Article in Stretton Focus, June 2017
I recently spent an evening with friends looking at Max Ehrmann’s well-known Desiderata. You know, the one that begins ‘Go placidly . . ..’ and ends ‘strive to be happy.’ As a consequence of being mildly critical, I was challenged to produce my own for URC Voice. Here it is:
Do not pass through this world unnoticed. It will be different because of your presence – try to make sure it is better.
Do not tolerate mediocrity. Use your talents to the full. Use your abilities for the benefit of the community not solely for your personal gain.
Life is a gift – enjoy it! Do not be like a wine taster – taking a sip and spitting it out. Be a gulper. Take draughts and drink it down.
Without being reckless, be prepared to take risks for this adds spice to life. Try to find a team sport you can engage in, for this will bring out your best qualities.
Listen to music for if you can find a style you like it is a source of eternal joy.
Learn to love language so that you can appreciate and benefit from the experience of others.
Cultivate good relationships with neighbours, family and friends.
Embrace change for the alternative is stagnation and decay.
In particular support the young, for the future is theirs. Encourage them to reach for the stars.
Do not neglect the spiritual side of your life. Read, pray, contemplate to bring you closer to your neighbours and to God.
Cultivate a healthy dissatisfaction that will stop you getting smug.
Seek to do what is right. Be generous with your money and your praise. Be stingy with your advice, and who knows you may achieve an enviable level of peace and joy.
I would like to extend the challenge. What would your Desiderata look like? Take a few minutes to think about it and share your thoughts with us, perhaps through Focus.
Howard Bridge
