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 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 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
This month we open with one of my favorite collections of meaningful words.
As a university student on a work term several years ago, my supervisor
gave me this verse on a plaque when I departed her therapy clinic. I was
touched by it on first glance and am still touched by it today.
In viewing Wayne Dyer's new movie "Ambition to meaning: Finding your
life's purpose", I was moved by the simple, yet profound ideas that it
presented.
It hit me harder when I thought about the phrase above in the poem: "Take
kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of
youth." Many of us do need to surrender and let go of our past ways and
means of life. I call it the "Spring Shift." Out with the old you and
in with the NEW.
We do live in a society that places great emphasis on achievement: wanting more, wanting bigger, and wanting better, as we pursue our goals and dreams.
However, the happiness in life and true fulfillment will always
elude us if we keep chasing. Thus surrendering our old ways and means and
adopting a new approach to live life to the fullest must be seriously
considered.
Dyer's movie was inspired by Carl Jung's quote "We cannot live the
afternoon of life according to the program of life's morning; for what in
the morning was true will in evening become a lie." Stated another way
from ancient wisdom, "we cannot put new wine in old wineskins." As our
self-development increases, so too does our knowledge about achievement and
fulfillment. I challenge you to give this some serious thought.
Dyer calls the first phase of life "ambition" and the second phase of life
"meaning". The shift often happens when we least expect it. It also
usually happens after one of life's "reality moments" when we are
jolted so hard by an experience or collection of experiences that we
realize it is time to change if we want life to change as we know it. The shift usually
happens after someone reaches 30 years of age, but as we know, age does not matter. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear, as the ancient chinese
philosophy suggests.
Are you ready for a "Spring Shift"? If so ask yourself this question:
"Why am I here?"
We can be certain that your life purpose is not to accumulate "stuff"
or things. Going within you will find the answer as that small still voice
talks to you, while you are at peace with silence. Getting to the
afternoon of life may involve some of the following ideas:
- Eliminating alcohol and cigarettes
- Daily fitness activities
- Eliminating "fair weather" friends and finding true friends who
are there for you no matter what
- Taking a risk and starting your own business
- Giving more to charity if you can afford to give more
- Becoming aware of your spiritual beliefs and practicing these
- Using the ideas in Desiderata to help you lead the higher life of purpose.
Nature works in perfect order and sometimes it is hard to comprehend that
everything is unfolding as it should in the universe. I really believe our
goal is to get in tune with the unfolding and shift into a life of service
as much as we can to add real meaning to the whole experience. The time is
now to live the afternoon of your life, while using the lessons from the
morning of your life to shift you into a higher gear. It may be time to
make the tough, yet necessary, choices for your afternoon of life.
May you find your REAL LIFE PURPOSE as a result.
More will flow from this P-Zine as I prepare for "Get Inspired 2009"
here in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Paul
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