If I

"If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain."

I love this poem.  It is the essence of what I think human beings were destined to be.  I am impressed by the message, of course, but more so in its delivery.  She uses the very great, to the very small--a robin-- to show that each task used to help others is essential.  She lived alone her whole life, locked away (from a social fear), but with her writing was able to reach out beyond herself, and made many good friendships that lasted her whole life.

I want to make this poem my goal; its sweet dispostion encourages service without preaching, probably because it isn't instructive, but directed toward herself, as if for her own personal reminder.