One of the best things we ever did in our family growing up was to memorize poems that had a good message. Those little dittys still play over and over in my head. Then in high school, my basketball coaches built on this foundation and constantly shared with us inspiring words and poems from significant people of the past. Here is one that as a 16 year old kid really got me thinking. It was supposedly a favorite of the great UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden.

“At Day’s End”
By John Hall

Is anybody happier because
you passed his way?
Does anyone remember
that you spoke to him today?

The day is almost over,
and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter
now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting
with the day that’s slipping fast,
That you helped a single brother
of the many that you passed?

Is a single heart rejoicing
over what you did or said?
Does the man whose hopes were fading,
now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day, or lose it?
Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness,
or a scar of discontent?

As you close your eyes in slumber,
do you think that God might say,
“You have earned one more tomorrow
by the work you did today”?