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ADVICE FROM
THE PAST
It is still
true today
This came
to me from a friend.
I find it
particularly fascinating that this document, obviously
written with a great deal of thought and passion, could
be just as appropriate today, as it was the day it was
written by Max Ehrmann (1872 - 1945) sometime in the 1920's.
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.
Conclusion:
It would seem to me that
the values that people held dear years ago could just as
easily be applied to life today. What is old is new
again, or at least we should try and make it so, for the
benefit of us all.
PS: When I originally added this
article to my site a few years ago it came with the
following notation: The following document was found in Old St.
Paul's Church in Baltimore in 1692. Author unknown - age
of document unknown. The real truth about the source
of this document was recently pointed out to me by a
reader in England, my thanks to Elina for writing to me
and for providing the following link, http://www.fleurdelis.com/desidera.htm where you can
read for yourself the interesting background of a story
that was mistakenly given a history it did not deserve.
Remember
Wisdom is a
product of the past, not the future.
Part the
clouds - see the way.
"The
objective of karate-do is to contribute to the evolution
of the
human spirit through physical and mental training."
Sensei
Peter Lindsay
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