Desiderata
Go quietly amid the noise and the haste, and
remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good
terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly
and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and
ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud
and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the
spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you
may become vain or bitter, for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy
your achievements as well as your plans. Keep
interested in your own career, however humble; it
is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the
world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to
what virtue there is; many persons strive for high
ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be
yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither
be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully
surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength
of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with
yourself. You are a child of the universe no less
than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be
here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no
doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you
conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors
and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep
peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery
and broken dreams, it is is still a beautiful world. Be
cheerful. Strive to be happy.
From: The Desiderata of Happiness; a collection of philosophical poems, by Max Ehrmann,
Crown Publishers, various copyright dates; poem written in 1927.
This piece, nicely printed and laminated has hung inside a kitchen cupboard door for years. It's probably been a long time since I even consciously looked at it; but it deserves to be revisited for its simple but profound wisdom--"Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with
yourself." "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."
My yard was filled with birds yesterday despite the chilly weather. Male cardinals were sparring, a small flock of fluffed-up red-winged blackbirds were checking out the cracked corn we had just spread and dozens of slate-colored junco on there way to some place north were popping like popcorn in the dead leaves. At least two handsome fox sparrow were also scratching around for food on their brief stopover. It still is a beautiful world.
may become vain or bitter, for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy
your achievements as well as your plans. Keep
interested in your own career, however humble; it
is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the
world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to
what virtue there is; many persons strive for high
ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be
yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither
be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully
surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength
of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with
yourself. You are a child of the universe no less
than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be
here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no
doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you
conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors
and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep
peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery
and broken dreams, it is is still a beautiful world. Be
cheerful. Strive to be happy.
From: The Desiderata of Happiness; a collection of philosophical poems, by Max Ehrmann,
Crown Publishers, various copyright dates; poem written in 1927.
This piece, nicely printed and laminated has hung inside a kitchen cupboard door for years. It's probably been a long time since I even consciously looked at it; but it deserves to be revisited for its simple but profound wisdom--"Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with
yourself." "With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world."
My yard was filled with birds yesterday despite the chilly weather. Male cardinals were sparring, a small flock of fluffed-up red-winged blackbirds were checking out the cracked corn we had just spread and dozens of slate-colored junco on there way to some place north were popping like popcorn in the dead leaves. At least two handsome fox sparrow were also scratching around for food on their brief stopover. It still is a beautiful world.
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