Desiderata

Phil Brady: Posts: 174
Join date: 2008-08-18

Post n°1

Desiderata

Post by Phil Brady on Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:47 am

Something positive. This poem I had on a poster in my bedsit when I first left home. It got me through alot of dark times and I've just shared it with a buddy who's having a hard time of it all at the mo.

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 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, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Mick Tully

Mick Tully: Moderator; Posts: 801
Join date: 2008-06-14
Age: 40
Location: coventry

Post n°2

Re: Desiderata

Post by Mick Tully on Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:13 pm

Surprisingly......this is one of my all time faves
Good work mate
Mick x

Steve Rowe

Steve Rowe: Posts: 136
Join date: 2008-06-17

Post n°3

Re: Desiderata

Post by Steve Rowe on Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:41 pm

I like Billy Conolly's version......

Billy Connolly's Desiderata........ excerpt from his book

Tread gently on anyone who looks at you sideways.

Have lots of long lie-ins.

Wear sturdy socks, learn to grow out of medium underwear and if you must lie about your age, do it in the other direction: tell people you're ninety-seven and they'll think you look f****** great.

Try to catch a trout and experience the glorious feeling of letting it go and seeing it swimming away.

Never eat food that comes in a bucket.

If you don't know how to meditate at least try to spend some time every day just sitting. Boo joggers. Don't work out, work in.

Play the banjo.

Sleep with somebody you like.

Eat plenty of Liquorice Allsorts.

Try to live in a place you like.

Marry somebody you like.

Try to do a job you like.

Never turn down an opportunity to shout, 'F*** them all!' at the top of your voice.

Avoid bigots of all descriptions.

Let your own bed become to you what the Pole Star was to sailors of old ... look forward to it.

Don't wear tight underwear on aeroplanes.

Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? ... He's a mile away and you've got his shoes.

Clean your teeth and keep the company of people who will tell you when there's spinach on them.

Avoid people who say they know the answer and keep the company of people who are trying to understand the question.

Don't pat animals with sneaky eyes.

If you haven't heard a good rumour by 11 a.m., start one.

Learn to feel sorry for music because, although it is the international language, it has no swearwords.

If you write a book, be sure it has exactly seventy-six 'fuck's in it.

Avoid giving LSD to guide dogs.

Don't be talked into wearing a uniform and salute nobody.

Never run with scissors or other pointy objects.

Campaign against blue Smarties.

Above all, go to Glasgow at least once in your life and have a roll and square sliced sausage and a cup of tea. When you feel the tea coursing over your spice-singed tongue, you'll know what I mean when I say: 'It's good to be alive!'. "