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 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)
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8 comments:
Did you actually count the words? That is amazing. Just as amazing as this work of literary genius.
Wow. FIRST, I'm so mad my diary beat me to the punch.
And second, that was beautiful beyond words. Well, not words, but . . . well, I don't know . . . yes, words.
I was like . . . DID SHE WRITE THIS?
Is it bad that I'm glad you didn't write it? hee hee j/K YOU COULD have written it, I have no doubt.
I threw it into a word doc to see how many words he used to sum up life so very well.
I doubt if I could write it. My wisdom is still in its infancy.
I'm with Crash--I think you COULD have written it. Off to look up Max Ehrmann . . .
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
perfectly said :)
I love that!
Great wisdom!
I LOVE that work. Always have. But I am a child of the sixties and it was a big deal then.
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