Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Desiderata
by: Max Ehrmann 1927

GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the 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 vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

The first time I heard this was because of the song posted above.  I don't know where my mom got it or why, but being a "different" child, this song resonated with me deeply.  Even after all these years, I still find myself in tears listening to it for reasons that I cannot rightly explain.  Perhaps all the pain and anguish of years gone by seem to disappear when I hear it, remembering those days when I listened to it with my mom.

As I grew older my dad sent me a book version of the poem--a beautiful, brown, suede-covered book.  I'll never know how or why both of my parents came to the poem, but the words from the song just resonate with me on a deep level.

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the sea and the stars; you have a right to be here."