Carry Sunshine

Many people carry shadows
By the gloomy lives they live ;
By their grouchy way of speaking,
And by what they do and give;
But there is a way of living
That is better far than this,
Blessing men with sunny brightness,
Helping them to joy and bliss.
You can carry sunshine, neighbor,
Carry sunshine day by day,
Which is done by righteous living —
Yes, by what you do and say;
And it makes you feel much better,
And your fellows that you meet,
When your face is wearing brightness
And your voice is kind and sweet.
Carry sunshine by your smiling,
By your gentleness and grace,
By the prayers you breathe for others
And the kindness of your face;
Though sometimes 'twill cost you
money,
Cost you effort, work, and time ;
Yet to be a sunshine toter
Is both noble and sublime.
—Walter E. Isenhour