When the light from a lighthouse shines for all: an inspirational poem
True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
Helen Keller
This luminous beacon, in frantic search
Of the Pearl of Purpose in the darkest waters
Its light, it oft fails to converge
On point of focus, sadly falters
It falters, its glow ever diminishing,
Focused narrowly on its own needs;
The shining light, ineffectual, finishing,
Targets not when boatmen plead
Localizing, the lighthouse proceeds
Only with the pearl in mind
Not using the energy of its glow
To help the searching boatmen find
Place in this world - Michael W Smith
At times, it may brighten its shine
To help poor boatmen search for their goals;
It selfishly requires a deposit, a dime
Before it tells what it knows
With expectations of return
It beams flicker, it fails in its quest
When for boatmen, it is not concerned
Itself will not be blessed
When finally the beacon shines
For the rest of the world to see
The Pearl of Purpose it finally finds
And to the heart of its soul, the key.
Copyright (C) Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
No part of this work is to be reproduced without prior consent of the author.
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.
Dalai Lama
Other inspirational poems by Michelle Liew
- In the turbulent sea of humanity
Being human is facing ups and downs - an eternal struggle to be kind, to be generous, and to be patient. - Mending life's tattered dress: a poem
When a lady puts on a dress, it can tell us quite a few things about life. Looking forward to your views! - Have room in your mind: An Inspirational Poem
A poem of appreciation for the little things in life.
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Comments
- AUTHOR
Thanks, newusedcarsscram!
This is certainly a beautiful song.
Thanks for sharing!!! Voted up
- AUTHOR
Thanks Tammy...wish they were more functional, though. Seems to be a little out of fashion to use them as guides, given the advanced navigation we have these days! Thanks for sharing!
Gorgeous layout! This is very inspirational. I love lighthouses and the symbolism and mythology behind them. I love this poem.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Peggy for the share!! You're really sweet!!
Came back to share this lovely poem with so much meaning. We can all use guiding lights in our lives!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, James, for sharing! Glad you've enjoyed it! Thanks for dropping in!
This is beautiful Michelle and very inspiring. Voting this up and sharing as well. Also rated beautiful and awesome :)
- AUTHOR
Glad you liked that quote, Peggy W! Thanks for the compliment, and for coming by!!
- AUTHOR
Thanks Meldz for coming by! Most of the time, when we help others, we expect a lot in return...and when we don't get it, we feel disappointed. Very human. But we all have to remember that we all have talents in many areas. We should not expect too much for using them because we will be rewarded in many other ways! Thanks for dropping in!
- AUTHOR
hi Christy! Thanks for the compliment and share, that means so much! really appreciate you dropping in!
I loved that last quote by the Dalai Lama..."Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Great words to live by! Up votes!
Love to look at the picture. It looks so calm. I like the part about the boatmen and it is neat that they need a dime to know something.
Voted up and more! :-)
Your words here are beautiful. I also like the way you organize the hub - very nice to look at the photos and as I read the poem. Vote up and sharing too.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Jools, glad you like it! Thanks for coming by!
Great poetry Michelle, voted up etc.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Mark, am glad you've enjoyed it!
A beautiful message Michelle.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Keith...glad you've enjoyed it!! Thanks for coming by!
- AUTHOR
Yes, we all wish we had one and we all need one!, Mary. The ones who can guide sometimes refuse to. Glad you've enjoyed it!
- AUTHOR
Hey, Deb! You are a true hobbyist. Glad that you've enjoyed it! Thanks for coming by!
- AUTHOR
Yes, we try so hard to find our purpose, Rema....and the characteristic of a person with purpose is when it somehow involves doing good for the sake of others in some form. Thanks for coming by and I'm glad you've enjoyed this!
Another beautiful and well written poem, Michelle! Definitely a great motivation :)
Would that we all had a lighthouse to guide our way! This was so beautifully written. Voted up and awesome.
I collect lighthouses.. they fascinate me. Of course I collect just about everything.. drives my husband crazy... I love your poem..
hugs and sharing
Debbie
Very true Michelle. We think only about our own needs and desires in life and forget to help others. Helen Keller's and Dalai Lama's quotes are thought-provoking.
True happiness lies in lending a helping hand to the needy at the appropriate times. Wonderful poem that reflects on human life with your beautiful words. Cheers, Rema.
- AUTHOR
Vincent, thanks for the wonderful insight! The sad thing is that many refuse to flow in the message and refuse to be a beacon to others even though they can....and with that, they lose their purpose. I am so happy you've enjoyed the quote! Thanks for coming by!
