Sunday, May 24, 2009

Manic Monday - memorial

~PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MELLOW YELLOW MONDAY~




Mo's word for Monday 5/25 is
memorial

DESIDERATA
(desired things)

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 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 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 God 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 careful. Strive to be happy.

~Max Ehrmann


11 comments:

Terry said...

happy birthday mary t....love terry

SandyCarlson said...

Thanks for posting this, Mary. Perhaps it should be an addendum to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jim said...

Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!
Happy Birthday, Mary!

That's all the better that I can sing. No wonder they booted me out of a church choir once in New Hampshire. I don't sing except for birthday songs to this day!

I sure would hate to memorize all this (Sandy's comment) along with the pledge. I have enough troubles remembering the newly added "under God" provo.
That was added in 1954, I was out of school by then, a working college dropout, and could care less about the pledge back then. When I got drafted in 1956 I had to relearn it as ammended.

Again, Happy Birthday and see you on Ruby Tuesday.
..

Travis Cody said...

I like that passage a lot.

Those who have made the ultimate sacrifice have my eternal gratitude today and all days.

And a very happy birthday to you my dear!

Anonymous said...

Hau`oli La Hanau to you Mary.

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear, Mary
Happy Birthday to you.

Wonderful tribute. I hope you have an awesome day. Aloha

Dianne said...

Beautiful Mary!

Happy Birthday

Happily Retired Gal said...

Lovely choice for today. I've had this hanging on my wall for decades.
Hugs and blessings,

storyteller said...

Ooop ... I meant to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY too ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

carol g said...

Beautiful... thank you.

And a belated Happy Birthday.

Mo and The Purries said...

A lovely essay - was it a commencement speech?

Anonymous said...

Mary I'm confused which is nothing new and different. Because of this post I wished you a happy birthday on my site. Then I see in another post of your's it's the annieversary of Ruby Tuesday. Have I done wrong here? LOL