Desiderata

by: Max Ehrmann

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.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

history of the poem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata

Forgive and Remember

When someone terribly hurt us, we’re reluctant to forgive because we fear that forgiving also requires forgetting. We’re reluctant to forgive because we fear that forgetful forgiving will open us or others up to being hurt again. We’re reluctant to forgive, because we fear that forgetful forgiving will totally ignore or undo the things which are fair and just. By not trying to forgive, we are chaining ourselves to the injuries we suffered from the perpetrator. We would be closing our own hearts to the grace of our forgiving God, which seeks to shine through us all. By not trying to forgive, we would be shutting ourselves of the loving relationship of the person who hurt us. But how does one know when true forgiveness has taken place? More than just words, true forgiveness takes place in the heart. It begins on that day when we no longer carry ill will toward the person who hurt us. By forgiving, we let go of the burden of pain in our own hearts. In forgiving, we opened up a door to personal reconciliation with the person who hurt us. By forgiving we do not necessarily forgive and forget. Rather, what we did was forgive and remember. As Christians, we forgive and remember, to learn from our injuries. We can forgive and remember to protect ourselves and others, from the repetition of those injuries. We can forgive and remember so that fairness and justice are preserved.

-seen from the fb post of my lolo's brother...   :)