Desiderata June 15, 2009

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.
— written by Max Ehrmann

Memorial Day-Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers May 24, 2009

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

-Moina Michael, 1915

Seasonal businesses look at this weekend as the kick-off to summer.

Families hold ceremonial household pool openings and enjoy that first long weekend at the cottage by the shore.

I love summer, and I look forward to long summer days at the beach or watching the kids run through the sprinklers. I enjoy a good party, yet I wonder if most people remember why Memorial Day was created in the first place.

My father was a Marine in Vietnam.

His eldest granddaughter will march in our town’s parade on Monday as a Brownie.

There was a big hullabaloo in the town Girl Scout Council regarding some troops opting not to stay for the veterans’ ceremony on the town green. Some of the moms complained that their girls will be too tired and hot after throwing candy to the crowds, holding their banners and marching almost a half mile.

Other moms whose sons had just gone off to war or whose fathers were veterans were quite perturbed.
Unfortunately, like most holidays, this one seems to have lost some of its intended significance with the passage of time.

I wouldn’t force anyone to stay, but I’ll be at the ceremony with my family by my side. I’m sure my kids will be sweaty, cranky, and fatigued, but it’s the least we can do. I wholeheartedly respect all of the men and women who have served our country and are serving it now.

So, as I raise a beer to my lips this weekend, I’ll raise my other hand to salute those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

Those sacrifices have allowed me the freedom to be festive.

“These are the times that try men’s souls:

The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,

in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country;

but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered;

yet we have this consolation with us,

that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly:

it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

-Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Welcome to my blog! February 17, 2009

More to come very soon.