Life’s Mirror
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your work and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And the smile which is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thought outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
’Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have
And the best will come back to you.
By Madeline S. Bridges
The above poem is sometimes summarized and paraphrased as:
“Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” -Madeline Bridges (1844 - 1920)
Madeline S. Bridges is a pseudonym of Mary Ainge De Vere, who was born in 1844 in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. She was the daughter of Thomas Ainge and Margaret (McIntyre) De Vyr, both of whom were natives of Donegal, Ireland before immigrating to America. Her father was a newspaper owner and editor in New York. She had her first poem published in a New York daily newspaper at 14 years of age. Her verses appeared in magazines including “Littell’s Living Age,” “The Century,” “Harper’s,” “Frank Leslie’s,” and “Lippincott’s.” She was a humorist and her squibs, jokes, dialogues, and light verse were published in “Puck,” “Life,” “Judge,” and the humor columns of nearly all American periodicals of the time. Her best-known serious poems include “The Quiet House,” “The Brook,” “Life’s Mirror,” “We Two,” and “Good-bye, Sweetheart.” At about 26 years of age in 1870, she had a collection of poems titled “Love Songs and Other Poems” published, and at about 59 years of age in 1903, she had a collection of poems titled, “The Wind-Swept Wheat” published. Mary Ainge De Vere resided in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America her whole life, and passed on at about 76 years of age on 6 August 1920.
There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your work and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And the smile which is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds from your thought outborne
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave,
’Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have
And the best will come back to you.
By Madeline S. Bridges
The above poem is sometimes summarized and paraphrased as:
“Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.” -Madeline Bridges (1844 - 1920)
Madeline S. Bridges is a pseudonym of Mary Ainge De Vere, who was born in 1844 in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. She was the daughter of Thomas Ainge and Margaret (McIntyre) De Vyr, both of whom were natives of Donegal, Ireland before immigrating to America. Her father was a newspaper owner and editor in New York. She had her first poem published in a New York daily newspaper at 14 years of age. Her verses appeared in magazines including “Littell’s Living Age,” “The Century,” “Harper’s,” “Frank Leslie’s,” and “Lippincott’s.” She was a humorist and her squibs, jokes, dialogues, and light verse were published in “Puck,” “Life,” “Judge,” and the humor columns of nearly all American periodicals of the time. Her best-known serious poems include “The Quiet House,” “The Brook,” “Life’s Mirror,” “We Two,” and “Good-bye, Sweetheart.” At about 26 years of age in 1870, she had a collection of poems titled “Love Songs and Other Poems” published, and at about 59 years of age in 1903, she had a collection of poems titled, “The Wind-Swept Wheat” published. Mary Ainge De Vere resided in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America her whole life, and passed on at about 76 years of age on 6 August 1920.
Start Where You Stand
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won’t help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that’s enough, you’re done with it, you’re through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don’t give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won’t care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day’s the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history,
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned;
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
By Berton Braley
Berton Braley was born on 29 January 1882 in Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America. He became a local newspaper reporter in Butte, Montana and in New York City, New York. He later worked as an international correspondent in Europe and Asia for several newspapers and magazines. During his lifetime, he was a well-known writer and poet. Berton Braley passed on at 83 years of age on 23 January 1966 in Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won’t help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that’s enough, you’re done with it, you’re through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don’t give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won’t care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day’s the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history,
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned;
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
By Berton Braley
Berton Braley was born on 29 January 1882 in Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America. He became a local newspaper reporter in Butte, Montana and in New York City, New York. He later worked as an international correspondent in Europe and Asia for several newspapers and magazines. During his lifetime, he was a well-known writer and poet. Berton Braley passed on at 83 years of age on 23 January 1966 in Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States of America.
You Never Know
You never know when someone
might catch a dream from you.
Or something you say
may open up the windows
of a mind that seeks light;
The way you live may not matter at all,
But you never know, it might.
And just in case it could be
that another’s life, through you,
might possibly change for the better
with a better and brighter view,
it seems it might be worth a try
at pointing the way to the right;
Of course, it may not matter at all,
but then again, it might.
By Author Unknown
You never know when someone
might catch a dream from you.
Or something you say
may open up the windows
of a mind that seeks light;
The way you live may not matter at all,
But you never know, it might.
And just in case it could be
that another’s life, through you,
might possibly change for the better
with a better and brighter view,
it seems it might be worth a try
at pointing the way to the right;
Of course, it may not matter at all,
but then again, it might.
By Author Unknown
What Kind of Day Shall I Choose Today?
Today I can complain about my health,
Or I can celebrate being alive.
Today I can moan that it is raining,
Or be joyful at all that grows from the rain.
Today I can regret all I don’t have,
Or rejoice in everything I do.
