Living well is a challenge

Opinion: January 1, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

“I will pass this way but once.

“If there’s any good that I can do

“Let me do it now

“For I’ll never pass this way again.”

More than 35 years later, I still remember distinctly when Pam Simpson sang those words at the final assembly of our senior year at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas.

It’s been replaying in my mind constantly since a reunion in September.

The marvel of Google led me to a YouTube rendition of the song, which was written by Ronnie Gaylord and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1972.

“I will see this day but once.

“If there’s any kindness I can show

“Let me show it now

“For I’ll never see this day again.”

Poignant farewell

The first time I heard the words, they seemed a poignant farewell. I’ve since realized they map a daunting strategy for living. Think about what it asks of us.

A gracious response to the crank who persistently sends hostile or annoying e-mails (as if you don’t already have plenty to do).

A calm, loving hand of guidance when your children make you want to pull your hair out.

A caring acknowledgment of the panhandler who approaches on a downtown sidewalk, instead of averted eyes and a retreat across the street.

A patient yield to the driver who barges to the front of merging traffic lines.

A polite “no, thank you” to the solicitor who calls at dinner time — because even telemarketers need to work for a living.

A sincere kindness to that co-worker or relative or acquaintance who sets. your. teeth. on. edge.

This ideal requires that we not yell at the obviously blind, boneheaded ref.

That we listen respectfully to ridiculously misguided political views. That we just hush when we can’t say something nice.

That we treat even the most irritating, idiotic or despicable human beings like what they are: children of God.

These might appear to be trivialities. They aren’t the serious moral dilemmas and crises of faith that try our souls, but that makes them seem easy to dismiss when they shouldn’t be.

On a day-to-day basis, this is hard stuff. Because most of us aren’t saints.

Oh, there are saints among us. And thank goodness. They go out of their way to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the afflicted, sow peace where there’s conflict, turn the other cheek, give voice to the voiceless and generally make the world a better place. They do it because it’s the right thing to do.

We need reminding

The rest of us have to remind ourselves every single day that we’ve been given a gift that shouldn’t be wasted, spoiled or ruined through pettiness, impatience, incivility, cruelty, callousness or thoughtless indifference.

On too many days, we forget.

That’s why I like the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Not because they provide a chance to set wildly impossible goals, but because they represent the opportunity for a fresh start on the daily challenge of living well.

So I resolve, among other things:

In addition to hitting the gym regularly, to find a new community volunteer project.

In addition to acting less grumpy when tired, to grouse less often.

In addition to being more organized and efficient, to be more reasoned, fair and understanding.

And every day I fall short, I’ll get up and try again the next. “Tomorrow may be too late, my friend, to do all the good that you planned,” the song goes.

Linda P. Campbell is a columnist and editorial writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.