Desiderata

As I was mulling over my next post and what to say as one who has gotten the winter blahs badly, I remembered an old poem that has some history. Some of you may know it, or you may have heard it being mentioned. I thought it would be a nice piece to share with you. And if you have not know this poem I trust you will like it.
“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 to 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 by 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 labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it`s sham and drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
When I first read this poem in my early years of being in Nebraska I was deeply touched. In so many ways I found it affirming and reassuring and since I had a hard time then it helped me to stay the course. So perhaps it will be for you a ray of light in a sometimes dreary January of February when we do not see the Sun very often.

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