Desiderata and My Mom

The other day my mom shared to me one of her favorite poems, The Desiderata.

"Desiderata" means desired or wanted things. It was written by Max Ehrmann along-----long----long time ago. around the 1920s?

When my mom and i were talking she told me that she read the Desiderata years ago, when she was still in grade school, but she added that she already found it true then, she still finds the poem true today...

The poem is about surviving this chaotic world while being a good person---all the way.

This poem hit me hard good. I'll be frank, i'm not the nicest person in the world and nor do i pretend to be. In a lot of ways i'm much like grandfather, I come on strong, hot headed, out spoken, frank (sometimes blunt), reckless and imprudent---- hehe and more... >:) some say i'm the carbon copy of my lolo tatay, by the way i speak, i act, i work and how i come onto people. My lolo was a successful man, he was the one who laid down a good foundation for my family. Being compared to my lolo is flattering and all, but my mom says that i have to help myself become something better. because my lolo, like all of us wasn't perfect, he was strong and very brave, blunt too, moreover he didnt care much of what people thought about him, he was strict and he bows down to no one. hehehe...

So presumably i am much like him, i am inherently not-so-good or nice.. hehe.

BUT it is because of my mother that a heart exists in me. She was the one who taught me values of patience, kindness, forgiveness.... respect, humility--- and so on. My kindness comes from my mother, she is the sole reason why i even try to be nice hahaha. But I'm making myself sound soooo bad.

My point is that, my mom is my better half. She is the foundation of my life and all things i do good i attribute to her and how she raised me. She continuously pushes me to become a better individual... she showed me that, i don't have to declare war on the world to show that i'm brave, all i need to do is be myself and follow through life as i know it.. She instilled in me that, success is not all material, 3/4 of success is how people will remember you as who you were as a person.

She really is the good in me. I doubt that would have survived life w/o her... i thank her everyday because amidst this world of chaos she still expects me to put it into order. and that's what i live for, its her "expectation" of me, that i cannot disappoint. I have to be that person, that she raised me to be... even though i've made many mistakes in the past, it was because of me and my hehehe... inherent instincts... she never let me lose sight that for as long as i live i can change, and when i do, i should change for the better... and besides everytime i make a fool out of myself--- it's always when she's not around me. hahahaha... so do you see, I'm naturally my Lolo.. hehehe It's just that my mom has some ability to influence me.. hehehe :) and you know, now that i'm older-- everytime i WANT to do something STUPID, i think of her---OR i ignore her. hehehe joke. HEHEHEHE sometimes i just can't help it. hihihihih.

But, all in all, i enjoy this "good" that she teaches me, it leaves my mind at peace and conscience at ease... not having to think about every shallow thing i say, need to say, want to say, want to prove OR the shallow-er things people around me might do.

I love how she stimulates my mind to see the good amidst the bad. and among all things, i live for her. when i'm just about pissed and tired and near the brink of giving up... there i see her and i know i should never settle for something less that what i can do. but hey, i'm not the best student! of course, i'm far from that! ahahha.... but i do try. She also told me, that i should do my best in my academics, but i should also cherish the moments i have in college... and enjoy every moment of my experience, never skipping a problem or an opportunity. She said, i should grow up properly, holistically and in the right time and at the right pace... she always tells me that i should never try and speed up my life because time will always be way ahead of me, and the moments i take for granted or the sceneries i fail to see, in my speedy quest to get to where i'm headed, i might not appreciate all of what life has to offer. and she's right i should enjoy my journey, for i will never pass that way again... i get once chance at everything in life, might as well enjoy it w/o stepping on the happiness of others... my happiness should never be at the price of another's.

God gave me an angel as my mom and i'm very grateful.

This poem by Max Ehrhamm, is somewhat a summary of what she tries to teach me.. but ofcourse.. heheheh my head is kinda---- hard to crack... hehehe :D

DESIDERATA

by Max Ehrmann

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.