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 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 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 careful. Strive to be happy.

 

- Anonymous - found in old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore