DESIDERATA
-
something desired as
essential
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
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 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 © 1927