Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments [Paperback]

Kent M. Keith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2008

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....
— from the Paradoxical Commandments

Dr. Kent Keith published the Paradoxical Commandments as part of a book he wrote for student leaders in the 1960s when he was an undergraduate at Harvard. These maxims for finding meaning in the face of adversity took on a life of their own, making their way into countless speeches, advice columns, books, institutions, and homes around the world. They were even found on the wall of Mother Teresa’s children’s home in Calcutta. They became the basis of Keith’s bestselling book Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments.

Do It Anyway expands on the vision behind the Paradoxical Commandments. It includes forty stories of people who live the commandments each day and gives you the examples, tools, and encouragement to find personal meaning and deep happiness, no matter who you are or what your circumstances, even when times are tough.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; First Trade Paper Edition edition (May 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577316282
• ISBN-13: 978-1577316282
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,609 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 24, 2009

By 

Sherry Mccormick "sherry" (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments (Paperback)

This book is excellemt. It motivated me to "Do it anyway" I read it within a week and really enjoyed it. This is the 2nd book that I have read by Keith and I plan on reading more.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide Book for Meaningful Living, June 10, 2008

By 

Deanna Joseph "www.deannasrealm.com" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments (Paperback)

People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered. Love them anyway. From the book (the first paradoxical commandment).

Sometimes it seems like there is just so much wrong in the world that nothing we can do will make a difference. In Kent M. Keith's book "Do It Anyway" he shows us that one small person can make a difference; one small person can be the change through living the paradoxical commandments.

Mr. Keith wrote the paradoxical commandments back in the 1960's while attending college. Over the years they gained world-wide popularity; they have circulated over the internet, and you've probably been the receiver of them many times.

"Give the world your best and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world your best anyway." From the book (the tenth paradoxical commandment).

This is a sweet little book, and can easily be read in a day or two. I really enjoyed Mr. Keith's writing style, which was very inspirational. The book is also filled with touching personal stories and questions that help the reader to think about how living the paradoxical commandments can bring more meaning and happiness into their lives and the world around them.

Sometimes we forget to give our best. It happens to all of us. But when we get to the point where we are taking the easy way out rather than doing what's right, we are off our path, and most likely just getting by rather than living a life filled with meaning. By following the paradoxical commandments, we gain a sense of personal self-worth, and find our lives filled with meaning and happiness.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, October 1, 2009

By 

Dirtgirl74 (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Do It Anyway: Finding Personal Meaning and Deep Happiness by Living the Paradoxical Commandments (Paperback)

I purchased this book in hopes that it would be an uplifting reading experience. While everything in the "commandments" are positive thoughts to employ, I personally have not been able to attain any sort of "meaning and deep happiness" by living them. Well before I purchased this book, I did just those things that Keith recommended in the "commandments". However, I am still waiting for the "deep happiness" to follow. Sadly, all the book did for me was cement the feelings I have that living a good life is not enough. I have lived the "commandments" and will continue to live them, but do not expect any great meaning or happiness to occur because of it. Humanity as Keith knew it is no longer alive.