Strive to be Happy

Remember the Desiderata?

Go placidly among the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. . .

When I was a teenager, I used to have a poster of the Desiderata hanging on the wall of my bedroom.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others. . .

During those confusing, growing-up days, those words used to soothe me.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. . .

Those words used to whisper across my room . . . giving me hope for a life beyond the agony of adolescence.

Enjoy. . .

Keep interested. . .

Strive for high ideals. . .

Be yourself. . .

Over the years, though, as I really did grow up, I sort of forgot about the Desirderata.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. . .

Until a few years ago, when I stumbled upon it again, in book form, on the clearance table in my local Barnes & Noble.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. . .

Now, that book sits out on my coffee table all the time.  It's a beautiful book, and I pick it up and read through the poem often.

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. . .

The words still whisper to me from across the room

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. . .

Reminding me.

Strive to be happy.

 

Comments

[Cookie]

What a wonderful poem. Thank you for introducing it to me. It may be just what I've been looking for.

[Marilyn]

I hadn't heard of this before either. But it is beautiful...calming and thoughtful.
Thank you.

[Chiko]

Beautiful!
Hurray for the clearance table in Barnes & Noble! ;o)

[Patty]

Big influence in my husband's family. I think his Dad actually hung it in the house when they were kids. Have a nice weekend Kym!

[margene]

Being the cynical old hippie that I am I remember the National Lampoon version, called Deteriorata, quite well.
Desiderata strikes more of a cord with me today than it ever did.
Thanks, Kym!

[Vicki]

OMG, now I must try to find the Deteriorata!! But this... oh, I believe I once knew it by heart.
; )

[Carole]

I love that you shared this and the book version is awesome.

[Geri]

What wonderful quotes! I must find this book!