Friday 12 May 2006

Desiderata...

If everyone were made to read this or had this recited to them, say once a week; would the world be a better place..?
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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 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 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 with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
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Today, I'm Most Angry About: Everyone seemingly getting thunderstorms by them and there being nothing around here, apart from two very distant rumbles. Grrr. I looove thunderstorms!
Grrr-O-Meter Rating: 1/10

10 comments:

Duncan said...

Works for me every time Philz ! needed a dose of that this week

Dakota said...

Wow! That is beautiful, wise and oh so true. Thanks for sharing, it really moved me :)
I would like to think that the world could be a better place, but I’m not sure reading this (to them) once a week will do the trick. People get bored very easily these days :(

Thunderstorms are great!!

Anonymous said...

I don't suppose you remember when that was a top-selling single ... ;)

(Jeangenie - I can't be arsed to work out why I always have to log in to your comments when I don't have to for anyone else's. Sorry!)

Kayla said...

Lovely Dogga...
~"avoid loud and aggressive persons"
Love that one!
~"take kindly the counsel of the years" Words of wisdom :)

I have a friend I need to share this with

We had a horrible thunderstorm here yesterday! The power was blinking on and off like a bad sci-fi film! Haha

Phil said...

Duncs:
Yeah? Good!
It's one of those things that should be kept at hand or stuck up somewhere. I have a copy on my PC at all times and stuck up at work!

Dakota:
Glad you enjoyed it! ;)
Oh so true too... ;(
Mmm, thunderstorms.

Anon:
Thanks for the comment!
Didn't know it was song though ;o)

Kayla:
Cool... Please share this; I like to think of it being shared and I too have given it to many a frined!
Awww, thunderstorms by you! Grrr ;-)

GLAD YOU ALL ENJOYED!

Anonymous said...

'Anonymous' is me, Jeangenie - sorry, the way I signed off was ambiguous (but it was late!) For some reason Blogger doesn't remember me when I put a comment on your blog, Phil, and it's touch and go whether or not I can remember the password!

Anyway ...
http://www.richieunterberger.com/crane.html

Phil said...

Jan:
Ah, it all makes sense now! It was the way you wrote it! Hehehe...

Thanks for the link! Interesting, as I never knew any of that. Way before I was even a twinkle in my daddies eye; is probably why! :-)

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