Desiderata

1. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   I just felt like posting this...
   
   Go placidly amidst 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 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 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 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 with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
   
   Strive to be happy.

   replyreport
   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent premise and a great way to commence the New Year.

      replyreport
   2. 82

      phdast7posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Just as meaningful and beautiful now as it has always been.   Thanks for sharing this with us.   Blessings.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         It is amazing how so few words can encompass so much.

         replyreport
2. 67

   Pearldiverposted 11 years ago

   Cool.... do you have Johnathan Livingston Seagull as well?? 
   
   I used to teach orphaned Albatross chicks that one... it saved me from donning my wings and beak, and weeks of following sailors! 

   replyreport
   1. 60

      tirelesstravelerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sweet

      replyreport
3. 90

   rmcrayneposted 11 years ago

   What a blast from the past.  My 8th grade English class had to memorize this.  We were given fair warning at the beginning of school that we would have to recite the Desiderata from memory at the end of the year.  Kinda wasted on 8th graders though.

   replyreport
4. 89

   Victoria Lynnposted 11 years ago

   What a beautiful post! Who wrote that?

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Victoria Lynnposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I found this: Desiderata (Latin: "desired things") is a 1927 prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann (1872–1945).[
      
      I've never heard of him. It said he wasn't well-known in his lifetime. Figures. Maybe we'll all be world-famous authors after we're gone. :-)

      replyreport
      1. 81

         snakeslaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
         Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church in 1692"
         
         Oh that's right. There was some confusion about the origin of the poem, I remember . But the copy I had was cited as being found in Old St Paul's Church in 1692, author unknown. I'm not sure if I still have that copy.

         replyreport
5. 81

   snakeslaneposted 11 years ago

   Nice post paradigmsearch. Happy New Year everyone! (Victoria I think the author is unknown)

   replyreport
   1. 60

      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I thought I was already following you. Fixed that.

      replyreport
      1. 59

         MrHunterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Hey, I just felt like responding. Its timeless, and makes you want to do the good things. thanx . .

         replyreport
      2. 81

         snakeslaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         

         replyreport
6. 91

   Deborah Demanderposted 11 years ago

   Thanks for posting this beautiful peace. (Piece). I like the idea of memorizing it. I have, over the years, memorized a multitude of bible verses and various other lines from texts of perennial wisdom, but this is so beautiful. It encompasses the rich depth our lives could be.
   Namaste

   replyreport
   1. 59

      logic,commonsenseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is much easier to live it than memorize it.  It suggests that the strong in spirit and confidence will thrive and the weak and self doubting will not.

      replyreport
7. 94

   jansharesposted 11 years ago

   Happy New Year, paradigm. Thank you for adding this post to the 2013 atmosphere of Hubberville.  I recall a beautifully framed copy hanging in the waiting room at my old job. By the way, I like you better green

   replyreport
   1. 60

      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My copy is 30 years old.
      
      Darn, as to the green, I thought my latest was an advancement. I love my new blue. I think it has style! I've been plastering it all over the place.

      replyreport
8. 80

   Uninvited Writerposted 11 years ago

   It was also made into a song
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0UEkzFQRS0

   replyreport
   1. 60

      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've got messed up video. You better be real.
      bumped.

      replyreport
      1. 93

         Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I remember that when it was a song! What lovely thoughts to bring in the New Year with us! Thanks paradigmsearch. All the best in the New Year.

         replyreport
9. 83

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

   I love the words to this - but I am also fond of Deteriorata, which was a take-off on the original back in the old Hippie Days.  Has a similar tone, but the phrases are hilarious - stuff like, 'Rotate your tires."
   
   Sorry - I just can't see the beloved Desiderata without thinking of that one!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've missed you...
      
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhyMvQ_N7Zc

      replyreport
10. 83

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

    LOL!  Been right here, all along - but not on the site much in the past few weeks.  Had end-of-term finals and papers to grade, grades to submit, and oh yeah - minor stuff like Christmas . . .
    
    It was all great, but I'm glad for the break now!

    replyreport
11. 83

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

    Wow - classic clip of Elton John!  You made my day - I love that song, and the full orchestra was amazing.  He's showing his age a bit (voice changed somewhat), but that song will live forever.
    
    Thanks for posting!

    replyreport
    1. 60

       paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Been no earthquakes recently.

       replyreport
       1. 83

          Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          So glad!  That little quake-storm was a bit scary (you know - San Andreas Fault Folklore, 2012, and all).

          replyreport
12. 83

    Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

    Deteriorata - the National Lampoon clip:
    
    (PD - was this what you meant to post?):
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6ugTmCYMk

    replyreport
    1. 60

       paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Not sure this, another time...

       replyreport