Time to adjust? or adapt?

It’s been a cloudy, showery day around here. The weather contributing to a feeling of ennui and malaise, which is probably just as well. We did a little outside work in yesterday’s heat and almost knocked ourselves out. At least we’re not coping with the floods of Yellowstone.

The rollercoaster weather is making it difficult to impossible to develop a syncopated rhythm or comfortable pattern to inside or outside chores. The good news is that we’re using the weather spasms as an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the philosophy displayed in the wonderful poem Desiderata. That revised attitude or perspective has been partially triggered and reinforced by a gift we received recently. It’s a book titled Things to Look Forward to. I’m just getting into it but, so far, I find I’m mostly in agreement.

trout streams are on the “TO DO” list

Photo by J. Harrington

As another clue that I may be on an improved track with a slightly improved outlook, today I got an email that informed me that I’m not the only fly fisher whose attempts at fishing get thwarted by the weather. The person who sent the message reported that two of his recent trips had been abruptly terminated or canceled by lightning or the threat thereof. Standing in water waving a 9 foot graphite rod is NOT RECOMMENDED when there’s lightning around. Usually, I’m more concerned about the prospect of having to get a hook removed from my head if I miscalculate an errant gust of wind during a forward cast.

If the forecast holds, we’ll get most of the poison ivy spraying done tomorrow and see if we can fit in some kind of playing before Father’s Day. We look forward to reporting on having had some kind of fun in the near future.

Desiderata: Original Text

This is the original text from the book where Desiderata was first published.

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

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