If I can throw a single ray of light across the darkened pathway of another;
if i can aid some soul to clearer sight of life and duty, and thus bless my brother;
if I can wipe from any human cheek a tear, I shall not have lived my life in vain while here.
If I can guide some erring one to truth, inspire within his heart a sense of duty;
if I can plant within my soul of rosy youth a sense of right, a love of truth and beauty;
if I can teach one man that God and heaven are near, I shall not then have lived in vain while here.
If from my mind I banish doubt and fear and keep my life attuned to love and kindness;
if I can scatter light and hope; if I can cheer and help remove the curse of mental blindness;
if I can make more joy, more hope, less pain, I shall not have lived and loved in vain.
If by life’s roadside I can plant a tree, beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest,
though I may never share its beauty, I shall yet be truly blessed.
And though if in the end, no one knows my name, nor drops a flower upon my grave, I shall not have lived in vain while here.
– by Anonymous
