do—do good anyway.

When your best feels unseen or not enough—give it anyway.

Because you are enough. And your goodness matters.

Even if no one ever knows but you… and the One who made you.

Do good anyway.

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If this moved you, share it.

Send this page to someone who’s doing good anyway—in spite of the challenges.

Send it to someone who’s struggling to keep going in a world that doesn’t always make it easy.

You never know whose spirit it might lift—

Or whose courage it might renew.

Because even the smallest act of goodness… can echo through eternity.