I have used the 1927 poem DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann several times, even recently, in my blog posts. I am attaching it again, but focusing on two parts of it in this particular blog post. Those parts are in red below.
DESIDERATA
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| | 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. |
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These are the parts I want to focus on - the parts that invite us to keep our eyes open to the trickery of the world, but not to lose our focus on those virtuous people who strive for high ideals and are full of heroism. Yes, there is a lot of sham, drudgery and broken dreams, but it is still a beautiful world if we have the eyes to see it!
One of things I try to balance in my life is to be realistic about sin and evil, while also not losing my focus on the fact that there is so much goodness, virtue and heroism as well. Back when I was writing my weekly column in The Record for fifteen years called An Encouraging Word (also the name of this blog), I decided from the very beginning that I would focus on goodness to affirm, rather than on sins to condemn. I was influenced by the quote that says, "We find whatever it is we're looking for!"
Why is it that it is easier to see the bad and ignore the good all around us? I have spent some time reflecting on this conundrum, both before I decided that I would focus on goodness to affirm rather than sin to condemn when I started my weekly column in The Record back in 2002 and ever since I started this blog afterwards as well. I must admit that it is not getting easier, but harder, to see the glass as half-full rather than half-empty. These days, I find myself asking myself "why is it getting harder to focus on those virtuous people who strive for high ideals and are full of heroism" than it used to be? They are still there, surely, so why is it becoming harder to focus on them? I do know that it is still "up to me" to choose where I place my focus no matter how hard it gets!
Here are some of the reasons I have come up with in my personal questioning around this issue of why it is becoming harder to focus on the goodness, virtue and heroism all around us and what I am doing to curb a lot of its negativity from invading my consciousness!
(1) We live in a culture saturated with 24 hour a day news cycle and social technology. I have cut way back on how much news I take in on any given day.
(2) That news tends to bombard us with negativity because bad news sells and good news bores. Many people are being pumped full of the emphasis on scandal, tragedies and corruption. I hear the bad news to be informed, but I deliberately look for sources that specialize in positive, educational and uplifting programming whenever and wherever possible.
(3) We have been given permission by the examples of some of our top leaders to express anger, resentment, hatred and revenge without holding back. They are setting the example and we are following their lead. With our hand-held i-phones, i-pads and laptop computers we have multiple ways to spew all the anger we feel, justified or not, true or not, all day and night if we choose. I do not use FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, SNAPCHAT and other social media platforms for that very reason. To me they seems to be laced with gossip, anger and grievances that I don't need, or want, to see, read or hear about! This blog is called "An Encouraging Word." Hopefully, it helps and heals, rather than condemns and castigates.
I joke with my brother when he asks how things are going. I usually joke with him and say, "I am like a doctor that nobody calls to say how much they have been helped. They only call when they are sick or need advice on their tragedies. No one has called me today to ask me how I am doing, or about what a great day they are having, but I have had at least five calls about how bad other people are having it today!" Instead of complaining, I usually end up by saying to him, "I only have aggravations. Most of those people have real problems. So I am not about to complain. I know in my heart of hearts that I get more affirmation than I deserve!"
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