Desiderata

Last Sunday was like a "yesterday once more" when I heard a friend playing "Desiderata" (a.k.a You are the child of the universe) on the piano. It was an old old song I came to know long after my late father gave me a beautiful poster tittled "Desiderata". I was still in junior high school back then and not yet able to grab the hidden idea behind the writing. As I've become older (for sure) and wiser (hopefully ) I learned that this beautiful poem is about attaining happiness in life. Desiderata means "desired things" (in Latin, plural of desideratum)

D E S I D E R A T A
by: Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorance; 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 or 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 not this 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 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 labour 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.

Found in Old St, Paul’s Church, Baltimore 1692**


PS:
For years I considered this poem was "found in Old St.Paul's Church, Baltimore, 1692" since the poster given by my late father was my only source. But yesterday when I was googling for any Desiderata videoclips or mp3 file I found out about the controversies regarding the authorship, copyright and history of this beautiful poem. Here are some notes which I would like to share with you:

- Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945, was the "real" author. The evidence is explained long and vivid in many sites. Like, among others, this site or this site.
- If you listen to the above Desiderata video clip , you might take the phrase second from the last line as : "Be carefull". But many source chose "Be cheerfull" since it seems more in tune with the rest of the poem, and it appears in a version published by the Indiana Publishing Co. during Mr. Ehrmann's lifetime. I myself feel Be Cheerfull is more "inspiring"

BE CHEERFULL
STRIVE TO BE HAPPY

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.