On September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was officially recognized as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. In her lifetime St. Teresa of Calcutta as she was now known, formed a religious order known as the Missionaries of Charity, with the goal of reaching out to the poorest of the poor in our world. Still active today, the order consists of over 4,500 religious sisters living this same mission. Although she died in 1997, the teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta still speak about what it means to love your neighbor and be a better person. Here are five things I have learned from St. Teresa of Calcutta:
1. Fight for your dreams
As a college student, it is easy to get discouraged when you don't succeed in a class or secure a job you applied for. St. Teresa of Calcutta faced similar opposition in her life when she worked to form her religious order. She even went so far as to reach out to the Pope, the worldwide leader of the Catholic church. It may not always be easy, but if you desire it enough it's worth fighting for.
2. You won't always be happy
In life we are often told "do what makes you happy." While happiness is something to strive for, there will be times of doubt and perhaps even despair. St. Teresa of Calcutta experienced what she referred to as a "dark night of the soul" throughout much of her adult life, where she felt disconnected from God. This did not stop her from fulfilling her mission however. Imagine if she had given up the first time she doubted her work. College won't always be fun. There may be times when everything seems to be going wrong, but the important thing is to push through and focus on your goals.
3. You won't always be well liked.
When St. Teresa of Calcutta first began her work in India, she was constantly ridiculed, criticized, and even threatened. People didn't understand why this tiny Albanian nun was entering their schools, and hospitals. Her work was not always appreciated, but she did it anyway. In college, you might have a professor who hates a paper that you wrote or a project that you completed, but the important thing is to try hard and have pride in your work.
4. You won't always be rewarded.
One of my favorite stories about St. Teresa of Calcutta was when she was being interviewed by a reporter while working on a leprosy patient. As the reported saw Mother Teresa clean the patient's open sores he commented, "I wouldn't do that for a million dollars." Mother Teresa responded, "Neither would I." Understand that your hard work might not always be rewarded, but do it anyway. Go the extra mile to help a friend or classmate, even if they are unable to return the favor.
5. Love your neighbor.
In a world where people are offended by everything, it can be hard to love. St. Teresa of Calcutta made it her mission to serve the poorest of the poor and give them love that they otherwise would not receive. In the cutthroat world of college, it can be difficult to love. Make it your goal to make someone else's day extra special.
While it is highly likely that any one of us will actually become the next St. Teresa of Calcutta, she is an ideal model for what it means to be a part of the human race. Working hard, trying your best and loving one another, are lessons anyone can follow.
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love."
-St. Teresa of Calcutta
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