The Desiderata as a Prayer and My Christmas Card to you all...

The 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.

~ Max Ehrmann ~
Copyright 1952

Dear Ones,

I have started this entry five different times, always beginnning with The Desiderata, and then continuing on with long writings afterwards, none of which seemed right by the time I got finished with them. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees so to speak.

I has all come, simply, down to this. I have been repeating, daily, over and over, like a prayer, the beautiful Desiderata, and I thought Yes! It is Christmas time and I've no time this year for holiday notes, don't know when the time for gift shopping will come, and sit waiting breathlessly day by day waiting for my blessed mother's passing which will come very soon.

In light of all of this, I realized that the poem stands alone, I don't need to write a long piece after it, I want to give it to you, dear readers, and pray that it brings you the peace that it has brought to me through these hard times, and yes, it can be read like a prayer, and a good one, I think, to carry into the new year.

Blessings and Love, Gentleness and Kindness, and Tender Thoughts and Prayers to you this holiday season. To all of you who read my blogs, and have supported me with so many kind comments that I haven't had time to answer this year, I wish you a Happy Christmas & Merry Everything...

Love,