Manifesto

Ehrmann, born in Terre Haute in 1872, made his living practicing law and business (deputy prosecuting attorney of Terre Haute at one point, credit manager for a family owned overall manufacturing firm for 10 years). But his real love was writing, especially philosophical poems and plays. He composed “Desiderata” in 1927, he wrote in his journal at the time, out of need to remind himself how he wanted to live his life. (taken from http://peterfox.com.au).

Ehrmann’s Desiderata was his manifesto I guess, and what an important body of work it turned out to be. I love this so much and have it in a book next to my bed.

 Desiderata (Latin: “desired things”)

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 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 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 with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy. 

Max Ehrmann 1872-1945

I love the Desiderata, especially the last four lines and it got me thinking, what would happen if I took all my ramblings, ranting, poems, notes, observations from my journal or tweets from my twitter and wrote a Manifesto?

Here’s what I care about, it was compiled in mirror.me and is what I twitter about.

Reflections =:)

Gonna write a Manifesto then, I might as well even though I am no one special or important there’s a manifesto inside of me somewhere that needs to get out into the beautiful world… watch this space.

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