Finish Every Day by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish Every Day by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt have crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with
your old nonsense.

This day is all that is
good and fair.
It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on yesterdays.

Checking the Day by Edgar Guest

Checking the Day by Edgar Guest

"I had a full day in my purse
      When I arose, and now it's gone!
I wonder if I can rehearse
      The squandered hours, one by one,
And count the minutes as I do
      The pennies and the dimes I've spent.
I've had a day, once bright and new,
      But, oh, for what few things it went!

There were twelve hours when I began,
      Good hours worth sixty minutes each,
Yet some of them so swiftly ran
      I had no time for thought or speech.
Eight of them to my task I gave,
      Glad that it did not ask for mre.
Part of the day I tried to save,
      But now I cannot say what for.

An hour I spent for idle chat,
      Gossip and scandal I confess;
No better off am I for that,
      Would I had talked a little less.
I watched steel workers bolt a beam,
      What time that cost I don't recall.
How very short the minutes seem
      When they are spent on trifles small.

Quite empty is my purse to-night
      Which held at dawn a twelve-hour day,
For all of it has taken flight—
      Part wisely spent, part thrown away.
I did my task and earned its gain,
      But checking deeds with what they cost,
Two missing hours I can't explain,
      They must be charges as lost."

Sermons We See by Edgar Guest

Sermons We See by Edgar Guest

"I'd rather see a sermon
     than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
     than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
     and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
     but example's always clear;

And the best of all preachers
     are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
     is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it
     if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
     but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
     may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
     by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
     and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
     how you act and how you live."

Everything I Needed by Julie Hebert

 Everything I Needed, by Julie Hebert

Everything I needed,
I asked for in my prayers.
My prayers were always answered,
In many different pairs.
 
I asked God for some courage,
And he answered with a hum.
He gave me some dangers,
That I would overcome.
 
I asked God for some strength,
And he answered with a wrong.
He gave me some difficulties,
That would make me strong.
 
I asked God for some patience,
And he answered with a date.
He gave me some situations,
That I was forced to wait.
 
I asked God for love,
And he answered with throw.
He gave me lots of people,
That I could get to know.
 
I received nothing that I wanted,
Only that of which I need.
My prayers have all been answered,
With only a single plead.

A Poem of Hope, Catherine Pulsifer

 A Poem of Hope, Catherine Pulsifer

When life is getting you down,
And you need a little hope.
Look deep down inside yourself,
And you'll find the way to cope.
 
When life is getting you down,
And you need a little love.
Go to the person whom you are the closest,
As the rest they are above.
 
When life is getting you down,
And all you need is a laugh.
Find the friend that makes you smile,
They may even be your staff.
 
When life is getting you down,
Don't allow it so.
Change the way you think of life,
And life will be better, you know.
 
When life is getting you down,
Take time to pray
Don't allow yourself to frown
God will help you see the good in the day.

Don’t Give Up

Don’t Give Up, Unknown Author

Don’t let today’s troubles
Bring you down,
Or allow you to question
Your ability
 
Don’t let life’s little obstacles
Keep you from trying,
Or become the reason
For defeat
 
Don’t let your fears
Keep you from dreaming,
Or from chasing
your dream
 
Don’t give up for any reason
Believe in yourself,
And in yourself
You’ll find strength

Be True To You, Author Unknown

Be True To You, Author Unknown

As you set out on life’s road
unsure of the path you’ll go,
the most important thing you can do
is to always be true to “you”
 
Always remember who you are
in moments of struggle or fear.
Never forget or give up on
the hopes and dreams you hold dear
 
There will be setbacks and rejection
and moments of failure too,
but you must overcome any frustration
to achieve the potential of you.
 
Don’t forget to smile, or laugh,
or to live in the present;
no matter where life takes you
make every memory pleasant.
 
As you travel along your journey,
know that you’re never alone
and I’ll always be here for you
should you need the comfort of home

The Dash by Linda Ellis

The Dash  by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
 
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
 
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
 
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
 
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
 
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
 And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
 
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile, 
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
 
So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash 
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Life Is Precious

Life Is Precious

Life is so precious
And each day a gift
So enjoy every minute
As it were you last to live
 
Cherish your loved ones
Hug them tight
Share with them your heart
And your time
 
Nothing is forever
And life goes so fast
Each minute that passes
Is one you can’t get back
 
When troubles arrive
And knock you off your feet
Stand up and smile
And remember life is too sweet
 
Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That “Today will be a good day”
And let it all in with an open heart

Be Someone, Author Unknown

Be Someone, Author Unknown

Be Someone beautiful on the inside
because that’s what really counts
Be Someone wonderful in all you do;
it isn’t what you do
but how it’s carried out
Be Someone noble
because it’s courageous and strong
Be Someone loyal
because it shows that you value those you love
Be Someone gracious
it allows others to see the tender side of you
Be Someone considerate
because it’s the kind thing to do
Be Someone that makes a difference
in the lives you come across
Be Someone that matters
to all those you love
Be Someone that stands for all these things
and enjoy all the gifts that life will surely bring