Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.
Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 vexatious to the spirit. 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 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
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Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"
Sometimes a poem just gets the right words, the words that you cannot summon up yourself. That's poems like this. Keep peace in your soul. With all its ... drudgery... it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. Amen!
I love this poem. I think there's a similarity between this and the spoken song "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" and there's a place for both of them. You are a child of the universe. Isn't that just wonderful? xx
ReplyDeleteNew words to me, but so true! xx
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful world, we just have to look hard sometimes to realise, but there's always things of beauty surrounding us.
ReplyDeleteVery true words x
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have put it better myself. I am dealing with drudgery in this house and non stop tidying up this morning, but there's plenty of happiness here too. xx
ReplyDeleteI am a Quaker........ this sums us up very nicely! Jx
ReplyDeleteAlways keep striving.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I must have read this before but can't remember where I saw it.
ReplyDelete