A Christmas Wish

**sevenoaks** · 24th December 11, 12:22 PM

DESIDERATA

This is the Season that many face alone for one reason or another. To you I offer this poem written in 1927. To those who have family around them read and know.

Desiderata is the famous writing of Max Ehrmann. It means "desired things." It urges people to see the beauty and troubles of the world through wise, hopeful and compassionate eyes. Ehrmann said he wrote it for himself "because it counsels those virtues I felt most in need of."

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 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 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 critical 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 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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you All
(sevenoaks) Jim and Ingrid

© Max Ehrmann 1927

**cessna152towser** · 24th December 11, 01:28 PM

Thankyou for your kind words.
It will be a quiet Christmas for me here in Scotland as my family are all in Canada and my girlfriend is in Germany and I look forward to seeing them again in 2012.