Take Some Time

Take some time to smell the flowers
As you walk the paths of life.
Take some time to ease the tensions
From the challenges and the strife.

Take some time to hear the birds sing
As they usher in the dawn.
Though the day be just emerging,
Too soon it will be gone.

Take some time to watch a sunrise,
Now and then a sunset too.
Just be sure that seeking pleasure
Isn't all you ever do.

Take some time to count your blessings,
Though you feel they're not that great.
You will find they're more abundant
Than you thought, at any rate.

Take some time to banish hatred
When and where you can.
Just detest man's evil ways
And not your fellow man.

Take some time to love your children
Every moment you are free.
The benefits exceedeth
A university degree.

Take some time to love your neighbor
And even more important still,
Take some time to love yourself
Or not many others will.

And if you don't like that image
Of yourself that others see,
Take some time to make some changes,
Be the best that you can be.

Take some time to help another
Who you think might need a hand.
You will find the satisfaction
Leaves you feeling sort of grand.

Take some time to live by virtue
In the best way that is known,
And respect the rights of others
As equal to your own.

Take some time to just appreciate
The fact that you are here,
And to know that Higher Power
And to trust It without fear.

If you do these things with diligence
You will eventually be glad.
If you don't attempt to do them
You may one day wish you had.

Although this no doubt could impose
Upon your time for seeking wealth,
There should be little question
That it could improve your health.

And though you might not be as wealthy
Nor drive so fine a car,
You'll find you will be richer
In other ways by far.

[ By Leon Hansen, Copyright 1999 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen ]