Desiderata - The Universe Always Unfolds as it Should

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 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 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 not this 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.

~ Max Ehrmann, 1927

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The origin of the poem was clouded for some time due to an oversight. Most copies of "Desiderata" contained the line "FOUND IN OLD SAINT PAUL´S CHURCH, BALTIMORE. DATED 1692."

It seems that Rev. Frederick Kates, the rector of Saint Paul's from 1956 to 1961, used the poem in a collection titled "Between Dawn and Dark," which he distributed to his congregation.

As copies of the poem passed from person to person, the only information was the remaining notation tracing it back to Saint Paul's. 1692 is the year Saint Paul's was founded.

In 1971, Les Crane released a recording of the poem in spoken word format. It reached #8 on the billboard charts.

Many people still believe he is the real author as well.

The real author is Max Ehrmann (September 26, 1872 - September 9, 1945). Mr. Ehrmann was an attorney and poet from Terre Haute, Indiana.

Mr. Ehrmann attended Harvard´s School of Philosophy at the age of 22, where he studied philosophy and law. Over the next ten years he wrote six books. Eventually he realized he could not make a living as a writer, and began practicing law.

In 1948, three years after his death, his widow published "The poems of Max Ehrmann," which contained the poem Desiderata.

Deteriorata (National Lampoon Version)

"Go placidly amidst the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. "

The most Famous Deteriorata

Undesiderata (Undesired Things) Romana Machado.

"Go placidly amid the noise & haste, but better yet, avoid the noise and haste altogether. Be on good terms with all persons as far as possible; especially with shopkeepers."

Eco-Desiderata (Environmental Version)- Ed Glaze III

" Go angrily amid the pollution and waste - taking a long-term environmental view,
surrendering the things of materialism, as necessary. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with the environment. Live your life quietly and cleanly; and listen to Nature, even the plants and animals, for they too have their story."

Anti-Desiderata - (Undesired Things 2) Ed Glaze III

"Go blindly amid the noise and waste, and ponder what rewards await you in the future. As far as possible seek no undue notice from any persons. Speak approved truths loudly and opinions vaguely. Don't listen to others, especially the questioning and nonconforming - they will always cause trouble."

The Irish Desiderata (Irish Version) Bill Gallagher

"Go Noisily amid the complacency and waste, and Remember what peace can be had without Television. Never Surrender and always attempt to undermine authority, which will put you on good terms with most people. Speak your truth as loudly and as clearly as possible, especially to the dull and ignorant."

Undesiderata, Eco-Desiderata, Anti-Desiderata, and The Irish Desiderata

Computerada(Geek Version)

"Blog prolifically amid the cyber-waste and remember that the Google's universal software is immense. As far as possible, using legal tender, deal with big firms, not little persons. Be ruthless but quiet and leery, don't listen to Internet gurus, they tend to be dull and ignorant, and are out to make a buck with their e-book stories. Be annoyed by loud and aggressive social networkers, and keep your capitalistic dot.com spirit."

Computerada (Computer Geek Parody)

Deciderata - (George Bush version by Dave Neiwert)

"Go smugly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in stonewalling. As far as possible, leave no chance of surrender and be on superior terms to all other persons. Speak your truthiness loudly and garbled; and never listen to others, especially not the wise and the well-informed; they can all just go to hell."

Deciderata (Bush Parody Version)

And my favorite, not that I agree, but I am a Trekkie...

Disintegrata (The Klingon Version)

"Go nastily amid the peace and tranquility, and remember what satisfaction there may be in genocide. As far as possible, without surrender, move into other people's space. Lie often, and loudly; and listen to the lies of others, even the slow and incompetent -- examples can be made of them later."

Disintegrata (Klingon Parody)

A special thanks to ~Macadamia-Nuts at Deviant Art for permission to use the lovely nature photographs.

However the poem is viewed or heard, I certainly hope you will allow it to change your life as it has changed mine.

"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."

The universe always unfolds as it should...

~Peace

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