Rules to live by

[RLL39]

Seems I've been so busy lately enjoying the Villages lifestyle that I missed a thread about "Why he did not move to the Villages." No, I'm not going to re-mow that grass, but I recalled a favorite prose written some time ago and Gracigirl's comments brought the message into focus and so appropriate to all the "can't we all just get along," dialogue. I hope you enjoy:

Desiderata

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.

©1927 Max Ehrmann (renewed) Bell & Son publishing, LLC
Used with permission

[Blessed2BNTV]

Timely post..very timely. Thank you.

[senior citizen]

Seems I've been so busy lately enjoying the Villages lifestyle that I missed a thread about "Why he did not move to the Villages." No, I'm not going to re-mow that grass, but I recalled a favorite prose written some time ago and Gracigirl's comments brought the message into focus and so appropriate to all the "can't we all just get along," dialogue. I hope you enjoy:

Desiderata

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.

©1927 Max Ehrmann (renewed) Bell & Son publishing, LLC
Used with permission


Absolutely beautiful.........hauntingly beautiful words.....

Many thanks for posting that; it's always been one of my favorites......

The message never grows old; it's one that truly needs repeating......and hopefully taken to heart by the curmudgeons **

A bit of trivia below.....

American writer Max Ehrmann (1872–1945) wrote the prose poem "Desiderata" in 1927. In 1956, the Reverend Frederick Kates, rector of Saint Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, included Desiderata in a compilation of devotional materials for his congregation.

The compilation included the church's foundation date: "Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore A.D. 1692".

Consequently, the date of the text's authorship was (and still is) widely mistaken as 1692, the year of the church's foundation.

Word Origin & History

desiderata

pl. of desideratum (1650s), from L., lit. "something for which desire is felt," from pp. stem of desiderare "to long for" , to desire

desideratum (dɪˌzɪdəˈrɑːtəm)

— n , pl -ta something lacked and wanted [from Latin; see desiderate ]

de·sid·er·a·ta

[dih-sid-uh-rey-tuh, -rah-, -zid-]

plural noun (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/browse/noun), singular de·sid·er·a·tum.

things wanted or needed; the plural of desideratum: "Happily-ever-after" and "eternal love" appear to be the desiderata of the current generation; to whom "fat chance" say those of us who are older, wiser, and more curmudgeonly**. Synonyms: essentials, necessities, requisites, sine qua nons.

[BarryRX]

In the '60's, every college dorm room had that poster hanging on a wall. Beautiful!

[graciegirl]

Seems I've been so busy lately enjoying the Villages lifestyle that I missed a thread about "Why he did not move to the Villages." No, I'm not going to re-mow that grass, but I recalled a favorite prose written some time ago and Gracigirl's comments brought the message into focus and so appropriate to all the "can't we all just get along," dialogue. I hope you enjoy:

Desiderata

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.

©1927 Max Ehrmann (renewed) Bell & Son publishing, LLC
Used with permission


What good thoughts to start the day in this beautiful place. Good Morning.