The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak,
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
You are wise to remember that the better part of your influence on the world is invisible to you. Knowing this, you will not despair when a kind gesture goes unnoticed or a carefully crafted message falls on deaf ears. Realizing this, you will be less sure that words intended for a foe won’t eventually end up hurting someone dear to you.
Gregory Hake 
And so it is that you can never go wrong with blessing. It thus stands to reason that it’s probably the best way to be if you truly wish to protect those you love and cherish – to let your life be given to the cause of blessing in all things you do.
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I love this poem! I’ve been enjoying your new ebook and this goes with it perfectly! Thank you!!
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Thanks for a wonderful reminder our influence can have. Sometimes when I do a presentation it seems like it is falling on deaf ears only to find out later there was a deep appreciation for what I have presented. Your words are an affirmation that our influence does make a difference.
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Just like an arrow, once our words are loosed we lose control of them. There are no taking some things back. We should be as careful with our words as we are with what is beyond our arrow’s target. Just like an arrow, sometimes our words miss the mark, and it is wise to be more precise with what we say than it is to be indiscriminate.
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I’ve always loved this poem. If our song is beautiful, then we have no worry, but only joy considering where it will land,
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I love that poem. Thanks for reminding me!
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It seems we can be like the ostrich who buries his little head in the sand to hide, thinking the rest of him is not visible or the small child that believes when he closes his eyes he’s not visible. Our thoughts, words and actions sear onto the fabric of life creating a stress or comfort. We all make a mark and leave a legacy. We answer for it eternally.
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This is beautiful poem and a wonderful reminder for us of how powerful our reach – known or unknown.
Recently you asked to hear what we do, what action we take to live an uncommon life,….i spend time with my children, collectively and individually. I’ve been advised that they are watching more then they listen to what I say. So I take deliberate time to be with each one of them on a daily basis, even if just for a few minutes – perhaps playing a game, listening to their story, watching the first rays of sunshine together. From my childhood I have very few things that I’ve kept…however, I do have wonderful memories of being with certain people who shared themselves and their time with me – I remeber their character. So if it is true that children watch us more than listen, I seek each day to be an example to them of how we can cherish eachother and share our most valuable assest – ourselves.
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Standing at the edge of a calm pool of water, I slowly drop the stones of my emotions and thoughts and deeds into the waters of Life. And where Life carries the ripples I know not. What waters have I caused to drift to new heights, renewing and giving hope? And yet, what waters have I caused to wash away these same things? I can not but ask myself.
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