Thursday, September 28, 2006

You've read it a 1000 times...

Once more for all of you with heavy hearts and heavy burdens today -- this poem has always made me feel peaceful.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and 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 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 and 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 with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

5 comments:

Shelley said...

Yes - but always worth revisiting - Thanks.

Shelley said...

Yes - but always worth revisiting - Thanks.

Unknown said...

Betsy,,,,,this is the first time I have had the time and energy to pop online and visit my friends blogs......I started to cry when I read your post, as I have this hanging in my closet/dressingroom and many times this week I have stopped to read it through the tears.

I wanted to tell you how much I cherish our friendship and I pray that we get to meet IRL somewhere along our lives journey, as you are a soul that I would love to hug and just sit and talk with freely for hours.

Peace and love, TM

The Mom said...

Thanks Betsy!

Betsy said...

TM, I thought of you right away when I posted this. I know that you will get through this very sad time in your life because you have a peaceful soul -- that is the key to being deeply happy and fulfilled in this life time.

We will definitely meet one day - and I know when we do it will feel like coming home.