What a wonderful symbol of light, protector, saviour and love. These verses are poignant and brilliant. Inspiring to all who flow in it's message and let their heart and souls be guided by the safety of its loving beacon.
A moving quote to stir our souls. "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."
Dalai Lama
- AUTHOR
Hi, thelyricwriter! Thanks so much for the lovely compliment, and I'm flattered! Yes, we should be lights for others. Thanks for coming by!
Midget39, what a great poem! Very deep and inspiring. This is absolutely beautiful. The pictures go great with the poem. Voting this up, awesome, and beautiful. Shared as well.
- AUTHOR
Thanks girshpuri! Yes, life only holds purpose for us when we give a little to others. That's what we need! Thanks for the read, Girshpuri!
- AUTHOR
Oh dear. I guess with modern technology, there is less use for them now, Hatter! Hope they'll shine for the occasional ships that sail someday! Thanks for coming by!
Great, we only think bout ourselves and life demands sacrifice, which you have expressed through your beautiful poetry, great message, voted up and above.
Very moving. All the lighthouses (and fog horns) around SF have been put out of action. I miss them.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Spy! Thanks so much and I am glad you've enjoyed it!
love love love your poem Michelle!!!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Ruchira!! Lighthouses that shine selflessly always end up standing. Thanks for coming by!
It's awesome poem and a beautiful message. Self less acts seldom go unnoticed and no wonder this lighthouse stand tall n proud withering all storms.
Voted up as awesome.
- AUTHOR
thanks, CrisSP! Glad you've enjoyed it! I think it's the mystery of these lighthouses...and the role they play in the lives of seafarers! Thanks for coming by!
- AUTHOR
Thanks Mary, for coming by! glad you've liked it!
Very well said Michelle. Selflessness not selfishness...love the photos. There's just something magical with lighthouses.
Up and beautiful.
Beautiful poem with beautiful words.
I enjoyed the read, I voted it UP, etc. will share.
- AUTHOR
Yes, Sasha, There are entirely too many selfish people who use their talents for their own interests iand do not find what they are looking for until they help other s find their goals too! Thanks for the vote and share, my dear!
- AUTHOR
Yes, Bill. Many of us can help in so many way, yet we choose not to! We have ability, but refuse to shine. Thanks for coming by!
- AUTHOR
indeed we do, and ask whether we have really been there for others or just being busy looking out for ourselves! Thanks, Carol!
You my friend are an incredibly bright lighthouse! A wonderful poem that I hope everyone will will be inspired by. We could certainly use a little less (or a whole lot less!) selfishness in this world! Voting a bunch and sharing!
- AUTHOR
Exactly, whonunuwho...when it fails to shine for others, it does not find what it is shining for! Wonderful interpretation and thanks for coming by!
I see more and more of this in today's world....selfishness runs rampant in this world....it is sad for me, and I do not understand it. There must be more to life than one's own gains.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Jo. I guess they became defunct when they shone for people and expected them to give something back! They would have worked better if the light shone for the good of all. Thanks, Jo!
It is a beautiful poem with lovely photos. We all need to take stock sometimes. Thanks for the great words. Voting UP.
In your poem I see the metaphorical comparison of mankind, represented by the lighthouse. When it fails to shine for its fellows, it lets all down, and when it shines and shows the righteous way in life, then it shines through from the soul as well, to light the way for future lives.Nice work, midget.
We do take so much for granted, until the day comes, when it's our own lives in peril, only then are we truly appreciative.
Even those now defunct light houses, would have saved countless lives in their time.
Michelle, you shine like a beacon always inspirational.
- AUTHOR
Thank you so much, Valleypoet!
- AUTHOR
Hi Richard, absolutely. We need that gauge indeed. The defunct lighthouses only shine for themselves though...they have the talent, but do not wish to share it. Now that you've mentioned it, imagine if all the lighthouses functioned that way...no wonder so many are misguided philosophically and psychologically. You've given me a lot to think about there!
- AUTHOR
dghbrh, thanks!! Glad you like it! Thanks for the votes and the share!
A great poem, and a wonderful, truthful message for your readers:-))
Navigation used to depend on lighthouses and such to tell them where the ship was. You'd get an angle on the lighthouse, them one on another point, and interpolate them on the chart. Where they intersected was the location at the time of the "fix." In life, we need some point on which to gauge our progress. We find someone to use as a lighthouse, and gain our progress in accordance with our role models. As the lighthouse served many, so much we in our lives, as we hopefully become lighthouses to others. Great Job!
well job done...very beautiful poem, All votes up and I am sharing for sure.
- AUTHOR
In our search for life’s purpose, we quite often selfishly think only of our our own needs. We finally find it when we consider the needs of others.
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