Desiderata: A Source of Inspiration and Guidance

I just want to share with you all a very powerful poem.

I am sure you can also draw inspiration from this.

This poem was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927 but its message is crisp and very much needed for this generation. I think if everyone is guided by the simply philosophy in this poem, this world will be a very peaceful place.

So read on and I hope I was able to share some inspiration to you. Please let me know how you find this piece.


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 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 CAREER, HOWEVER HUMBLE;
IT IS A REAL POSSESSION IN THE CHANGING FORTUNES OF TIME.

EXERCISE CAUTION IN YOUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS; 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 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 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 CAREFUL. STRIVE TO BE HAPPY.

"DESIDERATA” COPYRIGHT © 1927, BY MAX EHRMANN.