An Inspirational Poem

These inspirational poem used to be posted above the keyboard of Gerald Andress, one of my high school teachers. From what I know of him, he lived by the ideals in this poem:

Not what we have ~ but what we use,
Not what we see ~ but what we choose.
These are the things that mar or bless
The sum of human happiness.

The things nearby ~ not things afar,
Not what we seem ~ but what we are.
These are the things that make or break
That give the heart its joy or ache.

Not what seems fair ~ but what is true,
Not what we dream ~ but what we do.
These are the things that shine like gems
Like stars in fortune’s diadems.

Not what we take ~ but what we give,
Not as we pray ~ but as we live.
These are the things that make for peace
Both now and after time shall cease.