desiderata

Desiderata
by Max Ehrmann


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 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 with your soul.

With all its shame, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


.... This is my favorite poem.  It's my creed.  And it has been since I first read it at age sixteen.  Some people have the Bible.  Some people have the Quaran.  Some people have little statues of Buddha and candles and chants.  I have desiderata.  When I'm feeling angry at someone in my family, I read it and it calms me.  It makes me react with patience and compassion when I might not otherwise.  When I go through a breakup and am feeling alone in the world and lost in my own life, I read it, and I remember my purpose and my place in the universe and I feel hopeful and grateful for what I have.   When I feel overwhelmed with work or money issues or pressure, it reminds me to breathe and carry myself with grace.


It's a good creed.  I'm planning to get its title tattooed on my body this year.  Either down the side of my torso or sideways down the center of my left shoulderblade - but far enough down so it doesn't peek out of a sleeveless dress.  Well, maybe a little bit.  It's funny, I've talked a lot about this decision.  I emailed a list of my closest girlfriends to announce my decision, justify it and share my top eight font choices.  I emailed my parents with a lengthy explanation of what it means to me and why I feel I must permanently etch it into my skin.  Everyone was on board, surprisingly, even my father, who throughout high school threatened to skin me alive if I came home with a piercing (occasionally he still notices my cartilage piercing and asks if it's new...  bless his heart), but everyone was equally concerned with its location.  "You don't want people to be able to see it," they tell me.  But actually, I kind of do.  I need a little edge.  I'm constantly being told that I'm "cute" and "sweet," which is all well and good, and certainly not a bad thing, but...


... I need a little edge.  A little something to make people wonder "is she secretly a badass?"  Maybe it's supremely and obscenely cheesy, but, Angelina's is just so damn cool...