Saturday, March 04, 2006

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 vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to 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, 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 disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness.

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, andwhatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, Jim...
Very nice site. Don't blog myself, but it seems like an interesting thing to do.

I am a little acquainted with your sisters from posting on another website, and M said you were having this one and wondered if I would like to see it, so here I am.

Kalil Ghibran's Desiderata has always been a favorite piece of mine. You might want to credit its writer.

Nice page, and I wish you luck and enjoyment in doing it.

Pat

Leonard Family said...

Hi Pat,
Thank you for your kind words. This is my first attempt at making a blog and I hope it will turn out the way I'm hoping.

You know my sis Marie? Ahh god love ya :-)

I'd be happy to credit Kalil Ghibran as the author of Desiderata, but there is still confusion as to who the real author is. If you look at this site: http://www.ladyjayes.com/desiderata.html you'll see that the author is credited as Max Ehrmannn.

If you ever decide to start a blog please feel free to ask, even though it would be a bit like the blind leading the blind I'd be happy to help if I can.

Best wishes,

Jim

Anonymous said...

Hello again, Jim...
I did go to that website, and you are correct. I could have sworn that was a Ghibran poem, not a doubt in my mind. However, there have been times before this when I knew something for absolute sure, and I knew it all wrong, and I'm sure there will be more of those times to come. Well, that's the way it goes. Interesting to know the true story.

Thanks for the offer of help if I ever want to blog. Maybe someday, got too much to do right now, though.
Pat