Friday, September 22, 2006

Dreamin of living

I am dreaming of a blue sky, a cool breeze, a warm sun, ocean spray, sea gulls, and a juicy peach. This dream world is quiet, peaceful, idyllic. There is no unrest. I am not tired or queasy or worried or hungry or thirsty. There is no such thing as 9/11 or 911. There is peace, especially in my stomach. No such thing as hate crime, no such thing as propaganda, no such thing as agendas, no such thing as terror. Peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace, peace.

Friday, September 08, 2006

"I don't care"

This is an interesting line for me as usually as I utter the words I mean the exact opposite. Really, it is a sour grapes kind of situation. What I really mean is,"I really, really wish I didn't care, but I do." And many a time this occurs in a situation that cannot, should not or ought not to be changed. I really like this poem, I want to live it, though I often do not. But really as I had said earlier, I used to expect Happiness to be effortless, which isn't true. You must "strive to be happy."

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.