There Is No Indispensable Man

Subject: There Is No Indispensable Man Thu Mar 19, 2009 5:28 pm

Some of you may have seen this on my Notes section on Facebook, but thought I would share it here too. This poem was on the office wall of the factory where my husband had his first job. It made such a strong impression on him that he could recite it, right up until his death. It also formed a foundation for his philosophy on life in general.

Sometime when you're feeling important;
Sometime when your ego's in bloom
Sometime when you take it for granted
You're the best qualified in the room.

Sometime when you feel that your going
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions
And see how they humble your soul.

Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that's remaining
Is a measure of how you will be missed.

You can splash all you wish when you enter,
You may stir up the water galore,
But stop and you'll find that in no time
It looks quite the same as before.

The moral of this quaint example
Is do just the best that you can,
Be proud of yourself but remember,
There's no indispensable man (or woman).

by Saxon N. White Kessinger, Copyright 1959

Subject: Re: There Is No Indispensable Man Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:14 pm

i like it

Subject: Re: There Is No Indispensable Man Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:07 am

I also like it. It is a good reminder not to get too big for your boots and become arrogant. I know a few people who should read it!!! lol