Hey Everyone!
I came across this poem while reading a great book, Fifty-Two Lessons for Life, by Napoleon Hill and Judith Williamson. It is talking about having a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and how important it is for everything we do in life, because what your attitude is will also be the attitudes of those coming back to you.
I'll sum up my viewpoint on attitude this way: bad things and good things happen to us, and in either case our reaction to them is our decision. Our attitude is a choice, and reflects directly on our beliefs, will power, thoughts, strengths and weaknesses. You are only as big or small as the challenges that you let get you down.
As an example, your car might break down. You can choose to be angry and frustrated by it, or you can choose to keep a smile on your face knowing that somehow you will get through this challenge. Either way, the car is still broken down and needs fixing! Choosing anger will probably just make matters worse. Choosing happiness might not make the car get fixed, but it will allow the stress of the situation to wash away more easily, leaving you with better peace of mind.
I am writing the poem here, and I highly recommend the book as well! The poem was written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (died in 1919, you can read about her life and writings here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Wheeler_Wilcox).
I hope this can help you somehow. Enjoy!
Andreas Z.
You Never Can Tell
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
You never can tell when you send a word,
I came across this poem while reading a great book, Fifty-Two Lessons for Life, by Napoleon Hill and Judith Williamson. It is talking about having a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) and how important it is for everything we do in life, because what your attitude is will also be the attitudes of those coming back to you.
I'll sum up my viewpoint on attitude this way: bad things and good things happen to us, and in either case our reaction to them is our decision. Our attitude is a choice, and reflects directly on our beliefs, will power, thoughts, strengths and weaknesses. You are only as big or small as the challenges that you let get you down.
As an example, your car might break down. You can choose to be angry and frustrated by it, or you can choose to keep a smile on your face knowing that somehow you will get through this challenge. Either way, the car is still broken down and needs fixing! Choosing anger will probably just make matters worse. Choosing happiness might not make the car get fixed, but it will allow the stress of the situation to wash away more easily, leaving you with better peace of mind.
I am writing the poem here, and I highly recommend the book as well! The poem was written by Ella Wheeler Wilcox (died in 1919, you can read about her life and writings here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Wheeler_Wilcox).
I hope this can help you somehow. Enjoy!
Andreas Z.
You Never Can Tell
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
You never can tell when you send a word,
Like an arrow shot from a bow,
By an archer blind, be it cruel or kind,
Just where it may chance to go,
It may pierce the breast of your dearest friend,
It may pierce the breast of your dearest friend,
Tipped with its poison or balm,
To a stranger's heart in life's great mart,
It may carry its pain or its calm.
You never can tell when you do an act,
You never can tell when you do an act,
Just what the result will be,
But with every deed you are sowing a seed,
Though the harvest you may not see.
Each kindly act is an acorn dropped,
Each kindly act is an acorn dropped,
In God's productive soil.
You may not know, but the tree shall grow,
With shelter for those who toil.
You never can tell what your thoughts will do,
You never can tell what your thoughts will do,
In bringing you hate or love,
For thoughts are things, and their airy wings,
Are swifter than carrier doves.
They follow the law of the universe,
They follow the law of the universe,
Each thing must create its kind,
And they speed o'er the track to bring you back,
Whatever went out from your mind.
