Desiderata

My Truth for today comes from a poem by Max Ehrmann entitled Desiderata. I first heard this lovely poem from one of my personal heroes, Kate Bornstein, when she came and visited one of my classes during college. I feel that the poem presents us with some good advice on ways to live a calm and fulfilling life in an increasingly fast paced and chaotic world. 

 I would like to point out that this poem makes a reference to "God". I want this blog to be accessible to people of all religions, philosophies, and beliefs. Therefore, I recommend that you take whatever truth from the poem you can based on what you personally believe. If you believe in a male god this will be easy for you. For those of you who do not it may help to replace the "him" in the line following "Therefore be at peace with God" with "her", "him or her", "it" or "them". If you do not believe in any deity you can think of these lines as saying "Therefore be at peace with the universe". 

I promise I will not put this disclaimer before every semi-religious thing I post in this blog. In future posts I will reference back to this post with my views on the subject. The original text of the author should be honored and as such I have posted it in its original form. However, just because we may not share all of his views does not mean there is not some truth in what he said. Thus, once again I suggest that you pull your own meaning from the words he has inscribed for us and suggest that you analyze, discuss, and reinterpret his work in the way that best helps you grow.  

Namaste and be well,

Luna

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

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.