randomthoughts

Sometime in October 2001, a friend of mine sent me a poem, only it was more like an affirmation. Never before have I felt so inspired by a single poem. Every sentence in it..speaks volumes. I was so touched by all the wisdom contained in it that I could not resist sharing it with a dozen other friends. The effect was amazing..most of them wrote back..expressing the same joy that I had experienced. This gave me an indescribable feeling of accomplishment. It seemed so simple I thought..so many things we read..that shape us ..influence us..if we only took a moment to share it with someone else..it may open a window for them or at the very least give them a new perspective. And this is how the random thought daily mailer was conceived.

Every week day I send out a quote, a poem or my own musings to my friends on something that has touched my life..or influenced me..or that i have enjoyed. Now, a month later, many of you have complained that you don't want to delete these these random thoughts but at the same time your mailboxes are fast reaching their capacities. So this link has been created where all the random thoughts (from that very first poem..Desiderata) to the ones sent out to date will be stored for you to come and visit and enjoy as often as you like.

If you would like to be included (or excluded) from the random thought mailing list simply e-mail me and let me know.

At some point I will try and categorise these random thoughts by subject and author as well...but for now its just chronologically arranged.

Enjoy :)

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Oct 10, 2001

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 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 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 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 tress 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 labours 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 Ehrmannn

(Written 1927.
Copyright 1976 Robert L. Bell)