On lockdown Day 46, and with Mothersday just behind us, I was somehow reminded about a story I posted a while ago about the inspiration and guidelines laid out by my Father when I was just a boy.
This somehow again revealed it's clarity to me, and each time it does, I am reminded of the power and strength that can be found in each and every one of these paragraphs. They are unassuming and touched my soul all those years ago, and to this day gives me peace and courage in these trying times.
I decided I need to put this out there again, as there may be someone who may find it as encouraging as I do each time I read it.
Take care everyone, stay safe, and remember to find the beauty around you.
Dad & Mom
Dad and Mom (1950's)
Dad's Original handmade Print.
This was the original wall hanging that hung in my father's study in my family home. My father made me read this many times and encouraged me to take time to truly understand the words I read.
I spent many nights as a young boy going through this writing one line at a time and asking him questions to better understand this, what I now have come to realise, profound writings. While he read and did work in his study till late into the night I over the years slowly started understanding the intense value entrenched in every line and how it has become the words i try to now live my life by. I only just recently realised and discovered an error in the last line, lol :-) in my copy it says "Be careful" and in the proper copy it says "Be cheerful"
This is extremely popular so most people have read it. But if you have never read it, I encourage you to take time out to read it with careful consideration at least once. It is most definitely worth the read.
I remember watching him and my uncle burning the edge of the paper print and mounting it on the wood and then sealing it with varnish.
My Dad gave it to me just before he passed away 5 years ago at the age of 85. It has come to mean the world to me and I cherish every word and somehow learn something new no matter how many times I read it.
I have now placed on my kitchen wall as a constant reminder of the strength in character he so effortlessly displayed throughout his life.
I will certainly be passing this on to the next generation and hopefully will remain a constant source of encouragement and guidance for our family for a long time to come.
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 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 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 in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
By Max Ehrmann © 1927
Original text
Written source:
https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html
Note: Images are my own the original copy print done by my father.
My Original Post:
https://steemit.com/life/@michaeljn/desiderata-kp8hvtiz