Here is what I want to read to all the people who are missing milestones in their lives - weddings, graduations, being with loved ones on holidays, holding a new grandchild. It is one of my favorite writings that I still hold onto, having learned it in college. There is new meaning every time I listen or read. Please read aloud with people you love.
Desiderata
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 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 univers 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~ Max Ehrmann 1927
5.22.2020
"When they go low, we go high." I love Michele Obama's quote. Absolutely love it, as the words embody everything we need to know about civil discourse, courtesy, and forgiveness. But, lately, I was introduced to "living low" by author John Pavlovitz (if you haven't met him yet, I recommend starting with the book "A Bigger Table"). The chapter was about humility. John teaches us that living low is about not getting so high and mighty and expecting accolades and applause from the general public. Social media has stroked our egos more than anything else I have ever known or learned about. Everything from what we had for dinner to our photos of ourselves standing at the edge of a volcano in Iceland is posted. Upon reflection of all of this, I have made a vow to evaluate my postings before popping them onto Facebook or Instagram. Is this post asking for people to stroke my ego, or is this post intended to add love, entertainment, education or inspiration to others? I admit, both outcomes could exist simultaneously, but I'm going to make an effort to "live lower," and reduce the ego part.
5.30.2020 (Historic note: George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis)
I will never know what it's like to be a Black person in America, but I do know this. Some of you who are reading this never understood why kneeling for the national anthem mattered. Some of you who are reading this don't understand why we need to say and believe Black Lives Matter. For those of you who give lip service to "a more peaceful world, a world where we all get along," those of you who believe in God and say the words that "God loves everyone," "we are all sisters and brothers," blah, blah, blah... now is the time. Speaking out is how we MAKE the peace, this is how we act like God wants us to act, this is the time. I am angry and I will not be quiet. Rioting isn't the answer. Getting angry at police officers who are doing the right thing isn't the answer. The answer lies in how you speak to your children about what happened. The answer lies in how you pray tomorrow morning. The answer lies in your yearning to learn more about the history of people who aren't like you. The answer lies in your not being silent. The answer lies in being an ally. We have been given yet another chance to learn and to grow into decent human beings. That chance is at the expense of a beautiful human being, a man whose soul was born into the world just like yours and mine, and his name is George Floyd. I will never know what it's like to be a Black person in America, but I remember the riots the day that Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated. I was a child then. Now I'm an adult and I will not stay silent after this modern-day lynching.
I will never know what it's like to be a Black person in America, but I do know this. Some of you who are reading this never understood why kneeling for the national anthem mattered. Some of you who are reading this don't understand why we need to say and believe Black Lives Matter. For those of you who give lip service to "a more peaceful world, a world where we all get along," those of you who believe in God and say the words that "God loves everyone," "we are all sisters and brothers," blah, blah, blah... now is the time. Speaking out is how we MAKE the peace, this is how we act like God wants us to act, this is the time. I am angry and I will not be quiet. Rioting isn't the answer. Getting angry at police officers who are doing the right thing isn't the answer. The answer lies in how you speak to your children about what happened. The answer lies in how you pray tomorrow morning. The answer lies in your yearning to learn more about the history of people who aren't like you. The answer lies in your not being silent. The answer lies in being an ally. We have been given yet another chance to learn and to grow into decent human beings. That chance is at the expense of a beautiful human being, a man whose soul was born into the world just like yours and mine, and his name is George Floyd. I will never know what it's like to be a Black person in America, but I remember the riots the day that Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated. I was a child then. Now I'm an adult and I will not stay silent after this modern-day lynching.