love thy neighbor

The Desiderata

The Desiderata of Happiness

Max Ehrmann

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 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.

the love of God

"The love of God is one of the great realities of the universe, a pillar upon which the hope of the world rests. But it is a personal, intimate thing, too. God does not love populations, He loves people. He loves not masses, but men. He loves us all with a mighty love that has no beginning and can have no end. In Christian experience there is a highly satisfying love content that distinguishes it from all other religions and elevates it to heights far beyond even the purest and noblest philosophy. This love content is more than a thing; it is God Himself in the midst of His Church singing over His people. True Christian joy is the heart's harmonious response to the Lord's song of love."

A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

reading is to the mind as exercise is to the body

For an English major like me, this is just TOO great. Seriously. I'm ALWAYS looking for new books to read based on the books I've read and loved.

I've already entered in the last five books I've read to find new ones in which to plunge. Just in time for Spring Break (and nearly summer)...

made you look

I just wanted to create a post devoted to some of my favorite things. Whether they be art, crafts, recipes, charities, poems, short stories, videos, photos, what have you, they're all still favorites. Kudos if you click on all of the links.

that shrewd and knavish sprite

Tonight I was stuck with no plans for the evening. For me, this is a rare, rare occasion. Normally, my days are booked solid. However, I enjoyed my peaceful afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, I had gobs of studying to tend to first, but after I conquered a decent amount, I rewarded myself doing something I enjoy. I am OBSESSED with Anthropologie's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" hand-stitched wallpaper, but at $698 a roll, that's a tad out of my budget. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of wallpaper and, even if I was, I don't think I would want an entire wall covered in Shakespeare's word. However, covering a ruled Moleskine cahier is more of my speed. I love Moleskines. Sure, they're overpriced journals, but sometimes I just want to feel like a legit writer. Moleskine claims that it

"is the heir of the legendary notebook used for the past two centuries by great artists and thinkers, including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin."

Solid. Here's my twist on these two great products...

namesake

in time of daffodils(who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why,remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so(forgetting seem)

in time of roses(who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if,remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek(forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me,remember me

--e.e. cummings