I really don't consider myself a "vain" person, but in a way, I am.  We all are.  We think of ourselves always, and everything that goes on around us is seen in the context of "me".  It will always be "me, me, me" with an occasional putting someone else in your thoughts ahead of yourself, for I am - you are - human.  That comes with the territory.  There are many more me's than there are Mother Theresas'.  To be a "Mother Theresa" one must put the "me" at the end of the story.  One must be willing to live among the very poorest of society with all of it's anguish and violence and stench and be able to embrace that lifestyle in order to raise a few up above it.  That is true sacrifice, total, giving, God-like, and few of the human race who are born outside of that realm will venture into it to lay their own life down for that of their more unfortunate brother and sister.  Mother Theresa was such a one.  Could I do it?  Could you?

"Mother Theresa's Prayer"

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.

This poweful message of Mother Theresa is inscribed on the wall of her Childrens Home in Calcutta.

"We can do no great things - only small things with great love."     --     Mother Theresa

"Mother Theresa's Prayer"

"If you see me on the street, or sitting in front of a store, or walking down the sidewalk, please don't look away so that you don't have to meet my eyes.  I know what I must look like to you, and that shames me, but I am proud regardless.  I once belonged to somebody.  I was once somebody's baby, once somebody's love...I haven't always been like this.  I know I look raggedy, and I may smell bad to you, but please don't look away when you see me.  I might be hungry, or I just might need a friendly word to acknowledge that I am still a part of the human race.  Please...I was once like you."