I shall not live in vain
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.
— Emily Dickinson
Since the start of 2022, I’ve decided to become a better person. Not better in personal terms. I’ve been trying to be a better person outwardly — doing my part to make the world a better place. I never wanted to pursue this sort of life change before because I couldn’t help but think that I’m just one person. I kept thinking that even if I change my habits — borrowed so deep in my daily routines — how is it that one single person can truly do anything?
It wasn’t until I read this poem by Emily Dickinson that my view started to shift. While I blamed the rest of the world for not doing their part as well — to collectively make a difference — not becoming a better person would be a fault that rested wholly on my shoulders.
It isn’t about what we can’t accomplish without others, it’s about what we can accomplish by ourselves.
Since my revelation, I’ve switched my eating habits to the vegetarian lifestyle, due to the effect animal agriculture has on the environment. I have also become an advocate for the earth and began the process of going fully green. While this is my life-changing course of action, yours can be anything. All it takes is that first step to be that better person.
Stop using the excuse that you cannot make a difference as a single person.
You can.
In Emily Dickinson’s poem, she expresses that feeling of validation from being that “better person.” Even when you cannot live your life for yourself, you live it for the sake of that wonderful feeling of validation. That feeling that you too can be a protector, caretaker, provider, or lover.
My favorite part of this poem is her phrasing. She was very specific with her wording which magnifies the meaning. She never spoke of an epic journey of altering many lives. “If I can stop one heart… If I can ease one life the aching… or help one aching robin.” No mass conversions, but at least she tried. If you go into life believing you’ll never help millions of people then you’ll never be able to be there for one. Another key part of her phrasing is her words, “if I can.” The first to anything is just that. The first step. Beginning something is better than sitting back and doing nothing at all. If you ever feel discouraged because you can’t stick with it — be it a diet, new hobby, or the sudden need to help the environment — do not lose hope. That doesn’t mean you aren’t strong enough or inspired enough, or even worth enough; it just means that you tried. And in the future, you won’t be as scared to just go for it. Whatever it may be.
When I have moments when I doubt my worth or what difference I can make, I ask myself the same question that Ruslana Korshunova posed,
“If I am for others, then who is for me? And if I am for myself, then what am I for?”
