Brighten The Corner Where You Are
We cannot all be famous or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person, great or small, has important work to do,
For seldom do we realize the importance of small deeds
Or to what degree of greatness unnoticed kindness leads.
For it's not the big celebrity in a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously in undistinguished way.
The work that God assigned to us, unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding and brings reality to dreams.
So do not sit and idly wish for wider, new dimensions
Where you can put into practice your many good intentions.
But at the spot God placed you begin at once to do
Little things to brighten up the lives surrounding you.
If everybody brightened up the spot where they're standing
By being more considerate and a little less demanding,
This dark old world would very soon eclipse the evening star
If everybody brightened up the corner where they are!
Helen Steiner Rice