DESIDERATA

[Leonwp]

Seems quite a few people are struggling with the cold and the winter blues, this is the prose i have been back to many times in the 45 years since i first heard it. I hope it has meaning for you and helps.

DESIDERATA.

Go placidly amid the noise and 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 the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and 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 perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to 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 still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Blessings.

[Gigi71]

Thanks Leon, I found that very calming, very well worth keeping and rereading as you do. Have a good day. X

[Eiram50]

A timely reminder. Thank you

Marie

[Sunnyspells]

I have returned to those words regularly over the years to make sense of life! Thank you for introducing them to everyone

[Leonwp in reply to Sunnyspells]

Even if one person reads and gets something from it for the first time it is almost certain they will share with others and return many times and still enjoy and gain from this wonderful prose. It is a shame and huge irony that all the false rumours about grave stones and church yards and where it was found stopped Max Ehrmann from getting the recognition he deserved or indeed the copyright fortune that would have followed, lets just hope that he felt rewarded enough with sharing his words.

Blessings

[stbernhard]

Thank you for sharing this with us. There is a lot of common sense in his words. It contains so many things that are easily forgotten in our 24 hour instant gratification world. Back to basic humanity. Thanks again.

[Leonwp in reply to stbernhard]

And it seems like 1927 was no different when he was moved to write it

[stbernhard in reply to Leonwp]

Yes they certainly were hard times for what politicians, who know nothing about the subject, call the hard working people.