If You Can't Do Something, Do What You Can
Ah, here it is … a few days into April, and finally, the Poem of The Month from me..
Between the Final Four Basketball competition, the opening of the baseball season, the will they-won’t they make it to the finals for the Seattle Kraken hockey guys, and the upcoming traditionally nicest, most gentlemanly competition in golf — the Master’s — all coming to us via satellite, live stream on our television sets (“smart” or not), or on our cell phones, tablets, desk tops, etc., it’s been an interesting challenge to find the right words to share this month.
Obviously, most of the news I’ve been listening to has leaned more toward entertainment and toward people competing without killing each other… actually shaking hands and giving credit where credit’s due at the end of the match. A nice pat on the shoulder, an actual look into the faces of the members of the competing team… a recognition…
Why can’t life “out there” be like that?
To counteract the hovering feeling of helplessness it occurred to me that even if we didn’t know what to do to make great strides into solving the problems of the world, there must be some form of action we might take… hence, the title: If You Can’t Do Something, Do What You Can.
The simplest act of kindness towards another human being… a smile, a nod, or a word (hello) (nice day for a walk) might be just the very thing the other person needs to allow his or her attitude abut life change direction to the positive.
I hope you enjoy the poem — April showers of kind, loving thoughts.
Remember, whatever the question, love is always the answer.
IF YOU CAN’T DO SOMETHING, DO WHAT YOU CAN
It’s easy to sit back and observe a situation,
And not let your actions match your thoughts.
You may think that you have nothing to contribute,
But wait! You do! Let me connect the dots:
It all starts with you, and what you believe in.
It requires that you know the right thing to do;
And that is being true to yourself and your beliefs.
It boils down to the statement, ‘The onus is on you.’
First, educate yourself — all aspects and all sides.
Learn before you make a move in any direction.
Some famous people have rung in on the subject.
Their words are reassuring and wise upon reflection.
Maya Angelou suggests “doing your best
Until you know better… and then
When you know better, you can do better.”
Repeat the process again and again.
Do not let what you cannot do
Interfere with what you can” (John Wooden).
“And doubt of whether you can do it at all (Goethe)
Is only removed by action.”
