20 Positive Poems About Life, Hope, And Encouragement
Let these positive poems be ones that help you see things in an optimistic way. Verses to encourage, inspire and uplift you to believe in yourself and in others - look for the good.
We need more positivity in this world of ours. Sometimes, it is so easy to see the negative and accept it, however, when you look for the positive, the good in a situation you will see it. We hope the verses in these poems encourage you to be positive. You may also want to explore our collection of inspirational poems.
Updated May 12, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Limitless
There is nothing, I hold, in the way of work
That a human being may not achieve
If he does not falter, or shrink or shirk,
And more than all, if he will believe.
Believe in himself and the power behind
That stands like an aid on a dual ground,
With hope for the spirit and oil for the wound,
Ready to strengthen the arm or mind.
When the motive is right and the will is strong
There are no limits to human power;
For that great force back of us moves along
And takes us with it, in trial's hour.
And whatever the height you yearn to climb,
Tho' it never was trod by the foot of man,
And no matter how steep — I say you can,
If you will be patient — and use your time.
The Cheerful Heart
There is a shady side of life,
And a sunny side as well
And 'tis for every one to say
On which he'd choose to dwell.
For every one unto himself
Commits a grievous sin,
Who bars the blessed sunshine out,
And shuts the shadows in.
The clouds may wear their saddest robes,
The sun refuse to smile,
And, sorrow, with her troop of ills.
May threaten us while;
But still the cheerful heart has power
A sunbeam to provide,
And only those whose souls are dark
Dwell only life's shady side.
Eyes Of The World
It's like the eyes of the world, they observe
Children, people watching us, and those that we serve.
We are all their mirrors shining out our light
Make sure your attitude is positive and bright.
The responsibility is yours and you are the star
To lead by example and provide a high bar
Be mindful of your actions, and what you portray
A positive role model is that what you convey?
Pursue Your Dreams
I've always known,
How great you are.
I just didn't realize,
How bizarre you are.
I say this in,
A very good way,
You're so creative,
I have to say.
You have potential,
To pursue your dreams.
Now get out there,
And explore your schemes.
Until you try,
You'll never know.
Life's too short,
To not control your show!
Explore our collection of If Poems. We all have dreams and aspirations. But, many people do not follow their dreams, they stay in jobs they hate, and they never reach their full potential because they do not pursue their dreams. The Poet is trying to encourage you to go after dreams, to make them a reality! Don't wait until it is too late. Do not be one of those people who say, I wonder what would have happened if I had . . .
The Things That Haven't Been Done Before
The things that haven't been done before,
Those are the things to try;
Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
At the rim of the far-flung sky,
And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
As he ventured in dangers new,
And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
Or the fears of the doubting crew.
The many will follow the beaten track
With guideposts on the way.
They live and have lived for ages back
With a chart for every day.
Someone has told them it's safe to go
On the road he has traveled o'er,
And all that they ever strive to know
Are the things that were known before.
A few strike out without map or chart,
Where never a man has been,
From the beaten path they draw apart
To see what no man has seen.
There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
Though battered and bruised and sore,
They blaze the path for the many, who
Do nothing not done before.
The things that haven't been done before
Are the tasks worthwhile today;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way?
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that's new?
Self-Control
When you’re angry,
Here’s a rule:
Take a deep breath
Until you cool.
Stop and freeze.
Just calm down.
Put on a smile
Instead of a frown.
Think of a way
Not to fight.
You’ll be glad
You did it right.
Stop! Calm down! Think!
Then act!
You’ll feel better.
That’s a fact.
Only A Little
Just a little smile will cheer us
When life’s hill is very steep;
Just a kindly word will help us
When a frown would make us weep.
Just the sunshine on the waters,
Just the rainbow in the sky,
Just a little love, so little,
And its value is so high.
There Was A Man
There was a man who smiled
Because the day was bright;
Because he slept at night;
Because God gave him sight
To gaze upon his child!
Because his little one
Could leap and laugh and run;
Because the distant sun
Smiled on the earth, he smiled.
He toiled and still was glad
Because the air was free;
Because he loved, and she
That claimed his love and he
Shared all the joys they had!
Because the grasses grew;
Because the sweet wind blew;
Because that he could hew
And hammer, he was glad.
Towards Fields of Light
To have struck one blow for truth
In the daily fight with lies;
To have done one deed of right
In the face of calumnies,
To have sown in the souls of men
One thought that will not die —
To have been a link in the chain of life; —
Shall be immortality.
Enjoy short uplifting sayings and encouraging reminders in our collection of Short Positive Quotes that help brighten your outlook each day.
Underneath
Underneath the winter's snows.
The invisible hearts of flowers
Grow ripe for blossoming!
And the lives that look so cold,
If their stories could be told,
Would seem cast in gentler mould,
Would seem full of love and spring.
Heaven Shining Through
Sky so blue it makes you wonder
If it's heaven shining through;
Earth so smiling 'way out yonder,
Sun so bright it dazzles you;
Birds a-singing, flowers a-flinging
All their fragrance on the breeze;
Dancing shadows, green, still meadows
Don't you mope, you've still got these.
The Dreams Ahead
What would we do in this world of ours.
Were it not for the dreams ahead?
For thorns are mixed with the blooming flowers.
No matter which path we tread.
And each of us has his golden goal.
Stretching far into the years;
And ever he climbs with a hopeful soul.
With alternate smiles and tears.
