by Nasoosie » Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:30 am
GOOD MORNING KATHLEEN, AND ALL!
It sounds as if your red hat affair was fun! It will get much warmer again today, which will feel good again.
Yep, the two dogs were sure it was 7:00 and not the 8:00 this computer said when I woke up! So up I got, as usual, and out we went into the yard for the morning circuit. Now we are back inside, they have eaten, and I have my Hazlenut coffee. I love being able to just let them out without worrying about trafic and running away----this entire yard is fenced and surrounded by cattle farms. I love watching the new little calves frolic around free, drink from their mamas, and rest in the sunshine. Some things make me realize that the natural world strives to keep some continuity despite the pitfalls and un-natural things we humans tend to do to our surroundings.
Nature is not always kind, as witnessed by the horrific happenings in Japan, but I suspect that if we humans had built our cities away from the coasts on higher land and had built our buildings lower and stronger, that we could rectify much of the destruction caused by these natural earthquakes and tsunamis. I will have to say that Japan is way ahead of much of the human world with their building construction, thank heavens, which has been a real saving grace for many people there. Hopefully we are learning more about the dangers of our methods of generating our power and I suspect that the Japanese people will make history with newer, safer, more effective methods in the near future. I have been reciting in my mind one of my favorite pieces of prose overnight and this morning, and I hope no one will mind if I post it here again this morning. It always gives me hope for humanity.
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.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Desiderata poem was originally written by Max Ehrmann. It was used by Rev Frederick Kates of St Paul´s Church in Baltimore in devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. On top of this material he had written "Old St paul´s Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692". The year was the foundation year of the church.
We are all children of the Universe. We need to keep reminding ourselves of this fact.
Life is about learning to dance in the rainHappy travels!