desiderata

life takes you on so many strange paths.

one of those strange paths is the one that brought me to the following piece of literature, written on the back of a drapery card from carnegie (i am now working at the same firm that i moved to pensacola to work for nearly 4 years ago--either life is strange or this town is too small...but i think it's both).

back to my story. here i am, sorting through fabric cards and i happen to flip over the back of a certain privacy fabric and found, written on the back, the following work, called "desiderata". it reads:

go placidly amongst 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 with others, you may become bitter or vain, for there will always 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 fein 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 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 tress 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 cheerful. strive to be happy.

-1927, max ehrmann


to whoever decided to print that on the back of "affirmation II"--i'm curious if you ever knew what a reaction that decision would cause. to me it was much more than just a "hey look at this." it was a tiny ounce of clarity amidst the confusion of my life right now.