My door to Desiderata

I think lots of us have had this experience: One finds something and the thing being found catches one's curiosity. After having examined the thing, one calls for other people's attention: "Look what I have found!" Maybe not everyone find it worth to have a look at, - though most probably someone will say: "Oh, that! Yes, for sure I have heard about it, - I know pretty much about it."

So I feel beeing the slowest one and the last one to know it. However, my privilege is to learn from them!

I have all my life liked the pattern of a smaller portion of signs or letters put together in an exact order. Not that important to understand the language behind the characters. This time it happened that I found the sort of attractive composition on the wall in the dining room of a friendly family I know very well. Where I was sitting at the table I could look over to the picture the way you can see to the left above. I went closer and took these pictures:

And when I  went closer:

That was how I started to read Desiderata.

Then I made a search on Internet, and there were an endless row of hits.

That was how I realised that there are lots of people who know quite a lot about Desiderata.

Do you know Desiderata?

Is there a special phrase in Desiderata you like very well or one or more you do not like at all?

FYI: Here you can read The Confused History of "Desiderata":

http://www.fleurdelis.com/desidera.htm

enok@kippersund.no

26.09.2005

Comments

Great thanks to L. and m for your contributions

~ Yes, v. well known in the 1970s sort of icon for the
post-flower-power era. :)

My favourite - "Strive to be happy". A nice sentiment
and I am still trying. :)

L.

i used to have a full size poster of the desiderata on my livingroom
wall, during the hippie years.  i am a pollyanna, and it fits in well
with the happy texts.  here is an excellent site for information about
the poem:

http://www.wowzone.com/desi.htm

in 1970 (the year i graduated from high school), it was even set to
music and reached #8 in 1971.  i can remember countless hours trying to
memorize it from the song before finding the poster:

The Desiderata
Les Crane lyrics

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 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

(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)

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 perenial as the grass
Take kindly the council 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 imaginings
Many fears are borne 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 careful
Strive to be happy

m