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When the outrages of daily life
suffocates you, a little perspective is needed for sanity's sake> (see below)
I've attached a few things I like to read from time to time.
Feel free to save them or pass them
along to others. :<)
Hang in there, you're not
alone!
Warren
"This is
what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give
alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your
income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have
patience and indulgence toward the people, go freely with powerful uneducated
persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves
in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have
been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own
soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem."
-
Walt Whitman
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 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 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's 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 disenchantement, it is as perrenial 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. Desiderata" was written in
1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). In 1956, the rector of St. Paul's Church in
Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of mimeographed inspirational
material for his congregation. Someone who subsequently printed it asserted that
it was found in Old St. Paul's Church, dated 1692.
GOD, grant me
the Amen By Reinhold Neibuhr Union Thoelogical Seminary, New York City,
1932 |
