an important quote

I was watching a quick TED talk today on living life for a resumé or for a eulogy. Towards the end of the talk, the speaker gave us this quote, from Reinhold Neibuhr in his 1952 book The Irony of American History.

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, could be accomplish alone; therefore, we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint; therefore, we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.

Sometimes we get swept up into trying to create every moment so that it is perfect, to write every relationship fit for a Hollywood premier, and to accomplish everything at once. But it's important to remember that a it is just one moment, one person, and every step on the road to accomplishment that should be cherished. Realize that it's the journey we're on -- the journey that we have been on -- that pushes us forward and teaches us new lessons about ourselves and the people around us. The past teaches us hope, faith, love, and forgiveness though trial and error of the journey that we are all on.