photo credit: JPhilipson
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking
by: Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Lance writes stories from his heart, aiming to inspire and motivate, as you align more fully with YOUR true peak. When he's not here, you can find him hanging out with his family, riding a bike, or just generally acting goofy.
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Blessings to you and those you hold dear, Lance,
CG
CG Walters´s last blog post..Serialization of Sacred Vow: One Who Knows
AMEN LANCE. I love this quote and it’s one I so attempt to lead my life by.
I think we (all of us) often get sucked into needing wanting to leave a HUGE NOTICABLE MARK on the world and, IMO, its not about that.
have a great day.
MizFit´s last blog post..Hear ye! Hear ye! Get Thy arses to CHICAGO for a Fit Blogger Meet up!
Based on the pass it forward concept, I believe if I can have a positive impact on just one life (one heart), then I am offering my contribution of helping the world.
Stacey / Create a Balance´s last blog post..Is That a Pumpkin in Your Belly or are You Just Happy to See Me?
Dear Lance,
I think I will have to draw a big arrow pointing from my blog to this post next week for my weekly “Inspiring Quotes for Caregivers.” 🙂
What a gem!
Linda Abbit´s last blog post..How a Bus Stop Helps Prevent Wandering in Alzheimer’s Patients
Brilliant poem. That’s how I look at my blog. I want to help just one person find more happiness in his/her career. If I can do that then I know that I’m on the right track.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog post..A Steve Pavlina Interview on How to Build Your Career
what a great way to live one’s life………..doing everything possible everyday to stop the hearts around from breaking!
Thanks for another beauty of a quote, Lance. You really know how to pick them and touch our hearts 😉
Annette´s last blog post..Saturday Cuteness 🙂
Yes! Always good pick up on Sunday! Thank you!
beautiful!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
Hi Lance. I didn’t know Robins fainted! 🙂 This was a beautiful quote. Happy Sunday!
Davina´s last blog post..A Ghostly Life Experience
beautiful
Lance, you have done this for me………..This quote is about you.
My main aim is to make my little corner of the world a bit more friendly and loving. It’s amazing how easy that is to do if we just keep aware and respect small actions.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monk´s last blog post..What’s Your Favorite Photo?
What beautiful words. They remind you every gesture you make to assst others is immeasurable and well worth the effort.
Liara Covert´s last blog post..You are closer than you think
I love Emily Dickinson and this is a perfect showcase of her literary brilliance. Such poetry and depth. Perfect.
kelly
Even the smallest things make a huge difference! (And am glad you enjoyed the song:)).
Sagan´s last blog post..Happy Halloween!
Hi Lance, What a beautiful quote and I know it will make me get out my Emily Dickinson out again – it has been TOO long! There is nothing more beautiful than helping someone else. Thank you for sharing this… it is the perfect quote to see before shutting down and having some “down time” before bed. Love, Jenny
Jenny Mannion´s last blog post..Gratitude, Gratitude and MORE Gratitude
@CG Walters – Thanks much!
@MizFit – Leaving our BIG mark on the world — is sometimes — the little things we do to help others…It may not seem big, but to that someone else we help – it’s huge. And so — you are so very right MizFit — it’s not about making our big mark on the world – it’s about making a difference in another life.
@Stacey/Create A Balance – Yes, the “pay it forward” concept is exactly this – helping others in need, knowing how you would want to be treated were you in there shoes… You are doing it Stacey!
@Linda – Awww, Linda – I’m so glad you enjoyed this one so much. I think this really speaks of you and what you’re doing through your blog – so continue to be a beacon of light for the elderly – your words are changing lives.
@Karl – And you may never know how many people you have helped through your writing – but that’s not what matters – how many. If you have helped one, you have been successful. Continue to write and share your wisdom on happiness – something we all can never know too much about!
@Annette – It’s the people who stop by here who inspire me – and that’s you Annette! Your words are uplifting – and a real source of inspiration.
@Mark – Thanks Mark!
@Meleah – Thanks much Meleah!
@Davina – Ha – fainting robins!! Well, now I guess we both know! Thanks Davina!
@Jackal – Thank you!
@Laurie – You are too kind Laurie, thank you so much for such kind words. Really, that means a lot to me, I am touched by your thoughtfulness. You speak with much honesty and open-ness — continue to do that Laurie – I appreciate it more than you know.
