Deiderata, what do people think of it now?

[Shemagh Profile]

This was very big in the 1960's (when I was young and thin) all us young 'uns had it pinned up on our bedroom walls, now I'm wondering what the present young generation think about it? Be interesting to here your comments, (or not, as the case may be).






desiderata - by 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 to 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 perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to 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 in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

[Otoel Profile]

It sounds just like Ecclesiastes in the Holy Bible minus the God references.

[Shemagh Profile]

It sounds just like Ecclesiastes in the Holy Bible minus the God references.

Ah! but he wrote be at peace with God whatever you conceive HIM to be. I've always thought conceive IT to be would have been more appropriate, but then, given the time he was writing in that would have been too radical.

[Hackjames Profile]

It's a very nice thought. It makes my intestines feel warm, and fuzzy.

[Otoel Profile]

It sounds just like Ecclesiastes in the Holy Bible minus the God references.

Ah! but he wrote be at peace with God whatever you conceive HIM to be. I've always thought conceive IT to be would have been more appropriate, but then, given the time he was writing in that would have been too radical.

3 What do people gain from all their labors
at which they toil under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets,
and hurries back to where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning on its course.
7 All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
there they return again.
8 All things are wearisome,
more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say,
“Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.
11 No one remembers the former generations,
and even those yet to come
will not be remembered
by those who follow them.

And thats only the prologue, read it instead of just blowing it off as "religious mumbo-jumbo" , wisdom comes from all places.

[Shemagh Profile]

And thats only the prologue, read it instead of just blowing it off as "religious mumbo-jumbo" , wisdom comes from all places.




I didn't blow anything off as "religious mumbo jumbo". We don't seem to understand each other, never mind!

[Otoel Profile]

And thats only the prologue, read it instead of just blowing it off as "religious mumbo-jumbo" , wisdom comes from all places.




I didn't blow anything off as "religious mumbo jumbo". We don't seem to understand each other, never mind!

Sorry what was that? I dont understand....

[Shemagh Profile]

And thats only the prologue, read it instead of just blowing it off as "religious mumbo-jumbo" , wisdom comes from all places.




I didn't blow anything off as "religious mumbo jumbo". We don't seem to understand each other, never mind!

Sorry what was that? I dont understand....

Lol

[Muchtyman Profile]

This was very big in the 1960's (when I was young and thin) all us young 'uns had it pinned up on our bedroom walls, now I'm wondering what the present young generation think about it? Be interesting to here your comments, (or not, as the case may be).






desiderata - by 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 to 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 perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to 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 in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Blast from the past ........................

[Shemagh Profile]

Blast from the past ........................





lol I know, I'm feeling my age.