Wonderful words I've come across

Here is a nice site with apparently nice words of wisdom: http://jlfoundation.net/pebble-in-the-water.html

I just had to interject that before I forgot it. Today I'm mentioning some poems that I've come across that have made me feel good. It goes without saying that I find joy in the psalms and proverbs of the Holy Bible but in this blog I'm mentioning words from mere mortals(though the words verge on the legendary).

Of course there's that "Go placidly..." poem referred to as "Desiderata"

Go placidly amid 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 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 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 perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to 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 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.

In fact, there is much discourse as to the origin of that poem. It is said that the poem was found in a Baltimore church in 1692 and is centuries old, of unknown origin. Written around 1920 (although some say as early as 1906), and certainly copyrighted in 1927, by lawyer Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) based in Terre Haute,Indiana. The myth began after Reverend Frederick Kates included the poem in a collection of inspirational works in 1959 on church notepaper. The work was titled: 'The Old St Paul's Church, Baltimore, AD 1692'. The date was the year the church was founded. The myth grew when a copy of the erroneously attributed Desiderata was found at the bedside of deceased politician Aidlai Stevenson in 1965. When I was in college in the early 70's it was on numerous walls in students' residences.

Then there's the start of "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake.

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

And it goes on for four pages then ends:

God appears, and God is light,
To those poor souls who dwell in night;
But does a human form display
To those who dwell in realms of day.

You will note of course that I've used the first two lines in my profile.

And finally, if you didn't already go to the site mentioned at the beginning of this post, here is a poem attributed to John Phillip Meakin although I've seen it said to be from St. Augustine. Here goes:

IF any little word of mine

May make a life the brighter,
If any little song of mine

May make a heart the lighter,
God help me speak the little word

And take my bit of singing,
drop it in some lonely vale

To set the echoes ringing.

If any little love of mine

May make a life the sweeter,
If any little care of mine

May make a friend's the fleeter,
If any lift of mine may ease

The burden of another,
God give me love and care and strength

To help my toiling brother.

Since it's not assured who the author is I don't know it's title. How that got attributed to St. Augustine I don't know but I do remember reading it on a greeting card with a nice nature photo and it did indicate John Phillip Meakin.

So that's it for this Friday. Have a great weekend. Study your Sunday school lesson and be kind to your mother.