Desiderata

Just 2 years ago, when I was still in high school, our teacher gave us this prose poem for us to work on and reflect for our Values Education subject.

When I read the poem, I was in awe of it's accuracy. This literally explained everything this world and it's people are going through for generations to generations. It is like an instruction on how to handle life in the world. Although nothing compared to the Bible, but this one is shorter but nonetheless very compelling.

I'm really grateful that I came across this poem for it has truly inspired me in ways I cannot imagine.

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Desiderata
(Latin for: Desired Things)
by M. Ehrmann

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 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 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 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 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 born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle to yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars
and 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 confusions of life.
Keep peace within your soul;
with all it's sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

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There had been controversies as to who truly wrote this poem because, from what I understood, it was mysteriously found on Old Saint Paul's Church in Baltimore, MD during 1692. Because of this, it has been referred to as The Baltimore Prayer.

It became a phenomenon, because of it's construction and history, however, literary detectives went to work on Desiderata. Soon, it's true story was slowly revealed.

They found out that it was really written in 1927, by Max Ehrmann, a poet/author and lawyer graduate from Harvard's School of Philosophy.

But despite all this, many questions still remain. And if you are interested in learning about the history of Desiderata, you may want to be redirected here.