That dream ahead is what holds him up
Through the storms of a ceaseless fight:
When his lips are pressed to the wormwood's cup.
And clouds shut out the light.
To some it's a dream of high estate
To some it's a dream of wealth;
To some it's a dream of a truce with Fate
In a constant search for health.
To some it's a dream of home and wife;
To some it's a crown above;
The dreams ahead are what make each life -
The dreams - and faith - and love!
Positive poems remind us that even during difficult seasons, hope and encouragement still exist. Often the smallest change in attitude can help us face challenges with greater strength and confidence.
If We Knew
If we knew the woe and heart-ache
That await us on the road;
If our lips could taste the wormwood,
If our backs could feel the load;
Would we waste to-day in wishing
For a time that ne'er may be?
Would we wait in such impatience
For our ships to come from sea?
If we knew the baby fingers
Pressed against the window-pane
Would be cold and stiff to-morrow,
Never trouble us again;
Would the bright eyes of our darling
Catch the frown upon our brow?
Would the print of baby fingers
Vex us then as they do now?
Ah! those little ice-cold fingers,
How they point our memories back
To the hasty words and actions
Strewn along the backward track!
How those little hands remind us,
As in snowy grace they lie,
Not to scatter thorns, but roses,
For the reaping by and by.
Strange, we never prize the music
Till' the sweet-voiced birds have flown;
Strange, that we should slight the violets
Till the lovely flowers are gone;
Strange, that summer skies and sunshine
Never seem one half so fair
As when winter's snowy pinions
Shake the white down in the air.
Lips from which the seal of silence
None but God can roll away
Never blossomed in such beauty
As adorns the mouth to-day;
And sweet words that freight our memory
With their beautiful perfume
Come to us in sweeter accents
Through the portals of the tomb.
Let us gather up the sunbeams
Lying all around our path;
Let us keep the wheat and roses,
Casting out the thorns and chaff;
Let us find our sweetest comfort
In the blessings of to-day,
With a patient hand removing
All the briers from the way.
The Inevitable
I like the man who faces what he must,
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer;
Who fights the daily battle without fear;
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust
That God is God; that somehow, true and just,
His plans work out for mortals; not a tear
Is shed when fortune, which the world holds dear.
Falls from his grasp: better, with love, a crust
Than living in dishonor: envies not,
Nor loses faith in man; but does his best.
Nor ever murmurs at his humbler lot.
But, with a smile and words of hope, gives zest
To every toiler: he alone is great
Who by a life heroic conquers fate.
Scattering Crumbs
I threw some crumbs from my window
at the falling of the night.
And I thought no more about them
till, at break of morning light
A ceaseless chirp and twitter on the
frosty air I heard -
The sparrows' morning blessing! And
my heart with joy was stirred,
For 'tis something to make happy e'en
the wee heart of a bird.
It gave me a pleasant keynote for the
music of the day;
A song of thanks for blessings I should
find along the away;
A thought for the joy of others, and
how oft with little care
I might give some crumbs of pleasure
to another heart, and bear
In my own a double measure for the
sake of another's share.
A Hint of Life
Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind,
And look for the virtues behind them;
For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in the shadows hiding.
It is better by far to hunt for a star
Than the spot on the sun abiding.
Sometimes the smallest change in thinking can make the biggest difference. Read more encouraging thoughts in our collection of Positive Quotes.
Can't
Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and half-hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision.
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.
Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror.
And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.
Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy, ambushed, to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying: " I can."
Bear The Sunshine
You may bear the sunshine wherever you go.
For a smiling face is the face to show,
And the world hath need of your cheer.
Why add to its burden of groans and sighs?
'Twere better, my friends, to call to its eyes
A smile instead of a tear.
Be brave and be glad, and your joy will rest,
Like a nested bird, in some troubled breast;
Some heart with its sore repining
Will find the star in the midnight sky
And catch the gleam as the clouds drift by
Of the radiant silver lining.
The Conqueror
Here's to the man who can hide with a smile,
A day of ill-temper and words that are vile.
Who can refrain from uttering words in a tone
That may leave their, sting when years have flown;
Who is cautious and tactful not to offend
His neighbor, or those who may be his friends.
Here's to the man that can feign jollity,
Whatever his trials and tribulations may be.
When the tempest has passed and the sun starts to shine,
Hats off to the man who has conquered his mind!
Keep Sweet
Don't be foolish and get sour when things don't just come your way-
Don't you be a pampered baby and declare, "Now I won't play!"
Just go grinning on and bear it.....
Read the rest of Keep Sweet
Key Reflections
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Positivity Begins With Your Thinking
Many of these positive poems remind us that our attitude shapes how we see life. When we focus on hope, gratitude, and possibility, even difficult days become easier to face.
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Encouragement Can Change A Life
A smile, a kind word, or a hopeful thought may seem small, but often those little moments give strength and comfort to others when they need it most.
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Believe In Yourself And Keep Going
Several of these poems encourage perseverance and confidence. Do not let fear, doubt, or failure stop you from pursuing your dreams and becoming the person you were meant to be.
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If these positive poems encouraged your heart, explore more uplifting verses and quotes that inspire courage, hope, perseverance, and optimism.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed our collection of positive poems. Looking at a situation from an optimistic viewpoint can change your attitude or outlook toward it. Sometimes things that we consider to be not favorable can be a blessing in disguise, we just have to see the blessing. Share them with others to give them a positive thought for their day!
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