Wednesday, December 28, 2005

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 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-1952~

2 comments:

SmileyTD said...

Count me in on the China Buffet!! GraveGobbler is the greatest! That would be an absolute blast. :P
Girls Night Out would be wonderful as well! :) We're really going to have to get together and do these things. I'll be sure to have the Advil ready. LOL

SmileyTD said...

Thanks for the MySpace info, ILP! (That's short for "I Like Pink", of course.) Jason added me to his list a few days ago...right around Christmas and I know who Brian is, but I don't really know him. I sold a car to his brother once, though. LOL There are a few others on my list from Clay as well if ya' hadn't found them. :)
I thought of you and GraveGobbler today. I was wandering around the Kanawha Mall...passed by the China Buffet there a couple of times. LOL Didn't go in, though. ;) It just wouldn't have been fair to the two of you. :P



Hi, MP!! How are you doing?