When I was in high school, I was introduced to the poem by Max Ehrmann . Many have thought, because it was falsely stated, that it was anonymous prose from about 1692 penned by a monk. Actually, it was written in 1927 by Ehrmann and is entitled “Desiderata”. The word means “something that is needed or wanted”. As a high school student, it certainly impressed me. For many years it hung in my office as a reminder of how to handle life.
Desiderata
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 Original text
Ehrmann captured a true understanding of life. Many today will read his words and determine that so much of life is unable to be planned and certainly not predicted. It is surprising to me that today it is the desire of so many in positions of authority to do just that, plan and predict but for control. This is a dangerous place for mankind to be. This has something that has always existed and history will bear that truth, Yet, today it has finally breached the walls of security in our nation to make the statement “In God, we trust” questionably to be true.
Now I know I trust in God and you probably do too. I have a lapel pin we used as an encouragement to my first church that says “Trust God”. I know why we are where we are at today as a nation. We as a nation have turned our backs on God. I didn’t and probably you didn’t but collectively as a nation we have. Simply, can and will we ever get it back? I don’t know but my gut tells me we won’t. There will still be some good days, but the horizon appears to have clouds building. Those clouds are, in my humble opinion, the clouds of a gathering of Jesus coming back for His church. Then the storm that will follow is the Great Tribulation.
Let’s continue to consider these thoughts the next time we are together.
A thought to ponder,
‘Elbert Nasworthy
