Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (POEM)

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 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.

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Beautiful, isn't it? I encountered this poem during my senior year at high school. Our English teacher, Ma'am Almariego, is the best English teacher that I ever had. Anyway, we were tasked to memorize this poem for a graded recitation, and I made it. There is even a time when I was ordered to deliver the poem starting from the last line up to the first. Well, I was unable to do it.

Yes, I memorized this poem, but the understanding isn't there. I don't know, maybe the real poem itself is not noticed because there is the pressure of memorizing it during that time. The attention is not on the understanding. So the poem didn't leave an impressive mark on my life.

Not until I remembered this poem. I decided to read it once again.

Only during this time I realize how wonderful this poem is.

The things that this poem advise you to do are something that are so simple yet always overlooked. These are the keys to happiness. 

People always say that happiness is something that isn't easily achieve. Some say that they can only be happy when they finally get their own car, house, the latest technology, and others. If they can be the best among the rest, famous, rich, beautiful, and talented, they can truly say that they're happy.

These are desires. Just desires.

Indeed they bring in happiness and contentment. But I say that it's short-lived.

What will you do with your own car if you don't have someone to ride it with? With your own house if you don't have a family? The latest technology if you don't have friends?

In truth, being happy is something that everyone of us can achieve with ease. The real keys to unlock the door of happiness are just around us. Fact is, we usually aren't aware.

Reading this poem makes you realize how true those things that it said are. Following the poem's advice leads to one's contentment and, eventually, to happiness.

My own piece of advice?

Accept who you are.

If you accept yourself, you will understand why the world is unfair - and you won't be bitter about it, and you will probably decide that the world is not really unfair after all. You will know your strength and weaknesses, and you will accept them. Instead of lamenting the fact that you possess those weaknesses, you will improve it, if not completely eradicate it. Many people don't know what to do with their weaknesses. They tend to hide it from people. If someone manages to find it out, there comes the stress. Accepting oneself means acknowledging the things you can't do - because you really can't, not that you're weak, incapable, useless - and being proud of the things you can. And most of all, it can give you a healthier outlook in life. Less stress, more energy. Less frowns, more smiles. Less desires, more contentment. The list goes on.

Acceptance is always, always the first step.

Max Ehrmman, kudos to you !