you must continue what you're doing

I'm nearly positive that Mother Teresa is an irrefutably inspiring soul. From her well-known work in Calcutta, to her creation of "The Missionaries of Charity" whose primary task is "to love and care for those persons nobody was prepared to look after," I am always overwhelmed by the compassion and contribution of this woman. 

Last Friday I had the opportunity to meet Anne Bogart, one of the most influential artists of the last 50, if not the last 100, years. During that hour at the Paramount Center in Boston, Anne shared her "favorite story." It took place in the 1970s, in New York City. Anne's good friend was convinced she was not doing "enough." Her work in theatre was not serving a big enough cause or filling an important enough need. She obsessed over Mother Teresa and wanted to do something irrefutably inspiring too. 

One day this friend of Anne Bogart was reading the paper. In it she read that Mother Teresa was visiting New York City. The article even listed times when she would be at certain places. So, of course, Anne Bogart's friend trekked to the Indian Embassy and waited. [Anne Bogart said she likes to imagine it was raining.] Sure enough, Mother Teresa came out of the building, walked down the stairs and turned onto the sidewalk. She passed right by this aspiring do-gooder. Then, Mother Teresa stopped. She turned around and approached Anne Bogart's friend. Mother Teresa looked her in the face and said "Who are you? What do you need?" The young 20-something blurted "I'm not doing enough! I work in theatre. I'm a dramaturg. But its not enough. I want to be helping people. I want to come with you to India! I want to join your work!" 

And here's the kicker- Mother Teresa didn't tell the girl she was right and invite her to join The Missionaries of Charity. She didn't affirm that India had a more significant need than the United States. Instead, Mother Teresa said this: "In my country, there is a famine of the body. In your country, there is a famine of the spirit. You must continue what you're doing."

Friday night I found out that my calling is even affirmed by Mother Teresa, winner of the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. My goodness. Anne Bogart AND Mother Teresa? In one evening? Too much.