Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.
The only way to learn is to keep doing something new, and, if you’re lucky, learning with people who really know how to do it.
Nora Ephron (1941-2012) was an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director.
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.
If you doubt you can accomplish something, then you can’t accomplish it. You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.
Rosalynn Carter (1927-2023) served as First Lady during her husband’s term of office as American President (1977-1981). Involved with many accomplishments, she and Jimmy Carter were lifetime partners. She was a devoted and tireless advocate for greater awareness of mental health and other humanitarian causes.
This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists. Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.” The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well. Here is Bobby Darin’s version: “If I Were a Carpenter.”
Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com
If I was a teacher
Bringing energy, passion, and patience
Showcasing learning as school’s top feature
If I was a firefighter
Serving with unselfish duty and pride
Protecting all, making worries lighter
If I was an architect
Designing buildings for many uses
Looking ahead to challenging projects
If I was a farmer
Rising at dawn, working until sundown
Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor
If I was a nurse
Sharing with patient, compassionate care
Filling lives with hope, never for the worse
If I was a writer
Crafting words into stories and much more
Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter
If I was a musician
Creating good vibes through words and music
Entertaining songs’ perfect rendition
If I was a preacher
Instilling God’s Word within a church’s flock
Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers
If I was a soldier
Preserving peace and freedom in the world
Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder
If I was a young tyke
Looking up to these inspiring adults
Growing up, each day feeling more alike
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com
Originally published March, 2020.
This poem is inspired by a song which has been sung by many artists. Bobby Darin and later Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded their versions of “If I Were a Carpenter.” The song was written by Tim Hardin, and other artists have recorded and performed the song as well. Here is Bobby Darin’s version: “If I Were a Carpenter.”
Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com
If I was a teacher
Bringing energy, passion, and patience
Transforming all into knowledge seekers
If I was a firefighter
Serving with unselfish duty and pride
Protecting all, making worries lighter
If I was an architect
Designing buildings for many uses
Looking ahead to challenging projects
If I was a farmer
Rising at dawn, working until sundown
Bringing a nation food, as God’s armor
If I was a nurse
Sharing with patient, compassionate care
Filling lives with hope, never for the worse
If I was a writer
Crafting words into stories and much more
Witnessing through eyes, open and brighter
If I was a musician
Creating good vibes through words and music
Bringing pleasure across generations
If I was a preacher
Instilling God’s Word with a church’s flock
Encouraged to be one of God’s teachers
If I was a soldier
Preserving peace and freedom in the world
Band of brothers, stand shoulder to shoulder
If I was a young tyke
Looking up to these inspiring adults
Growing up, each day feeling more alike
Photo by Wendy Wei on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
There are little eyes upon you
And they’re watching night and day
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say
There are little hands all eager
To do anything you do
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you
You’re the little fellow’s idol
You’re the wisest of the wise
In his little mind about you
No suspicions ever rise
He believes in you devoutly
Holds that all you say and do
He will say and do in your way
When he’s grown up like you
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right
And his ears are always open
And he watches day and night
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do
For the little boy who’s waiting
To grow up and be like you
Author Unknown
When I was coaching years ago at a high school in Montana, the football coach gave all of the coaches a framed copy of this poem. I have carried it with me for all of these years, and it has special meaning to me as one who worked with young athletes for about 30 years.
This poem is easy to find on other Internet sites. Some of the posts use a different title, but the words remain the same. The author has remained unknown. Many young athletes aspire to follow an older athlete . . .
Waiting to grow up and be like you!
Big Sky Buckeye 