I stumbled across a memory the other day and it made me smile.
When I was in high school I dated one particular guy for a good portion of my four years. One of his gifts to me was a plaque with the following piece written in fancy lettering. That wall art is long gone but I can still see it and remember how much I loved it and how much I loved that he gave it to me.
Time marches on, relationships come and go, time changes things. But memories of gifts given that were the perfect gift at the perfect time are always remembered. Thanks, Doug, for the memory and flashback to 16 year old me today.
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.
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
18 Comments
Leave a commentHow special. The Desiderata was very popular at one time and should be dusted off again I think. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for stopping by. I knew other folks remember this poem as well and it was fun to run across it again.
I recall that one too. Strive to be happy – a good phrase to remember!
So many of us remember it! That makes my heart happy!
Thanks for your memory! I did a quick google- and while the poem was written in 1927 it burst to prominence in the early ‘70s. I was in high school then, you were a lot younger, I realize. I think it really resonated with the times then. But still is meaningful to me today!
It is funny how many of my friends remember this. I got it probably in 1975 or 76 so we all were enjoying it around the same time. I think it is still very relevant today. Thanks for stopping by!
One of my favorites! “You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.”
Yes! We of the same age all remember it, don’t we? Time to let it resurface!
😌This was on my wall at college! Absolutely love it! Thanks for bringing it back!❤️
Now that does not surprise me one bit! Probably around the same time I had it on my wall!
There is much wisdom packed into this poem, which I vaguely remember. That was quite the gift from Doug. These are words we all need to read and reflect upon. Thank you for sharing this introspective piece.
It is a pretty amazing selection and I can see it hanging in my bedroom in New Concord all these years later. It was blast from the past!
Good advice!
I think it is and timeless as well.
I agree this is a timeless message. Lovely poem and treasured gift.
Thanks, Shirley, I definitely remember it all these years later.
I love it. Never heard it before but now I am bookmarking it. Thanks as always for sharing! 💕
Happy to introduce you to it. 🙂