Desiderata (1 Viewer)

[SaintsInDome2006]

This is likely futile but I thought I would try to post something positive.

I went to a funeral Saturday. Big Catholic family in an old Uptown New Orleans church. The church was filled, it was packed by all manner of people from all corners of the city. This guy was a friend of mine, and I am proud to say that. He was relatively young, and he was brilliant. He was a musician and he left an imprint on the city I love and which I like to think he still somewhere is loving. He had a host of personal demons, really largely The Drink. Unfortunately his genius kept him playing in bars where he made his living. He couldn't do anything else, he never held another real "job". A hot city in hot un-air-contitioned bars, with people buying you drinks all night, and the poor man never had a chance. But he was very well loved. Anyway this was read at the funeral by a sibling because it was posted on the family's home growing up from Day 1. I just thought I would share it here. If it is old or trite or hackneyed, forgive me, I just felt like posting it out of remembrance and for sharing. And maybe in truth it is new, it was to me.

It's called Desiderata.

- SID06

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.

 

[El Floppo]

thanks for sharing that... and sorry for your loss.