Amid the noise and haste...

One week from today is Thanksgiving. The more we look around, the more we find for which we are grateful and in need of giving thanks. Slowly we are learning that much of the difference between a good day and an otherwise one depends as much on our focus and attitude as on the day’s actual events. We remember some advice from a management seminar years (and years) ago, under the heading of management by walking around: keep your eyes open so you can catch people doing something right and thank them for it. (It probabbly also works on Zoom, but maybe not  as well.) A very different approach to Aha! If need be, there’s almost always an opportunity to revert to Scrooge mode, but how often is that necessary?

Harry the beagle and SiSi the Lab caught behaving well

Photo by J. Harrington

In today’s Guardian, Rebecca Solnit offered Ten ways to confront the climate crisis without losing hope. That prompted us to remember that, lurking somewhere around the house, is a copy of Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata. It will probably turn up during the next week as we dig out seasonal decorations, books and music. In case you’ve never heard of it, or read it, we’ve included it as today’s poem, because we think the season, our moods, and our home planet could be vastly improved if more of us took its sentiments to heart and did our best to actually live them. 

Desiderata 

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 the 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 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 with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. 

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

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