TO ALL,
In vexatious times such as we now have when so many folks are troubled in body, mind and spirit, it might be somewhat uplifting to read both the original and the modern spoofed-up versions of Desiderata (and fittingly so on a weekend)!
DESIDERATA
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 vexations 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 not this 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, 1927
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MODERN VERSION OF DESIDERATA
Go placidly amid the noise and hassle, and remember what chances there may be for skiving.
As far as possible without paying be on credit terms with all traders.
Speak your truth loudly and clearly but listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they may be your boss.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are trying to sell you something.
If you compare your wage packet with others you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be higher and lower wages than yours.
Enjoy your tea-breaks as well as your lunch.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; with the dole queues the length they are, you'd better.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to the chance of pulling a fast one yourself.
Many persons strike for high pay, and everywhere the dole queues are full of those who failed.
Be yourself; eff everyone else.
Especially, do not feign affection, unless of course there's money in doing so.
Neither be cynical about love; for in our high-tech Internet-driven society, there are much more profitable things to be cynical about.
In the face of all aridity and disenchantment, you're better off smoking grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, and book that facelift as early as possible; after all, you can hardly be much earlier than Michael Jackson.
Nurture a large bank balance to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings; reality is grim enough.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness, but most are born of getting up in the morning.
Beyond a wholesome skepticism, be ruthless with others: You are a child of the universe, no less than anyone else; you have a right to be here: but do they?
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt someone, somewhere is planning to grab what you've got.
Therefore be on guard against your enemies, whoever you conceive them to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep earplugs handy.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, this world never was much cop. Be careful.
Strive to be happy.
Copyright © 1997 Robert J. Baker. All rights reserved worldwide.
This is what I originally wrote in March 1996 about
geocities.com. |
