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.
I shared Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata poem with you yesterday. The line I love in that (among many) is , Beyond wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself. There have been so many times in my life when I wanna get down on myself. Oh shoot, I haven't done the podcast in four or five days. I have to do that. Oh shoot, I meant to send that patient their exercises yesterday and I haven't gotten around to doing it, I'm a bad person because I didn't. Oh no, that conversation with that player or parent ended really badly. I’m a bad coach and person. I missed that free-throw at the end of the game, I stink, I shouldn't be on the team. I forgot to remind that kid that the bus was leaving early, I'm wasting everybody's time.
These situations happen weekly. That line in that poem helps me ‘keep peace with my soul’ as it says in the second to last line
