“We, the unwilling,led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.” 

— Mother Teresa

I remember first reading that quote when I was 16. In the past years I’ve seen it quoted by army personnel, sports teams, business leaders, religious groups – seems like everyone who struggles feels this way, sometimes. I always thought it was a denigration of spirit. To me it sounds like people are enslaved to a cause rather than liberated it, and by the opportunity to Do Good.

I don’t want people who are unwilling doing anything.

I don’t want to be led by people who are unknowing. If they don’t know, at least they should believe in a cause that’s worth the struggle.

Doing the impossible for the ungrateful is a given: no one can care more than you in the act, unless they’re doing the act.

Having done so much, for so long with no resources, does qualify you with a sense of mettle and purpose but not necessarily the skills to win.

I’d like to re-write this

“We willing, led by the believing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now strong enough to face anything with nothing at all.”

Just a thought for everyone else out there. I hope you are willing, I hope you are led by leaders who believe, and I hope you struggle enough that you’re not afraid to face the impossible with no resources.