Desiderata

The poem below was once sent to me by the infamous Beau Eckland. It landed in my email box at a time when I was disenchanted with most things. That year was 2006. Anyhow, during the last few weeks, a number of people in trouble have been in discussion with me. Some of them have felt the depths of despair and others cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. For all those who have these issues, it should be remembered that we are all in charge of our own destiny. We only have one life and in my view there is little or no point being miserable. The sun still rises in the morning and nothing is as bad as it was yesterday.  Someone asked me to day " Do you really wake up happy everyday and if so you have achieved utopia". The answer to that was "Yes, I do" but the journey to achieving that takes a lot of in depth thought. The journey though started with this poem.

Desiderata - by max ehrmann

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 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.

Max Ehrmann c.1920