I found an old postcard of the Desiderata whilst clearing out a few things earlier this week.
I know it sounds extremely corny, especially for a cynical old sod like me, but reading it made me reflect on a number of personal and professional events that have taken place during the last few years, some which have been fantastic but others which have been exceptionally disappointing.
I don't know whether anything would have changed if I had kept to these rules.
Indeed, I am sure that many would agree that it is extremely difficult to keep to its total creed, especially lines 3 and 4 when people you trust act like complete shits
Have a read, you have probably forgotten it.
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 the 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 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 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 with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy
I know it sounds extremely corny, especially for a cynical old sod like me, but reading it made me reflect on a number of personal and professional events that have taken place during the last few years, some which have been fantastic but others which have been exceptionally disappointing.
I don't know whether anything would have changed if I had kept to these rules.
Indeed, I am sure that many would agree that it is extremely difficult to keep to its total creed, especially lines 3 and 4 when people you trust act like complete shits
Have a read, you have probably forgotten it.
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 the 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 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 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 with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy
Comments
'Without surrender' ydy'r goriad i linellau 3 a 4, am wn i.
Diolch am rannu hyn.
Any clue as to who the shit is, although rumours are rife across old Cardiff town.
have you read "If" by Kipling
Good stuff.
Have to live life on life's terms these days though.
Very hard at times.
Chin up!
have you read "If" by Kipling
Good stuff.
Have to live life on life's terms these days though.
Very hard at times.
Chin up!
I keep that over my desk in the office next to my black and white of William Morris, my designer socialist.
When it comes to people being shits - it’s often the ones closest who hurt you the most. One old saying that I hold to is " What goes around comes around".
Stay above it and hold your professionalism and your track record high. Few can match it.
It's really true that life can turn to mush in what seems like a nanosecond, a realization that what we thought held true in fact was always a pile of the brown stuff, but we just didn't 'see it at the time'.
When trust goes, everything goes.
But we learn to move on, burnt bridges and 'all.