Desiderata

today i found a plaque at the salley ann .. it went like this....

GOD PLACIDLY AMID THE NOISE & HASTE, & 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 & clearly; and listen to other, even the dull & ignorant; they too have a story. ~ Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If your compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & 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 your 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 & disenchantment it is 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 imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. ~ You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & 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 you labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. ~ With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ ~

Found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore

It was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, a Terre Haute, Ind., poet, author and lawyer.
Information about the poem Desiderata

i never read this one before.. (i say that sheepishly)... as it has been around for some time.
i really like it. Its thoughtful.. inspiring, someones insight to their world.

..actually i feel it is quite the treasure.

i did a little bit of searching .. and found the Saint Paul's church site. It has a link about the poem and finding of it as well.. Old St Paul's