Anyone Can Make a Dent

In 1927, Terre Haute, Indiana lawyer/poet Max Ehrmann received a copyright for his poem, Desiderata. According to www.fleurdelis.com Mr. Ehrmann felt, in his words, that, "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift -- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods." He later would go on to give this "humble gift" out to family and friends in Christmas cards the years following. This poem would later be used in treatment during World War II-- distributed to untold numbers by Dr. Merrill Moore, an Army Psychiatrist. While authorship has been confused for several decades, beginning likely in the late '50's, Desiderata has been words of comfort and renewal of spirit since first penned. Even the war resistance peace movement of the '60's found inspiration in Ehrmann's words, using it as a sort of mantra. While the author died relatively unknown Sept 9, 1945, just days short of his 73 birthday, he wisely knew his words and his legacy would remain. “Perhaps even when I’m dead,” he wrote, “some browser in libraries will come upon me and, seeing that I was not altogether unworthy, will resurrect me from the dust of things forgotten.”

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 1927.