I didn’t wake up with a Yippee! on my lips this morning. Neither did I wake up with dread. Everything was copacetic. I was in that neutral state of the morning. I gave some thoughts on how I want to feel and how I want my day to go. My goal has always been the sentiments expressed in the poem Desiderata. I should read it every morning to keep heart.
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.
Desiderata by Max Ehrmann.
It is difficult to go placidly amid the noise and haste now. There’s so many voices and distractions. Who to listen to? Which direction should I go? It must be difficult in all times since Max Ehrmannt wrote the poem in 1927, a time which we think now as much quieter and slower. Some day in the future, someone will think of this time as being slower and quieter, too.
Mornings before the world is fully awake are the best for me. I’m grounded in the quiet. I’m a blank page, a new canvas to be filled/painted with optimism, dreams, fantasies. In the mornings I am hopeful that I can make changes. They are possible in the newness of the day. As the day ticks along, I can feel my head fill with thoughts and imagined conversations. Most of them are not true but made up in my busy mind. By noon I am consumed by idle chitchat, paranoia and negative self talk in my head. They drain me. And they are not necessarily true.
Knowing this, I will dedicate mornings pursuing all those things that gladdens and opens my heart. I hope being engaged thus will shut up those negative self talk and paranoid thoughts. In time maybe I can rid them at will, no matter time of day.
onethousandandtwo 
Hi Lily! It’s Maureen. Just found your blog through your fb page. Have always been fond of Desiderata. Good to read as I have had neither a comfortable day nor, so far, a comfortable evening Bothe mentally and physically. My movement is so limited with my entire right arm out of commission. Surgery was only 12 days ago but it feels more like it was 12 weeks. Anyway, maybe I will perk up my blog a little after seeing how nicely you do yours.
xoxo, m & jb
Hi Maureen, nice to see you. I like to mutter on my blog. Helps me to think clearly and stay sane. Those rotator cuff surgeries are owwwies for sure. Hope you feel better soon. Are you getting physio or is it too soon? If you blig, I will read.
Lily
Yup, gonna blog again. Not sure about what, but gonna blog. Started PT Monday. Second one tomorrow. My entire body feels stiff, achy, and out-of-sorts. Bleh.
An outstanding post! I think we should all live by the words of Desiderata; a beautiful reminder of powerful words. Thank you 🙂
I like how you think you’re a blank canvas in the mornings – “newness of the day”.
It helps to think we can start anew each day. Thanks for reading.
Lily
Thank you for bringing Desiderata forward from the past into today’s confusing, too busy world. Ehrmann’s words, and yours, inspire the kind of introspection we need to move forward.