Desiderata
One of the group meetings I sat in on today was a simple meeting, where every member of the group was given a paper with this on it, and were asked their reaction to it, or what stood out to them. I just thought it was interesting and thought I’d share it.
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 vexations 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 not this 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
March 22nd, 2005 at 8:33 pm
You should know better than to propogate new age writings
March 23rd, 2005 at 12:48 am
Bleccch, nonsense.
I have some serious issues with Max Ehrmann.
The first paragraph illustrates my nature well. And, coming from personal experience, it just doesn’t work. It doesn’t matter how considerate and forgiving and honest you are or try to be, there’s always some deceitful selfish bitch from across the street to counter it. And win.
I can’t stand it when anyone says, “be yourself.” Again, I know from personal experience that doing and saying what comes natural is not all too rewarding. It creates a vulnerability to be invariably, easily attacked. “Being yourself” leaves no room for serious introspection; it’s a shallow notion besides.
The third paragraph is disgusting, bordering on being an insult to my intelligence. “You have a right to be here.” Oh? Is that so? The way I see it: Just like having the legal right to free speech ceases to exist in certain situations such as slander or intent to incite panic, having the universal “right to be here” ceases in certain situations as well, such as unexpectedly being consumed in a house fire or wasting away painfully from cancer or falling into a vat of sulfuric acid. The universe takes away this right just as readily as it gives it out, only more painfully, and without warning. It’s meaningless, and seems like an awfully shitty deal to enter into, especially since I’ve never had any say in the matter.
“And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” This kind of shrouded fatalism doesn’t impress me. It’s a tautological waste of words. It’s akin to saying, “Either something will happen, or it won’t. Whatever happens, that’s the way it should be.” Oh, it’s supposed to sound profound, but actually, it doesn’t mean a damned thing.
“It is still a beautiful world.” Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. When I go outside, I see gray skies, leafless trees, my neighbor’s one-eyed cat, various mulletted trucker hat-wearing folk, and drab, ugly, rectangular habitations which more or less exactly fail to please the eye (RIP Douglas Adams). Aside from the subjectiveness of its appeal, beauty leaves only a fleeting sense of satisfaction inevitably obscured by the sheer magnitude and abundance of the world’s hideousness.
Lastly, what the hell, exactly, am I supposed to infer from “strive to be happy”? Is it the struggle that matters, or the happiness? The hedonism, I think implied by it, contrasts with all which precedes it. Just as well, though, because it is all one big pile of nothing. Or shit. Whichever.
March 23rd, 2005 at 6:56 am
Oh Jacob, youre such a grouch. Also, I am sorry you have to live in waverly, ohio where the skies are always gray.
March 23rd, 2005 at 9:49 am
I don’t care what you say, Max Ehrmann still sucks.
March 23rd, 2005 at 10:55 am
well, i love you anyways. both of you just totally missed the point, but it doesnt mattar