Friday, March 29, 2013

Wisdom from Dad




A couple of years ago I was going through an extremely stressful time in my life. I had been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, I was dealing with people trying to hurt my family, and work wasn't going the way that I wanted it to go. My father has always been the one that I look to for sound advice it tough situations. Besides being a good man and father, he has a way of looking at all sides of an issue before giving his advice. During that time, he gave me many words of wisdom and he told me to read Desiderata. That time in my life has passed now as do all tough times in our lives and new ones take their place. I still go back and read it sometimes and get filled with  strength needed to face new challenges. 




    Desiderata by Max Ehrmann



      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 1952.




18 comments:

  1. What great inspiration. I hope you are cancer free and stay that way!

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  2. Aren't Dads the best? I feel so fortunate to have a great one, too. His advice means everything to me!

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  3. Wonderful fatherly advice and inspiration.

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  4. What great advice from your dad - and a great read, too!

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  5. I love this. It really speaks to me right now. Thank you.

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  6. That is so awesome that your dad gave you that advice! I was going through a rough patch extremely similar to the one you described, but I didn't really tell anyone about it and kept it all to myself. My dad and I have a great relationship, but my dad usually makes jokes to avoid too serious of a discussion when we have to talk one on one.

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  7. I love this. Your dad gave you some special advice.

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  8. I remember reading this when I was a teenager--a time when I really needed to find a way to live. Wonderful to see it again. It is time fr me to read and reread this again and again. You are so lucky to have such a thoughtful father.

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  9. This is inspirational and beautiful. God bless you and family with health and happiness.

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  10. Dads are the BEST. Mine would never have thought to tell me to read that, but he would have been quietly and solidly there every day in every way.

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  11. That's beautiful and touching! My daughter is going through health issues, and I will be passing this on. We all need reminders of this sometimes, but these are important teachings to take to heart and be inspired by. God bless you and keep you healthy.

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  12. Good advice and wise sayings. I like a lot of the sayings in this book. I will have to remember some of these in my daily life.

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  13. This is such good advice and inspiring. It reminds of all of the beauty around us and the importance we play in this world but also that everyone is important and respect that.

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  14. Good advice and nice to hear some wisdom

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  15. This is beautiful in how it talks about respecting others. We all have a story and are important. There are heroes all around us.

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