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 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.

 

"Desiderata" (Latin: "desired things")

 

-Max Ehrmann

The Walk

So you and I are sitting on a bench at Riverbank State Park which overlooks the Hudson River and gives an awesome view of the George Washington Bridge 2.8 miles to the North.  I look directly across the river where I can see what’s called the Horizon House Building and decide that I want to go and get a closer look.  When I mention it to you, quickly you agree that you want to as well.  I explain to you that we don’t have a car or money for any type of transportation and then adding “but we can walk”.  When you ask how, I point to the bridge and say “we can go that way”.  Your response is “We can do this…  Let’s go”.

 

After walking about a mile, you decide to change your mind.  You don’t want to go over there.  When we get about a quarter of the way across the bridge, you decide that you want to go back.  I know that it’s worth going, but you stopped believing that the trip is worth it.  SO….

 

Should I go it alone?

 

Should I turn back too?

 

Of course the choice is mine….

 

The point here is…  Why bother to share with someone who wants to partake in a thing when just prior to reaching the halfway mark they’re going to decide that it’s not worth it.