August 23, 2007

  • max ehrmann lives....

    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 ignorant; they too have their story. 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 goals. 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 strenght of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of loneliness and fatigue.

    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.
    --------------------------------------
    One of my most enduring memories of the 60's, was my introduction to Desiderata. Two brothers and countless friends in Viet Nam. Stress and strife a la famille. And, the pill had been invented, so there was a virgin to be sacrificed. Through it all, day by day, I came to cherish these calming, comforting, and reaffirming words.
    As the years went by and there was work and marriage and a kid and all of the good and the bad that we all go through, I had my mantra. Make no mistake, I am not very 'placid' at all. It has more to do with the striving, for me. And I do believe that it's a beautiful world, and that I do have a right to be here. So do you.

    So, to my latest xangan friend, I see your Invictus, and Your Road Not Taken, and raise you a Desiderata.

Comments (13)

  • Inspiring

  • I've already responded to your comment to my blog, so I just want to add that I was one of those in Vietnam you are talking about. We come from the same zone, you and I.

  • At first way back then I misread this as 'Go picadilly....' and wondered why one needed to be just there in London but of course I was mistaken. Silly me.

  • This reminder of Desiderata could not have come at a better time. Just re-reading the words from my youth sent a wave of calm thru me. I think it may be time to dig it out again and hang it on the wall. Thanks for a timely reminder.

  • Many fears are born of lonliness and fatigue - ain't that the truth

  • My sister and her husband have a beautifully written and illustrated version of desiderata--in their bathroom. But it's the best place for it. Every time you have to take a shit, you read it and that is a good thing. Everyone should have that in their bathroom....or at least be reminded of it often.

    Thanks for sharing.

  • ryc- lol it's just 45 comments since TUESDAY   I have to be popular somewhere - cause it's sure not happening in real life ahhahaha

  • It was a poster, and for a while copies of it were on the walls of all my friends, the coffeehouse where we hung out, the head shop... I don't know whether it influenced our generation more, or if it just captured the mass mind of the time.

  • How about "Choose" to be happy? Happiness is to close the gap between your expectations, and your present circumstance.

  • It is indeed a beautiful world.............
    BTW - your avatar is one of my favoritest actresses of all time.
    Did you ever see "Harold and Maude"?

  • that's interesting, about *dingus*.  so your husband is one too. :)

    love *desiderata*. used to have a poster of it, back in the late sixties, hanging on our apartment wall on the college campus. it's always been special for me too, and i'm not a placid person, so it's kind of my rock of a writing too.

    ~ lea

  • Hello.... saw your feet and thought I'd leave a note. 

    I've always loved this too.  defininitely worth hearing again...thank you.   ~Colleen

  • hey there you. thank you for the words of encouragement and the story of how you managed to,,,you know, stop smoking. i think you're absolutely right. it would be better not to announce that i'm going to do it. saves face also if (and chances are good) i fail.

    but between me and you (and haha whomever else reads this and even gives a flying flip), i'm going to do it. i've set a goal for just acertain amount for today. and...i will stick to it!  famous last words. ;)

    thanks so much for the backup.

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