Desiderata

"Metamorphosis of the Leaf Butterfly"

by Duy Huynh

I am a fan of Lark and Key Gallery on FaceBook, and they just published an image of this new painting by Duy Huynh. I love it! I so want to see the original--or at least a print. If I am this moved by small digital images of his artwork, just imagine how rewarding it would be to see his work in person. I simply must visit Lark and Key in Charlotte, even if I have to make a special trip just for that purpose.

I stumbled across the poem, "Desiderata" recently. Of course we've all read it before, but it spoke to me in a fresh way this time. Max Erhmann's rich pearls of wisdom have traveled across the decades from 1927 to touch my soul in 2009. And so I wanted to share his poem with you. I hope you have time to read it and let it speak to you. It's a gem.


Desiderata
("Desiderata" is Latin for "desired things")
By Max Ehrmann
1927

“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. ”