Prose Poem ~ Desiderata

A friend of mine opened my eyes to this 1927 Prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). Desiderata is Latin for “Desired things”.

She showed me this because I was struggling with my reasons for blogging or not blogging. Why am I doing this and should I keep doing it? I know that this is my place and I should be able to say, think & feel what I want and not be judged. But it has morphed into a place I am no longer comfortable in. I am seeking to get my happy place back. The place where I am free to be myself. For the moment I am trying to live by this, and be a happy person…

Desiderata

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.

I will be linking this post up with Jess from Diary of a SAHM in the morning for I Blog on Tuesdays. But I wanted to post this now. So if its Tuesday 17th Jan 2012 or beyond click here to go to Jess’s blog. Otherwise, check back on this date or after and check out the links for I Blog on Tuesdays .

Tagged as: blog, Depression, Happy