DRIVE ― OR DRIVEN?

Have you set goals for the new year? I used to make New Years resolutions but quit doing that years ago. I think it is always good though to have goals in mind and to work toward them no matter what time of year it is. I have shared a number of Helen Steiner Rice's poems on my blogs. Guess what? Here's another one, but this one is kind of different from the others. It is called God, Give Us "Drive" but Keep Us From Being "Driven". I thought that was kind of a "tricky title" and I like it so here goes.

There's a difference between "drive' and driven"―
The one is selfish the other God-given―
For the "driven man" has but one goal,
Just worldly wealth and not "riches of soul,"
And daily he's spurred on to reach and attain
A higher position, more profit and gain,
Ambition and wealth become his great need
But most blessed are they who use their "drive"
To work with zeal so all men may survive,
For while they forfeit great personal gain
Their work and their zeal are never in vain . . .
For they contribute to the whole human race
And we cannot survive without growing in grace,
So help us, dear God, to choose between
The "driving force" that rules our routine
So we may make our purpose and goal
Not power and wealth but the growth of our soul . . .
And give us strength and drive and desire
To raise our standards and ethics higher
So all of Us and not just a few
May live on earth . . . as You want Us to.

                            -Helen Steiner Rice

It is unseasonably cold in our desert. One more night of freezing temps and then we'll be going back up to highs in the 70s. So many people are sick and I think the weather may be contributing to it. I've been fighting a cold or flu or something since about two weeks before Christmas. I've thought I was about well several times only to have it come back and knock me back down. I really should not complain though. This is the first time I've been sick in years. And I love this cold weather. But I will be ready for it to be just a little warmer. Thanks for stopping by and spending a little time with me today. I appreciate it.