Every now and then you come across a verse or some words of inspiration that stay with you forever.
I first came across Desiderata years ago during my college days.
Then a couple of years ago, a friend visiting from Ireland gave me a beautiful golden frame with these words from Max Ehrmann etched on a collage of handmade papers and natural pressed flowers – one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received and one to be treasured always.
Enjoy and apply in your life from this day on:-
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 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 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 labours 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.
Indeed, strive to be happy every day:-)
My husband and I had this read at our only child’s baptism in 1983. May16/09 my daughter will be married…sadly, her father is deceased. To bridge these two beautiful events after 26 yrs…I plan to recite “Desiderata” at the conclusion of my Mother-of-the-Bride speech at her reception.
What greater gift than to share these words of wisdom.
Thanks Gisele for visiting and for your kind words.
I wish you well for the wedding day in May – and as you say what greater gift than to share these words with your daughter on her big day!
Love and best wishes
Arvind
It reminds me of the movie Pursuit of Happyness by Will Smith. He remembered an ex-president’s word on happiness: it’s a pursuit. It’s something we have to strive for…
This instantly connected my mind to a previous reading: Desiderata. How lovely… I have a classmate in college who never stopped quoting this..
Thanks for posting this. Great reminder of guide for a living.
I first read this on a scroll hanging on my late Grandad’s wall when i was roughly 8-10 years of age. This profound and poignant verse has stayed with me ever since, and dare I say it even guided me somewhat through my life.
Much like Hagakure it reminds of us of the balance of living, Brilliant and timeless.
oh and for anyone looking for more literature on a smilar wavelength, i think “If” by Rudyard Kipling comes a close second 🙂
Dear Adam,
Welcome to my blog and thanks for sharing your story about Desiderata.
I didn’t know anything about Hagakure, but I just read its Wiki entry.
I have a copy of desiderate up on my bedroom wall – and it continues to inspire me always.
Wishing you all the best Adam.
Arvind
Adam, I also just checked out “If” – thank you!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream – and not make dreams your master,
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
Hello again, i’m glad you enjoyed my suggestions. If I think of anything else ill post it for you!
Have a lovely day 🙂