Desiderata

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 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 to others,
You will 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, ©1952

My Ethos

Charles Schultz PhilosophyThe following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not The ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to those people who have made a difference In your life.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia."(Charles Schultz)

People may not remember what you say, but they will always remember the way you made them feel.

Insights into the Obvious

Grandparents give love unconditionally, and are resourceful family members.

Extended families can be warm, even when they are large.

Vacations allow for a unique form of recreation: exploring other places and people.

Nature is beautiful.

Adults in Havertown are usually nice, community-oriented, and optimistic.

Seasons offer a sense of closure and renewal.

My father is musical, creative, and very intelligent.

My mother is a very good teacher, and a compassionate person.

People in Lebanon can be emotionally distant, but otherwise are socially strong and pragmatic about life.

Moving from region to region makes it difficult to have friends.

Learning is hard when there is no inspiration for doing so.

Learning is easy when inspired.

Curiosity opens the door to possibilities.

Hard work is essential for success in anything, but a guiding plan must also be in place.

Feasibility is only as limiting as your support mechanisms will allow.

Positive thinking is only an initial requirement for undertaking a course of action, not a solution unto itself.

Loss is as inevitable as gain.

Balance is a worthy goal.

Ordered systems approach entropy.

Strength of will can alter the outcome of events.

Initially nice, some people can become arrogant and self-absorbed.

Evil is not innate; it is learned from bad influences.

Pets can offer joy.

Multi-unit dwellings are more appropriate for singles than for couples, or families.

Introspection can create problems that have the potential to become real.

Those who indulge really do bulge.

It is very hard to lose weight.

Enjoying a vice requires a balance of short-term pleasures and long-term needs.

Fostering good friendships are more meaningful than affiliating with groups.

The world is full of trickery.

Experiencing other cultures is fascinating.

Criticism may hurt, but eventually it does help (even when it is wrong).

Opinions will often differ.

No one can please everyone.

Believing in God is essential to life.

Faith is not of one kind.

The golden rule is the best guideline for life.

Money is nothing more than a set of units for allocation.

Happiness is a decision to be of good cheer.

Socio-economic status is a frustrating concept no matter how you measure it.

Music stirs the spirit, and frees the imagination.

Art imitates life.

Death will eventually claim us all.

Living life well depends on a willingness to accept what you cannot change, and to influence what you can.
“Being human,” means that we can grow strong from our weaknesses; and, conversely, we can grow weak from our strengths.

Greed is ugly.

Entitlement is a utopian concept.

People who complain are annoying.

The Land of Enchantment

My wife Lisa has had occasion to service two different clients in New Mexico for her company, Sungard-SCT: The University of New Mexico, and Santa Fe Community College. Her different stints in Albuquerque and Santa Fe introduced us to the southwest of the United States, capturing our imaginations.

How? We've never seen deserts, mountain ranges that turned pink, comfort in 100 degree shade, rich Native American culture, fantastic art, thin air, and green chile all in one place. Plus, adobe architecture is very interesting. It looks deceptively small on the outside, blending in beautifully with the earth; but, is roomy and comfortable on the inside.

We visited Albuquerque a few years ago, attending the annual Balloon Fiesta in October. Only a four-day weekend for us, the event was a week of exhibitions, competitions, and festivities all celebrating hot air ballooning. The participants encourage visitors to help launch balloons in the early morning . . . Just as dawn breaks. Armed with breakfast burritos and strong coffee, you quickly find yourself amidst a canyon of inflating balloons. balloonists are very laid-back, engaging folk who are looking for that special uplifting experience that everyone shares at these events -- pun intended for all the right reasons!

Santa Fe was this year's exploration of northern New Mexico. Again, a long weekend is not enough time to truly get to know a place, but better some time then none. The city is smaller, but more historically preserved. It is further north, sitting on the edge of a mountain range coming down from Colorado. Many art galleries and retailers share space with some excellent restaurants. I am partial to Maria's, a small Spanish-Mexican establishment with an extensive Santa Fe-style menu, and a margharita menu equally as long! I am told that is where the locals go for the real thing.

We are intrigued by the prospect of moving to Santa Fe, but I can't come up with the vacation time to interview for new jobs until 2006. The number of hits I get on Careerbuilder.com are few and far between for my skill sets. We love the pace and the beauty of the region and it's people. Perhaps it is not in the cards, but only time will tell.