"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Friday, November 11, 2016

Help And Hope


This is something I found again not long ago.  Though it was popular in the sixties, it was actually written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann.  

If you are like me, it will take a long time to move beyond this election - our dreams dashed.  Hope this might help.

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amidst 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 years;
gracefully surrender 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.

31 comments:

Joanne Noragon said...

Our job will be to defend so many children of the universe.

donna baker said...

Hear, hear dear Jo.

The Weaver of Grass said...

It is a poem I read so often Donna when events overtake me.

donna baker said...

Yes Pat. I had written it down and tucked it into a pocket Its sentiments are timeless, it seems.

Frances said...

Thank you, Donna, for reminding me of these words. xo

La Table De Nana said...

I love Desiderata.
It applies to so much in our lives..
Again..I don't feel it's my place to comment:(
I know people that were on both sides..

I can tell you one thing though..you know we are Canadians..our Littles are etc..

What the little know is what tthey herad here and there on tv..it is different in Canada..we see everything re the US elections..I don't think you do for ours?
Anyway..Max..9..is going to Mexico..first time on a plane..he asked my daughter and son-in-law at the bus the next day:"What if he builds the wall while we are in Mexico?"

La Table De Nana said...

OH my gosh the typos..Littles .. they.. heard

donna baker said...

Welcome Frances. Timeless I think.

Elephant's Child said...

It is beautiful. And as true now as when it was written. And will almost certainly be equally true in a hundred years time.

donna baker said...

Yes, dear Monique. My littles were scared their Hispanic friends were going to be sent to Mexico and many other rumors at school. They are frightened at what they hear from their friends. I wanted to tell you that I have one recipe written in my mother's handwriting for pecan pie. She was from Louisiana where it is the pie. Also made pralines but never could find her recipe. She liked turnip greens, but the smell ran us out of the house. One of her favorite things was a glass of buttermilk with cornbread crumbled in it. We of course were aghast, but never hungry like she was as a child.

donna baker said...

And isn't it something, written in a time period which seems like such a bucolic, simple time.

donna baker said...

We don't hear much, by the way, of politics in Canada. I do know that the Prime Minister is Justin Trudeau and used to hear much about his father and wife. And, I heard the Canadian web site for immigration, crashed after the election. Oh Canada.

Mac n' Janet said...

Oh, I like that very much, thank you for posting it.

La Table De Nana said...

I am so impressed of your knowledge of Canadian politics.
I loved what you wrote about your mom..everything is relative right?
One man's treasure..you might like A Little Life..not everyone lives in a house of dreams.

donna baker said...

You are very welcome.

liv said...

Donna, that did help a bit, thank you. Nothing can really ease the pain of loosing such an innocent that you've loved for so long. But I thank you sincerely for reading and commenting. Just showing up for me made a big difference x

Down by the sea said...

Those are such wise words written so long ago. Ever sine Brexit I feared that you would end up with a similar result.
Unfortunately you can't change the majority decision but one way we are trying to move forward is to strengthen the local community and economy to battle some of the storms ahead. Sarah x

donna baker said...

Yes, Liv, I truly don't know how to do it either. I've searched through blogging to see how others deal with it over the years, but have not found any answers. My heart breaks every time.

donna baker said...

Yes, Brexit was shocking and I read the demographics of the voters. I guess it is the same everywhere. Discontent brings out the worst in people. We are just going to have to hold on and wait it out. Thank you Sarah.

RachelD said...

For some "seventies" reason I guess, I memorized this back then, and would recite it to myself as I drove to and from work every day through the green fields and old back roads of my area. I can just feel that Mississippi heat and see the flashes of bright sun through the roadside trees punctuating the beat of the lines.

Haven't thought of it in quite some time, and I'm glad to see it again, like a well-known old friend whose correspondence has been sparse of late. As has my own.

r

donna baker said...

Have been wondering what you've been up to. A youngun said she had it in her dorm room in the nineties.

ellen abbott said...

well, it's a done deal. it's now up to us to protect those under attack.

donna baker said...

I'm still wearing my Hillary button and will rise up when and where I can.

Tom Stephenson said...

Unfortunately, the Desiderata was not found in the late 17th century ruins of some East Coast farmhouse as legend has it, but written by someone in the 1960s. That still doeasn't detract from it being good advice, mind you.

Sandra Cox said...

Thanks, Donna. That's perfect.
I think we need to work towards getting rid of the antiquated electoral college so that it never happens again.

1st Man said...

Donna, thank you so much for this. Been trying to make sense of this election. This helps. Kind of lost my mojo the last few days (and then getting a cold on top of it) but I'm getting back on track. Thank you!

donna baker said...

It is timely Tom for millions of us hurting.

donna baker said...

Yes, twice in recent history is too much.

donna baker said...

Thank you too and saw your post this morning. Looks good there; our butterflies have fled the cold up here. I'm still sad too and waiting for it to go.

oldgreymareprimitives said...

My father gave me this poem upon my HS graduation. I still cherish it. Thanks for the reminder this am

donna baker said...

Glad to remind you of it. How sweet that your father gave it to you.