@Jean – Small actions, that’s what it’s all about – and those small actions can be such big things for others – when they really need it. Thanks Jean!
@Liara – Yes, it does remind us that every way we assist others can have effect much greater than we’ll ever realize — we just never know what the little things we do for someone else might lead into some day – powerful! Thank you Liara!
@Kelly – Glad you liked it Kelly – thank you!
@Sagan – The smallest gestures sometimes make the biggest difference – because they affect someone else on a personal level – and can leave a lasting mark. The song — it’s my new favorite!
@Jenny – Thank you! What a great way to say it — “There is nothing more beautiful than helping someone else.” – and seeing the beauty in the assistance we provide to others. It really is beautiful – even if it seems small and insignificant. It is – because to someone else it might mean the world. Enjoy your downtime Jenny.
The verb “cool” one pain stands out to me. I like the thrill of unexpected verbs.
And unexpected checks in the mail.
And small kindnesses.
Thank you.
Jannie´s last blog post..Globally Recognized Ass-Kicking
Beautiful quote! Thanks for sharing!
Evely´s last blog post..Trick Or Treat?
@Jannie – I hadn’t thought about that at all – what a very awesome way to look at this – a verb used in some way we’re not expecting, and offering so much wisdom. Thanks, Jannie, for that view on this quote!
@Evely – Thank you Evelyn!
Hi Lance,
Hope you had a great weekend! I LOVE your Sunday thoughts that you post…..you are a master at choosing the great ones! Thanks for taking the time to share, I enjoyed this poem very much.
Audra Krell´s last blog post..The Shack
When I was first starting out college, I came across this poem on a bookmark. I still have it in my scrapbook. Love it.
Pink Ink´s last blog post..Scary Photo
The first Sunday, I believe, where I missed your Sunday thought. At least it was there for me this morning. Thanks, Lance. That’ll learn me to leave my reader alone for a day.
I feel like the fainting Robin right now. I’m patiently waiting for the help I need to lift me back up. I’m sure it will come, just not sure from where or how.
Beautiful post!
Jenny´s last blog post..Please Remember Me
@Audra – I did have a great weekend thanks Audra! And, I’m glad you enjoy these – it’s a pleasure to be able to share these “Sunday Thoughts”.
@Pink Ink – It really tells so much doesn’t it, Jewel! I love this one very much, as well.
@Writer Dad – Ha! Maybe a day late, but the message remains doesn’t it! Powerful stuff – thanks for your continued support here Sean!
@Jenny – I’m so glad you enjoyed this Jenny. You will be lifted up, life has much in store for you! Hang in there…
Hi Lance: This made me think of the story of the young man who was throwing star fish that had been stranded on the sand back into the ocean. An older man walked up to him and asked: “Why are you doing that? There are thousands of star fish stranded on the sand, you can’t possibly make a difference.” The young man answered: “Well, it makes a difference to this one”, and threw another star fish into the water. If just one thing is left better after we’ve left this earth, we’ve lived well.
Mare, I do remember hearing this story – but had forgotten all about it. Thanks for bringing it up – it’s a perfect fit to go along with this quote. You’re making this world better Mare – you have lived well…
I use this philosophy when I speak – If I can affect one person in the room I’ve done my job. It’s really all we can do! The hope is that one person spreads the word to one more person and so on.
Stacey Shipman´s last blog post..Part II: Are You Thinking BIG Enough?
This is a wonderful saying by Emily Dickinson. This is so true. If we were all kind to one another think what a huge impact this would have on the world.
Cricket´s last blog post..Meet Skooter
Hi Lance – That’s a powerful quote, and certainly one worth living by. It’s a good reminder how important the act of kindness is.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..NBOTW – The Happy Thinker
@Stacey Shipman – Small, positive changes for another – and then think of if they go out and spread those positive changes. One small thing by you – can have such profound affects on so many. Also important to remember is the opposite – something negative can spread the same way. And why bringing light into this world is so positive, while bringing darkness can be so negative – and both on a grand scale from small beginnings…
@Cricket – And it only takes small things to make such a positive impact on another. We don’t have to have grandiose plans for how we’re going to “save the world” – it’s the little things that really matter…
@Barbara – Small acts of kindness…powerful beyond measure. And that’s because we don’t know where those kind acts will end up once we “give” them to someone else…