Desiderata, Inspiring Poem by Max Ehrmann
Read this inspiring prose poem ‘Desiderata’ (Latin: “desired things”) from a friend’s blog today and just want to share this inspirational prose poem here in Symphony of Love too. I hope that ‘Desiderata’ can help to put life back in perspective for you as it has for me when I was reading it. And I believe that it will touch you as it has touched the lives of many who have read this it before.
Quoting a few lines from the poem, “… You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here … With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.”
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Desiderata by Max Ehrmann in 1927
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 the 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 vain or 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 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. 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.
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Recital of Desiderata by Les Crane
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Photo credit: makunin
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Hi BK – thanks for the link .. I hope everyone enjoys this spoken version – it’s refreshing to listen to …
Happy 2013 – Hilary
Hi Hilary, you are most welcome; I wouldn’t have come across this great poem if I hadn’t been to your blog 🙂