New life
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, remembering 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 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 not this 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.
Author unknown
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This was on our dining room wall as I was growing up, poster size. I read it so many times. It is very good, isn’t it? Now, many years later, I find it kind of weird that God is only mentioned in passing, in a vague “whatever you conceive Him to be” way, at the end, without giving Him credit for all the good advice preceding that line. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, but read it much later in life: reading this “Desiderata” again I know now that all of this kind advice comes from that very book: the Bible, every bit. And instead of having to conceive of what He is, it tells you all about Him, it is wonderful. So, if you feel the pull of these wise thoughts and have not actually read the Bible, and want a deeper and more solid grasp on these thoughts, I would very humbly and kindly suggest that you get a study Bible (“study” version for notes that explain odd historic things we are not familiar with these days) in a translation that is easy to read (maybe not the King James, in other words) and get ready for a whole new world of wisdom and love to open up for you. Start at Matthew, (the New Testament), it is an easier starting place. I wish for you the security, joy, and peace that comes with this study. :-)
Thank you Margie for publishing this article….
This was on our dining room wall as I was growing up, poster size. I read it so many times. It is very good, isn’t it? Now, many years later, I find it kind of weird that God is only mentioned in passing, in a vague “whatever you conceive Him to be” way, at the end, without giving Him credit for all the good advice preceding that line. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, but read it much later in life: reading this “Desiderata” again I know now that all of this kind advice comes from that very book: the Bible, every bit. And instead of having to conceive of what He is, it tells you all about Him, it is wonderful. So, if you feel the pull of these wise thoughts and have not actually read the Bible, and want a deeper and more solid grasp on these thoughts, I would very humbly and kindly suggest that you get a study Bible (“study” version for notes that explain odd historic things we are not familiar with these days) in a translation that is easy to read (maybe not the King James, in other words) and get ready for a whole new world of wisdom and love to open up for you. Start at Matthew, (the New Testament), it is an easier starting place. I wish for you the security, joy, and peace that comes with this study. :-)\
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Thank you Margie for publishing this article….
This was on our dining room wall as I was growing up, poster size. I read it so many times. It is very good, isn’t it? Now, many years later, I find it kind of weird that God is only mentioned in passing, in a vague “whatever you conceive Him to be” way, at the end, without giving Him credit for all the good advice preceding that line. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, but read it much later in life: reading this “Desiderata” again I know now that all of this kind advice comes from that very book: the Bible, every bit. And instead of having to conceive of what He is, it tells you all about Him, it is wonderful. So, if you feel the pull of these wise thoughts and have not actually read the Bible, and want a deeper and more solid grasp on these thoughts, I would very humbly and kindly suggest that you get a study Bible (“study” version for notes that explain odd historic things we are not familiar with these days) in a translation that is easy to read (maybe not the King James, in other words) and get ready for a whole new world of wisdom and love to open up for you. Start at Matthew, (the New Testament), it is an easier starting place. I wish for you the security, joy, and peace that comes with this study. :-)
Thank you Margie for publishing this article….