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, 1927.


de.sid.er.a.ta
plural noun
"things wanted or needed"
from stem of desiderare--"to long for; to desire"
Yes.  This is true.  This is good.  [I'm not sure I agree with the last line--strive to be happy--because I think that other emotions are valuable, too, but nonetheless, this is beautiful.]  These are things needed or desired.  I need them.  I want them in my life.  
Side note:  It is interesting that this was written 85 years ago.  Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who feels a certain way or the only one who fails in certain things or the only one who...fill in the blank.  Tonight I am reminded that that is not true.  And I am reminded that I am surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from whom I can learn and by whom I am encouraged.  
These words were healing for me tonight... and I think that they will continue to be as I ponder them in the days to come.  


"But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.Beyond a wholesome discipline,be gentle with yourself." 

h.

My friend is moving to Ontario.

My friend and I rarely see each other, and actually don't even communicate via internet often.
We run into each other every once in awhile and sometimes I send her a message with some question about life or death or heaven or faith.

That's probably not going to change.
I'll probably still run into her, even if it's less frequent.  And I'm sure I'll still have burning questions that I'll come to her with.

So, it's a little odd to me how sad I am about her move.  But it's true.  I am sad and I'm going to miss her.  Not like the people of her church.  Not like her neighbors or dear friends or family.  My sadness is much less profound because I am not losing so much--our interactions will look almost identical to when she lived right here, except for our recent meetings at JP's...  Nevertheless, this sadness is real.  And I think it's a sign of a healthy relationship, that I will miss her.

But as I wander around the bittersweet feelings in my heart, I feel the pangs of sadness and goodbye and the heartache that comes with those, and I feel anticipation and excitement and hope for what lies ahead, but, most of all, I feel grateful.

H, I am so grateful for you.  Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement, for answering--or trying to answer--all of my questions.  Thank you for your hugs and your conversations and your prayers.  Thank you for letting yourself be used by God in so many ways in my life.  You have been instrumental in many ways.  You have been a role model, perhaps without knowing so.  And although I'm saying goodbye to the chances of running into you at our third place, I'm so grateful that I don't need to say goodbye to you.

I don't know why I feel such a need to write this to you, or why I'm not just sending it to you in a message, but this is for you.  It's not much, but it is genuine, as are the prayers I am continually praying for you, your family, and all the goodbyes and hellos in the days ahead.  Peace, my friend, and much love.