“Life is what we are alive to. It is not length but breadth....Be alive to...goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God, and eternal hope.”
This is a quote credited to Maltbie Davenport Babcock (photogaph) -1858 – 1901, a noted American clergyman and writer of the 19th century who authored the familiar hymn “This is My Father's World” among others. Originally this hymn was a poem which eventually was put to music, yet its wonderful words still ring true today and i am repropducing them below as they still have a wonderful ring to them today:
This is my Father's world:
and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world:
the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!