Today I can mourn everything I have lost,
Or eagerly anticipate what’s to come.
Today I can complain that I have to work,
Or celebrate having a job to go to.
Today I can resent the mess the kids make,
Or give thanks that I have a family.
Today I can whine about the housework,
Or celebrate having a home.
Today I can cry over those who don’t care for me,
Or be happy loving and being loved by those who do.
I choose to have a good day!
By Author Unknown
Today I can complain about my health,
Or I can celebrate being alive.
Today I can moan that it is raining,
Or be joyful at all that grows from the rain.
Today I can regret all I don’t have,
Or rejoice in everything I do.
Today I can mourn everything I have lost,
Or eagerly anticipate what’s to come.
Today I can complain that I have to work,
Or celebrate having a job to go to.
Today I can resent the mess the kids make,
Or give thanks that I have a family.
Today I can whine about the housework,
Or celebrate having a home.
Today I can cry over those who don’t care for me,
Or be happy loving and being loved by those who do.
I choose to have a good day!
By Author Unknown
Success
Success is speaking words of praise,
In cheering other people’s ways,
In doing just the best you can,
With every task and every plan,
It’s silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor’s curt,
It’s deafness when the scandal flows,
And sympathy with others’ woes,
It’s loyalty when duty calls,
It’s courage when disaster falls,
It’s patience when the hours are long,
It’s found in laughter and in song,
It’s in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair,
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.
By Author Unknown
Success is speaking words of praise,
In cheering other people’s ways,
In doing just the best you can,
With every task and every plan,
It’s silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor’s curt,
It’s deafness when the scandal flows,
And sympathy with others’ woes,
It’s loyalty when duty calls,
It’s courage when disaster falls,
It’s patience when the hours are long,
It’s found in laughter and in song,
It’s in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair,
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.
By Author Unknown
As I Go On My Way
My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done
Leave countless marks for good or ill ere¹ sets this evening sun.
Shall fair or foul its imprint prove, on those my life shall hail?
Shall blessing my impress be, or shall a blight prevail?
When to the last great reckoning the lives I meet must go,
Shall this ever, fleeting touch of mine have added joy or woe?
Shall He who looks their records o’er² - of name and time and place
Say ‘Here a blessed influence came’ or ‘Here is evil’s trace’?
From out each point of contact of my life with other lives
Flows ever that which helps the one who for the summit strives,
The troubled souls encountered - does it sweeten with its touch,
Or does it more embitter those embittered overmuch?
Does love in every handclasp flow in sympathy’s caress?
Do those that I have greeted know a newborn hopefulness?
Are tolerance and charity the keynote of my song
As I go plodding onward with earth’s eager, anxious throng?
My life shall touch a million lives in some way ere¹ I go
From this dear world of struggle to the land I do not know.
So this the wish I always wish, the prayer I ever pray:
Let my life help the other lives it touches by the way.
By Strickland Gillilan
¹ere: before.
²o’er: over.
A shorter version of the poem also exists, as follows.
My Influence
My life shall touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done,
Leave countless marks of good or ill,
E’er sets the evening sun.
This, the wish I always wish,
The prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help others lives,
It touches by the way.
By Strickland Gillilan
Click or tap on the following title to go to the article.
Strickland Gillilan Biography Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont
My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done
Leave countless marks for good or ill ere¹ sets this evening sun.
Shall fair or foul its imprint prove, on those my life shall hail?
Shall blessing my impress be, or shall a blight prevail?
When to the last great reckoning the lives I meet must go,
Shall this ever, fleeting touch of mine have added joy or woe?
Shall He who looks their records o’er² - of name and time and place
Say ‘Here a blessed influence came’ or ‘Here is evil’s trace’?
From out each point of contact of my life with other lives
Flows ever that which helps the one who for the summit strives,
The troubled souls encountered - does it sweeten with its touch,
Or does it more embitter those embittered overmuch?
Does love in every handclasp flow in sympathy’s caress?
Do those that I have greeted know a newborn hopefulness?
Are tolerance and charity the keynote of my song
As I go plodding onward with earth’s eager, anxious throng?
My life shall touch a million lives in some way ere¹ I go
From this dear world of struggle to the land I do not know.
So this the wish I always wish, the prayer I ever pray:
Let my life help the other lives it touches by the way.
By Strickland Gillilan
¹ere: before.
²o’er: over.
A shorter version of the poem also exists, as follows.
My Influence
My life shall touch a dozen lives
Before this day is done,
Leave countless marks of good or ill,
E’er sets the evening sun.
This, the wish I always wish,
The prayer I always pray;
Lord, may my life help others lives,
It touches by the way.
By Strickland Gillilan
Click or tap on the following title to go to the article.
Strickland Gillilan Biography Gathered By David Hugh Beaumont
Rules For Better Living
Always wear sensible shoes.
