As I was reading through some blogs this morning, I came across one where the lady was talking about why she didn't do New Year's Eve Resolutions and that she was going to work on being "kinder" to herself.
Well, to me that sounded like a great New Year's Eve Resolution! ;-)
But, I did understand where she was coming from in that people, especially people who put themselves out into the public view, such as Realtors, are sometimes overly hard on themselves. And that made me think back to a poem that I first stumbled across back when I was in High School called, "Desiderata".
I specifically thought of a line from that poem that goes, "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."
Which, with as much as people who deal with the public and who call on others in order to perform 
their jobs, tend to get beat up upon, seems like good advice?
Actually, the entire poem is filled with good advice. So, while I still make New Years Eve Resolutions (I've lost over 70 lbs as the result of having made a resolution about 6 years ago), I find myself going back to reread this poem from time to time.
So, if you're not familiar with it or if you haven't read it in a while, here is the full text of the original poem that was originally published by Max Ehrmann in 1926.
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.
Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"
* Desiderata is published under public domain licensing
**Images courtesy of Wiki-commons and published under Creative Commons Lic.
Comments(0)