A friend recommended this well known poem from R W Emerson for the NESTER. In a web search I found that this poem has been inspiring to many people and is included in many “favorite” quotes and poems by Emerson. This poem is a good companion piece with Cathy Ross’s poem “The Pause” published in a NESTER post.
I found it interesting that this poem most likely wasn’t written as a poem by Emerson. Rather someone else gathered the lines from Emerson’s prose and a letter to his daughter. I also learned that this was a common way in those times to put together an inspiring message for an audience from a well known writer.
I encourage you to read the poem and take it to “heart.”
“Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
CREDITS:
Writer: Ralph Waldo Emerson
Photographers: Toni Olson, Keith Olson, Lee Lageschulte
Editor: Tim Olson
Love this! Great intro, thanks for telling us a little about where these lovely words came from. Love the photos too, especially Toni’s Stepping Stones to the Day!
Wow! It’s great to end the day with today’s positive contributions!
Wow! It’s great to end the day with the posting today!