Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & 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 & clearly; & listen to others, even the dull & ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud & aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always
there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievments as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however
be humble; it is a real possession
in the changing of 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;
& 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 & disenchantment it is 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 & loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less then the trees & 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 may conceive him to be, & whatever your labours & aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.
With all it's shame, drudgery, & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann, 1872 -
1945 ......................................................................................................................