Yesterday was filled with many tear-filled moments. I was overwhelmed, sad, and discouraged.
I wrote:
“My apologies to those who have some sort of expectation for me during the holiday season. I’m doing the best I can but, honestly, the best-I-can isn’t much these days. Sorry. It is what it is.”
Today, I am slightly more optimistic. Although the overwhelmed feeling continues to persist, so too are those wonderful people who come forth with a hug or words of encouragement. I manage to get a few things accomplished, am the recipient of random acts of kindness, and later run across the following poem, a reminder of where the focus of my best-i-can should be…
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 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 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 perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to 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 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 c.1920
Vince A. says
Peace…
Ken G. says
Here’s one of my mother-in-law’s that is a personal favorite. Not as instructive as the one you posted, but boldly positive nonetheless.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/181377
Tilde says
Beautiful words
Bill Reisinger says
Wonderful words.