Watch the sunrise at least once a year.
Be the first to say, “Hello.”
Live beneath your means.
Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
Never give up on anybody.
Miracles happen.
Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all they have.
Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
Keep your promises.
Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don’t feel like it.
Remember that overnight success usually takes years to attain.
Leave everything better than you found it.
Remember that winners are those who do what losers don’t want to do.
When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone’s day.
Don’t rain on other people’s parades.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone that you love them.
Said hello to a random stranger. Some people might give you a weird look, but you never know when you’re missing out on meeting someone amazing because of words unspoken.
by Author Unknown
Always wear sensible shoes.
Watch the sunrise at least once a year.
Be the first to say, “Hello.”
Live beneath your means.
Treat everyone like you want to be treated.
Never give up on anybody.
Miracles happen.
Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all they have.
Pray not for things, but for wisdom and courage.
Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
Keep your promises.
Learn to show cheerfulness, even when you don’t feel like it.
Remember that overnight success usually takes years to attain.
Leave everything better than you found it.
Remember that winners are those who do what losers don’t want to do.
When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone’s day.
Don’t rain on other people’s parades.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone that you love them.
Said hello to a random stranger. Some people might give you a weird look, but you never know when you’re missing out on meeting someone amazing because of words unspoken.
by Author Unknown
Opportunity
This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream: -
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince’s banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle’s edge,
And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel -
That blue blade that the king’s son bears, - but this
Blunt thing!” he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.
By Edward Rowland Sill
Edward Rowland Sill was born on 29 April 1841 in Windsor, Connecticut, United States of America. He graduated from Yale in 1861, studied biology at Harvard, did literary work in New York City, taught school in California and Ohio, and was for eight years professor of English language and literature at the University of California. His poems were privately printed under the title, “The Hermitage and Other Poems” (1868) and in other works. Edward Rowland Sill passed on at 45 years of age on 27 February 1887 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream: -
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince’s banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle’s edge,
And thought, “Had I a sword of keener steel -
That blue blade that the king’s son bears, - but this
Blunt thing!” he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king’s son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.
By Edward Rowland Sill
Edward Rowland Sill was born on 29 April 1841 in Windsor, Connecticut, United States of America. He graduated from Yale in 1861, studied biology at Harvard, did literary work in New York City, taught school in California and Ohio, and was for eight years professor of English language and literature at the University of California. His poems were privately printed under the title, “The Hermitage and Other Poems” (1868) and in other works. Edward Rowland Sill passed on at 45 years of age on 27 February 1887 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.
Live . . . Laugh . . . And Love
Live well dear friends
In all you do,
Tho’ paths be old
Or paths be new,
But to yourself
Be ever true,
Live well!
Laugh often friends
Tho’ passing years
Bring, sometimes, smiles
And, sometimes, tears,
For mirth forever
Warms and cheers
Laugh often!
Love much dear friends
For love will bring
The healing joy
And hope of Spring,
Where pain and fear may never dwell
Nor anguish touch . . .
And so Live well,
Laugh often too,
And more, dear friends,
Love much!
By John McLeod
Live well dear friends
In all you do,
Tho’ paths be old
Or paths be new,
But to yourself
Be ever true,
Live well!
Laugh often friends
Tho’ passing years
Bring, sometimes, smiles
And, sometimes, tears,
For mirth forever
Warms and cheers
Laugh often!
Love much dear friends
For love will bring
The healing joy
And hope of Spring,
Where pain and fear may never dwell
Nor anguish touch . . .
And so Live well,
Laugh often too,
And more, dear friends,
Love much!
By John McLeod
Who Really Matters?
You do not actually have to answer the questions in the following quiz. Just read them, and you will understand the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won a Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half-dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is that few of us remember the headliners of yesterday, though they are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields, but the applause fades and the awards tarnish. Their achievements seem important for a brief moment, but they are forgotten in time.
Here is another quiz. See how you do on this one.
1. List a few teachers who aided you on your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people with whom you enjoy spending time.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Was the second quiz surprisingly easier?
The lesson is that the people who made a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. The people who matter are the ones who care. Now as for you, have you shown others that you care so that you will be remembered?
By Author Unknown
You do not actually have to answer the questions in the following quiz. Just read them, and you will understand the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won a Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half-dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is that few of us remember the headliners of yesterday, though they are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields, but the applause fades and the awards tarnish. Their achievements seem important for a brief moment, but they are forgotten in time.
Here is another quiz. See how you do on this one.
1. List a few teachers who aided you on your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people with whom you enjoy spending time.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Was the second quiz surprisingly easier?
The lesson is that the people who made a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. The people who matter are the ones who care. Now as for you, have you shown others that you care so that you will be remembered?
By Author Unknown
