Max Ehrmann


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   more...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

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TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.He said "My son,the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all".

One is evil.It is anger,envy,jealousy,sorrow,regret,greed,selfishness,arrogance,self pity,guilt,resentment,inferiority,lies,false pride,superiority,and ego.

The other is good.It is joy,peace,love,hope,serenity,humility,benevolence,empathy,generosity,truth,compassion,and faith.

The grandson   more...thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied "The one you feed."



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Determination

"There is no chance, no destiny, no fate,can circumvent or hinder or control
The firm resolve of a determined soul.
Gifts count for nothing; will alone is great;
All things give way before it, soon or late.
What obstacle can stay the mighty force
Of the sea seeking river in it's course
Or cause the ascending orb of day to wait?
Each well-born soul must win what it deserves.
Let the fool prate of luck.
The fortunate is he whose earnest purpose
Never swerves,
Whose slightest action or inaction   more...serves
The one great aim.
Why even Death stands still,
And waits an hour some-times for such a will."

- ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.









Learning, if rightly applied, makes a young man thinking, attentive, industrious, confident and wary; and an old man cheerful and useful. It is an ornament in prosperity, a refuge in adversity, an entertainment at all times; it cheers in solitude, and gives moderation and wisdom in all circumstances- Palmer (you certainly start out hoping things work out that good;-)

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that counts.It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate converse with men of unseen generations....such is a pleasure beyond compare.
(Kenko Yoshida (1283-1352)  less