Desiderata
Desiderata
It isn’t often that we take the time during our busy schedules to stop and breathe. We are always on the go. Worrying about schedules, thinking about the next hour, the next day’s the next weeks or months. We need to stop and honestly live in the now. I found this text many years ago. I don’t remember where, that’s not important, but what I do remember is how it made me feel. It makes you take the time to be in the now, the present and enjoy. This Desiderata is among one of my favorite things to read. What does Desiderata mean? Well, for one thing it means Latin for “Desired Things.” The author was Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945. It has been reported that Desiderata was inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary: “I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift — a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods.” He was smart. He was a lawyer, and a poet…what a winning combination. Well, what ever he did in his life, he forever will be known for his “Desired Things” Take the time to read it…and let us know how it makes you feel.
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.
Max Ehrmann
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This is beautiful.
I have memoried desiderata, long time ago in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I found it once again after many year, on my student’s desk. Guess, what? I was very astonished and happy, I read it again and again, it is “powerful”. I am glad I found it again.
Mo.
“Desiderata” was a poem that my husband and I decided to read at our only child’s baptism in 1983. This May16th/09…Janet is getting married…and my husband is deceased. While thinking about how to conclude my Mother-of-the-Bride speech at her reception…this poem has come back into my life. Reading it again, I am reminded of it’s incredible power and influence on how to live life beautifully. I have decided to read this ‘gift’ again to her and her husband. It has served us so well for the last 26 years….why not share it with all those in attendance?
Thanks for publishing this beautiful poem of wisdom. My “Inner Guide” or possibly the “Great Spirit” has recently reminded me about the value of this great poem…bringing so much counsel and truth that it leaves me in awe.
Eric gave me this in 1973 and its significance is still high.
God works n various ways, it was a great inspiration and I am inspired. keep praising Jesus
Desiderata is a great piece of literature, it helps people in problems.
A great and sound piece of advice for everyone. I got this from my Boss in my first job in 1999. I loved and instantly liked it the way it was written and communicated. i had it with me for sometime and it got lost in the vagaries of time and the ups and down in life to such an extent that i completely forgot that this wonderful and wholesome piece of advice even existed. found it today on net and I am happy to find my old lost treasure of words once again.
Just a word of thanks for your effort to make this so easily available. Timeless, simple and profound it still brings the same comfort I remember when first read so many years ago. THANK YOU! and bless you, one and all.
Thank you Eric, Always and Forever
Thank u so much for such a comforting text.Its awesome! I love it.God Bless.
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