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 vexatious 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 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
End of Desiderata
People are the only real measure of a religion. As one becomes familiar with the people of other religions, the concepts of Desiderata become more and more familiar. I was raised with the lord’s prayer and occasionally pray it to myself.
People whom have known me since I left Brushy Valley might be surprised to learn of my personal religious preferences, including some family. My lack of worthiness becomes more apparent to me as I age and I strive harder to hide it. I have always hesitated to be associated with a particular religion because I did not wish to have other people judge my faith by me or my actions.
I only tell you this so you will understand my political views about religion. I believe in secular government with all my heart. The world’s worst atrocities have usually been executed in the name of God. The first image of a religious atrocity executed in the name of God that comes to mind might be the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. These attacks were perpetrated in the name of Islam but have no actual basis in the faith and are condemned by most Muslims.
To keep things in perspective a historian might also remember the many Crusades mounted to “restore control of the Middle East to the Christian Church.” There were many more lives lost over the centuries in the Christian Crusades than the 9/11 attack. Current western mysticism (not religion-I hope) celebrates the Crusades and their theological endorsements when, in reality, they were simply political invasions aimed at conquest and pillage. As the Christian Bible says “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Some of the world’s worst atrocities have been endorsed by the various religions.
I would hope that any religion would prefer separation from the state simply because no government of man is worthy of the kingdom of God and equating the two is simple and unforgivable blasphemy.
The only fitting monument to God is the life of a good man. It will always be inadequate, but must be the best a man (or woman) can do. Anything less falls short. No building, money, wailing, preaching or any other demonstration that impresses man is sufficient in itself to impress God.
Rule 1 – Don’t tell your fellow man about religion, show it.
Rule 2 – Don’t BS God about your intentions, he knows.
It is by this standard that I have learned about other religions and I have found that nearly every religion consists of ‘normal’ human beings with all their strengths and weaknesses. Every type person you find in this religion you will also find in that religion.
If your religion is true and just it will bring you together with the world and not break it asunder. If your religion teaches hate you need a new religion.