DECIDERATA~ Max Ehrmann - 1952
Brian
Just got this from Dan Millman's newsletter:
DECIDERATA~ Max Ehrmann - 1952
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 God 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
Access: Public
dan millman
August 2008 
Thanks for reminding me to remember….1952, i spent the first nine months in silence that year, listening intently to the heart beat of my mother, stories of my father, the in and out flow of nutrients coming through the placenta….i remember the sweet sound of my cells dividing, dancing more and more together and united i became that year….i remember being at complete peace, in the balance of the play of growing utopia….i remember listening so intently …so totally so fully so completely….thanks for reminding me, especially at this time of emergency and urgent crisis in Iowa….i am heading out to lead a workshop on all things deciderada, for the leaders of children at risk in Iowa…from the mountains of Vermont ….theOparty.com is taking form to Owaken, Ompower and CHANGE all aspects of poverty to wealth….pOw…..thanks for reminding me of the sweetness of the first nine months of 1952…..thanks for reminding me to always include your passionate genius in all that I manifest….blessings of being the power of water….or that SPACE of “nothing” making up the water….
Pardon my irreverence, but the National Lampoon version is a hoot. :)
http://www.cs.umd.edu/~dabe/txt/deteriorata
Right on! This is the perfect read for me this morning. Thanks for posting, Bri!
Plus, 1952 was an important year for me. It's the year both of my parents were born. :)
“… no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
kira: hilarious. :)
rasa: you have a good memory. :) pOw!
sir david: yayuh! have fun at lohas, yo! :)
Brian…my memory is so so, average i think …not sure as i am spending too much time with my 88 year old mom with dementia…My imagination is great, but seldom use it …my intuition is solid and intact….the heart on fire factor. Come to Vermont for theOplay.com workshop on urgent emergency crisis system management PREVENTION.. you can LEAD the ten day MEDITATIVE workshop…?? Leaving Saturday…starts Sunday…..
Thanks for sharing the poem, Brian. I remember in the early 70's when the spoken version by Les Crane came out. The words are timeless, and meant to be shared.