Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise & 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 & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.  If you compare yourselves to others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be someone greater or lesser 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 & disenchantment it is 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 imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees & 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 God to be.  Whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.  With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be careful.  Strive to be happy.

~ 1927 by Max Ehrmann (copyright)