Desiderata - A Life Changing Poem for Hard Times

[Newest Reality]

Max Ehrmann was an American attorney and poet who often wrote on spiritual themes. During his life, he contributed great thoughts to our literary lexicons, blending the magic of words and wisdom with his worthy observations.

Desiderata, which means “things that are desired,” was written by Max Ehrmann “because it counsels those virtues I felt most in need of.”

[hamsterjill]

1. Desiderata has gotten me through many things!!!

I have a plaque on my wall with this poem and I’ve shared it many times in my life.

Thanks for posting. We are truly children of the universe and we have a RIGHT to be here.

Edited to add: Les Crane’s spoken version is probably the best known. Here’s a link: (And did you know he was once married to Tina Louise of Gilligan’s Island fame?)

[Newest Reality]

4. Thank you for that!

[ZZenith]

2. Go placidly amid the noise and haste...

These words have saved my bacon innumerable times:

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.[3]

Max Ehrmann, 1948

[Newest Reality]

5. I appreciate you providing the text there.

[ZZenith]

6. Appreciate you posting the video!

[malaise]

13. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

I say this many times when Don the criminally negligent Con appears on my TV

[yonder]

3. Thank you. I forgot about this

and printed it out and placed where it will do the most good.

[Newest Reality]

7. Excellent. You are welcome and that's a good idea.

[struggle4progress]

8. Deteriorata

Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.

Avoid quiet and passive persons unless you are in need of sleep.

Rotate your tires.

Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself,
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss and when.

Consider that two wrongs never make a right,
But that three lefts do.

Wherever possible put people on "HOLD".

Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment,
And despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.

Remember the Pueblo.

Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate.

Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI.

Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you;
That lemon on your left for instance.

Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls,
Would scarcely get your feet wet.

Fall not in love therefore; it will stick to your face.

Carefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan,
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch.

For a good time, call 606-4311.

Take heart amid the deepening gloom that your dog
Is finally getting enough cheese;
And reflect that whatever fortunes may be your lot,
It could only be worse in Sioux City.

You are a fluke of the Universe.
You have no right to be here, and whether you can hear it or not,
The Universe is laughing behind your back.

Therefore make peace with your God whatever you conceive him to be,
Hairy Thunderer or Cosmic Muffin.

With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
The world continues to deteriorate.

Give up.

http://web.mit.edu/~yandros/poetry/deteriorata

[Newest Reality]

10. I was awating that one!

The National Lampoon did a version of it:

[struggle4progress]

11. I couldn't resist. I've always liked Desiderata but Deteriorata reflects my deep cynicism

[Newest Reality]

12. This is a duality. ;)

[Boomerproud]

9. I found this in a frame while going thru an old box

of memorabilia. It now hangs on my bedroom wall. I remember the parody too.