Brighten your corner

I am sucker for inspirational poems.

I used to do poems, until I joined our college editorial staff and was made a news reporter. Then I was promoted into News Editor and finally the top slot as Editor-in-chief and it was all business from then on. I think I have lost my poetic touch and maybe this is the reason why every time I come across an inspiring poem, it catches my attention.

Here is one poem that could affect you in a positive way:

Brighten your corner

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 an 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!

– Author Unknown

How bright is your corner?

Many question the meaning of life. They ponder on existence and work themselves into depression. They whine, they groan, they moan, and they whimper. They suck their thumbs and cry, “The world is unfair!”

Others take another route. They super-assert themselves. They bully. They demean. They ridicule. They live their lives with the sole mission of making others feel unimportant. They get a wicked satisfaction in being the center of the universe, and at some point in their life, they wonder why nobody loves them.

The truth is, no one who is busy helping others will have the time to question the meaning for life and living. These are the same people who are joyful and at peace with God, with themselves and with others.

Brighten up your corner. Don’t point a finger – hold out a helping hand. Get out of your shell and extend a hand. You’ll experience joy when you serve, especially those who do not have the capacity to pay you back.

Let every one who comes into contact with you be a recipient of your “brightness.” Be kind to someone in the work place today. A good word costs no more than a bad one. Do a little favor, spread random acts of kindness, and see how your own world would brighten up.

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar says, “He climbs highest who helps another up.”

Start the climb by brightening up your corner today.

(Get daily inspirational quotes and thoughts from Francis! Send “Inspire” to 288 for Smart or Sun subscribers and 2889 for Globe. Visit facebook.com/franciskong2 for more details.)