it is a beautiful world 
love is... perennial as the grassThe poem "Desiderata" has been a guiding light and an inspiration for me over the years. It was a pleasant surprise to see the poem posted in the room of a dear friend(a Desiderata postcard is in my room too) in our reunion trip to her parents' home in late March, catching up after 5 long years of not seeing nor regularly communicating with each other. I was so focused about the eloquence of the author and how the lines has been beautifully put together that i never bothered to find out where the title came from and more things about the author. Searching the web, I find out a lot of things about Max Ehrmann , a poet and lawyer who lived in Indiana, USA from 1872 to 1945, Most notable find for me is the reportedly inspiration behind this poem, the entry in his diary saying :
" I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."
Desiderata, is a Latin for "desired things", (plural of desideratum,) an inspirational prose poem about attaining happiness in life.(http://en.wikipedia.org/). Arguably, every human being on earth desires to be happy.
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 ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;they are vexatious to the spirit.
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.
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 youto what virtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals,and everywhere life is full of heroism.
But let this not blind youto 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.
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.
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.
by Max Ehrmann©1927 by Max Ehrmann, all rights reserved. © renewed 1954 by Bertha Ehrmann.Reprinted by permission Robert L. Bell.(http://www.desiderata.com/)
In many crossroads of my life, this poem never fails to inspire me. Thank you Max, for this gift.
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