Max Ehrmann

Sent just now by a friend on Planet Florida:

This was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann. Simple, positively reinforcing, and well placed counsel that applies no matter the religious background of the listener. Still amazingly refreshing and uplifting if you let it be. (The poem apparently made the rounds in the 60's as some sort of hippie street wisdom, when - as the story goes - Crane read it on a street poster and decided to record it. The musical background was by Fred Werner, who found the poster in a Los Angeles store. It won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording in 1971. (The first recording of the poem was by the UK group Every Which Way in 1970 as "Child of the Universe". National Lampoon parodied this on the album Radio Buffet as"Deteriorata." It starts: "You are a freak of the universe. You have no right to exist.") My dad won the 45 rpm record of this from WGBS in Miami when I was a child.

Desiderata“Things To Be Desired”
-- Max Ehrmann, 1927 --

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.