Desiderata
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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 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 whole 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 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 labours 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.
By Max Ehrmann © 1927 (Original text)
Voorvereiste vir ‘n gelukkige lewe
Video: https://youtu.be/di3paofGVgU
Gaan versigtig om in jou omgewing te midde van die geraas en die haas, en onthou die vrede wat daar in stilte kan wees. Lewe sover moontlik, sonder druk, en op goeie voet met alle mense.
Spreek jou waarheid stil en duidelik; en luister na ander, selfs na die ongevoeliges en onkundiges; ook hulle het ‘n verhaal om te vertel.
Vermy driftige en aggressiewe persone; hulle is irriterend vir die gees. Vermy om jou met ander persone tevergelyk, omdat dit jou verwaand of bitter kan maak, want daar sal altyd groter of minder belangrike mense as jy wees.
Geniet jou prestasies sowel as jou planne. Versterk die belangstelling in jou eie loopbaan, hoe nederig dit ook al is; dit is ‘n kosbare besitting op jou veranderende lewenspad.
Wees versigtig in jou besigheid, want die wêreld is vol bedrieërs. Laat dit jou egter nie verblind vir die deug wat daar bestaan nie; baie mense streef na hoë ideale, en die wêreld is vol dapper mense.
Wees jouself. Moenie toenadering feins nie. Wees ook nie sinies teenoor die liefde nie; want teenoor alle dorheid en ontnugtering is dit net so standhoudend soos die gras.
Neem die goeie raad van ondervinding, en verlaat die dinge van jou jeug sonder vrees.
Versterk die einskappe van jou gees om jou teen onvoorsiene ongeluk te beskerm. Vermy om jouself met donker gedagtes te besoedel. Baie vrese word gebore uit lewens-moegheid en eensaamheid.
Wees gerustellend met jouself maar behou ‘n heilsame gedragskode. Jy is ‘n kind van die heelal, belangrik soos die bome en die sterre; jy het die reg om hier te wees.
En soos dit duidelik moet wees vir jou, die heelal ontvou ongetwyfeld soos God dit wil hê. Leef daarom in vrede met God, ongeag wat jy van Hom dink. En wat jou arbeid en strewes ook al mag wees, in die lawaaierig verwarring van die lewe, bewaar die vrede in jou siel. Met al sy skyn, sleurwerk en gebroke drome, is dit steeds ‘n pragtige wêreld.
Wees vrolik. Streef daarna om gelukkig te wees.
