Keeping the Peace

No, I haven’t sent out that e-mail just yet.  I’ve edited it about 3 times since I started my day this morning.  It just doesn’t feel quite right yet and I will keep tweaking it until I’m comfortable enough to send it out.  *SIGH*  It’s difficult to respond to a very angry e-mail even when you’re on the defensive and not the offensive.  I’m actually afraid the one who wrote the e-mail I’m responding to might have a heart attack because he’s just too angry with the whole world.  (Me included.. oops..LOL)

The nun-educated part of me made me pray to the Holy Spirit earlier.  I think it worked some, but as my born again friends would say, it’s hard to be a Christian more so during times when you’re coming under attack.

So I tried to get some work done on my scrapbook and I think I did well with one more layout.  Just have to put together the embellishments and decide on the picture we’re putting up there.  Then that means 2 layouts are finally done. I really should take a picture of them but I’m at that page where I want to put Angel’s baptismal invite, so I’ll wait for until then.

Time to get working on that scrapbook!

Desiderata

From the moment I got introduced to FM radio in Manila  back when DWRT was enjoying it’s heyday in the late 70s, The Mellow Touch (DWLL 94.7FM — yes, they do have a website!) was one station the blared away on my radio most hours of the day.  (I can hear my brother, Abril, snickering as he always teased me about my choice of music).  Who can forget the oft repeated tune which played to the recitation of Desiderata? 

It’s one of those days when I need such wisdom so I googled for a complete text of those familiar words which I’d like to share with those who stumble into my little corner of the web, most specially the younger crowd who may not know of this literary masterpiece by Max Ehrmann:

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 the 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 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 with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952