Desiderata

Max Ehrmann, 1927

[Thanks to Tony Farthing to making us aware of this inspiring poem]

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 vexations 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 not this 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.

Desiderata for the Online Peter Gabriel Fan

by the Solsbury Committee

Go placidly amid the flamers and spammers, and remember what peace there may be in silence, and what greater peace there is in listening to Peter Gabriel tunes. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all Gabriel fans, even those who do not e-mail you back within a reasonable time frame. Type your truth quietly and clearly on your website; and listen to others, even to the Phil Collins fans, for they too have their story, pathetic as they may be. Avoid the James Crarys of the world, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with aging rock stars, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater persons (like Peter Gabriel) and lesser persons (like Phil Collins) than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as a webmaster, as well as your plans to go to Europe. Keep interested in your own career as a bank teller, an archetect, a book binder, a speech therapist, a college student, or even a writer, however humble it may be; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in dealing with Usenet rumors, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals such as the Solsbury Committee, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. If you really don't like a particular Gabriel song, just say so. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the release date that keeps getting pushed back. Take kindly the counsel of the years of waiting for Up, gracefully surrendering the things of youth, except for cool stuff like rollerblading, cartoons, video games, and Lego. Who are we kidding? Maturity is overrated. Don't gracefully surrender the things of youth. Have some ice-cream instead.

Nurture strength of spirit and think "Gabriel is my co-pilot" to shield you in sudden misfortune of having your computer crash and lose your mp3 files. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings that Up may never be released. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness from having to wait ten years for a new album. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the dogs and cats, the flies and rats, the rot and the rust, the ashes and the dust; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you why it's taking so damn long to release Up, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. And as soon as the universe finishes unfolding, Up will be released.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and visit the Church of Peter Gabriel often. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham of broken deadlines, drudgery of waiting for a release date, and broken dreams that Gabriel may one day serve me coffee; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Let Kari help with that.