What Would You Do?
What would you do if it appeared today
That leadership in world attention paid
To what you said or did as life you played
When you, in fact, just went about your way?If sudden there through gift of Internet
Young leaders’ lives, not given power yet,
Sought out today some guidance from your word,
Then gathered round mass marketers like herd?When you looked back, with world touched by your mind,
Would conscience beat you up, or be more kind?
Would you feel good with how you played that round?
Would in your life, a ‘Clarabelle’ be found?Would family, friends, think fondly of your life?
Would you look back in gratitude with wife?
Would you wish life had taken not that turn?
Would you seek out some other wage to earn?For we know not how we'd respond that day;
We think we do, but hear what others say;
For its surprise, that's partly what we meet,
When praise from others comes, not what we seek.Rock stars face this; and players on the stage;
Sports heroes rise; best-sellers on their page;
But also those unseen whose sway is felt
Know of this challenge life to them has dealt.The story goes of clams beside the sea
Dug by a man with pail full, who sees
Another piling clams above the rim,
“How did you that?” He goes and asks of him.“That's easy, guy, these clams are from my group;
They pile high in pail, before they're soup,
Because when one moves farther than the rest
The others pull him back, they think that's best.”So it has been, throughout all history –
We're not alone, were in community;
We surge ahead of others once or twice
But get pulled back into the group – that's nice –For it's too much for folks to risk their way
On one man's thoughts, or what he has to say.
“Come walk with us, don't get much out of step,
We'll watch your walk with insight which you get.“Then we will follow on the path you'll make;
Not heed your words, or guidance from you take;
We cannot risk that much on one man's word;
Much better seen, advice, than what is heard.”navigation