oh happy happy day

it's my
birthday!

so i'm
gonna give
you-all
a present

enjoy:

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.

***

and now for something completely different : Longevity

***

10 comments:

Fernando said...

That's a calm message in a violent world...

Me said...

Happy B-Day, Goddess. Enjoy it thoroughly. And thanks for the calming poem. We all need it.

Anonymous said...

Happy B-day and great poem!

Anonymous said...

Happy B-day to AZ! Desiderata is really YOUR anthem, isn't it! Didn't Leonard Nimoy set it to music years ago? I'm so sorry your day falls on SOTU this year. Please ignore the little bushbastard & enjoy your day. You can read all about it later, if you want to. ~~ D.K.

Pam said...

Happy Birthday AZ Goddess!! Eat LOTS of cake! And drink with us over at Rancho La Luna this evening ;-).

Peacechick Mary said...

Desiderata - love it myself, so thanks and have a happy, happy day! Do a little dance for all of us.

Lew Scannon said...

Happy Birthday. Too bad Bush has to ruin it by making another pointless speech.

Spadoman said...

Happy Birthday to you.

FreakyNick said...

Happy Happy Birthday AZ! Dance, Party and Eat your cake.

Too bad your Birthday was marred by the SOTU. I hope you were able to ignore that.

Wouldn't it have been great, while watching the SOTU, you made a wish, blew the candles out on the cake, and **POOF**, an empty podium. We all have dreams.

Sorry I'm day late, Happy Birthday again.

enigma4ever said...

Have a wonderful Birthday - celebrate all week...have a good time...You got some snow for your birthday ;-)