So…Christmas. Let’s Get Through It Together

It’s coming up to the BIG DAY for kids and families and department stores, not to mention on line industries.  All around me friends, acquaintances and fellow writers fill their blogs and Facebook presences with greetings of the season.  I’m not really feeling the excitement this year and I bet there are a lot of people out there in the same boat.

While preparing a blog for LERA, my local RWA chapter, I reacquainted myself with a lovely piece of writing from my teen years, Desiderata.  I can never read it without hearing it in Leonard Nimoy’s voice…yep I was one of those geeky kids who had the album  Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy which includes the Balled of Bilbo Baggins.  Sigh, wish I had it now!

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 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 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 critical 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 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 careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

We have a right to be here, and a right to be happy.  Blessings of the season to one and all