Desiderata
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 the dull and 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 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 labours 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.

 

Now if we could all just walk this out!

 

That's worth paying attention to. Some parts hit closer to home than others.

 

Son of a .....

Rob, it has taken me years to get people to forget this. Now you bring it up again. At this rate, I'll never have any friends.

 

LB? Vex somebody's spirit?

Didn't he invent that word, vexation? Isn't he the king of vexationalism?

 

[QUOTE=Legal Bill,May 21 2007, 12:38 PM] Son of a .....

Rob, it has taken me years to get people to forget this.

 

Of course some of us remember it. Wasn't it set to music. I'm trying to remember the tune but can't.

 

I had never seen it before either, Rob.

 

I thought that Rod McKuen (he did the song "Jean" from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie among others) recorded it, but I can't find it anywhere. I know it was set to music, but I can't remember by whom.

 

Patty,

Wow. It was so popular that I was amazed that Liz had never heard of it. I can't believe that you didn't either. I didn't think anyone could've missed it.

The poem appeared everywhere, on posters, bookmarks, everywhere. It was probably as popular as the smilie face (that Wal-mart uses for it's sales).