Oriana Kacicek July 7, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Food & Drink, People.comments closed
I’ve featured Oriana’s paintings before, but I couldn’t resist sharing a few more:
Hungry for more?
Visit Paintings by Oriana Kacicek and/or Prints by Oriana Kacicek . . . for more of her FUN and fabulous “edible art.”
Desiderata . . . Desired Things July 7, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Mindfulness, Poetry.comments closed
Desiderata, a prose poem by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945), a lawyer by trade, a poet by choice, hung on the wall of my bedroom in high school, my dorm room in college, and my home office in law school (and since).
Filled with Ehrmann’s observations about life (and the human condition), his words served as a constant reminder to me:
* to be at peace with uncertainty
* to be gentle with myself and others
* to pause and notice beauty and joy
* to go placidly amid the noise and haste
* to access peace in silence
Eventually, after making many moves with us, the yellow felt banner displaying his words and wisdom disintegrated and had to be discarded.
Not long ago, I printed out a fresh, clean copy of his words to display on my office wall:
Go placidly amid the noise and 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 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 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 with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
No rules. Just write!
What about you? Does Desiderata speak to you? Are inner peace and acceptance Desired Things in your life?
Quote: We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same. ~ Carlos Castaneda
Related posts: 25 Simple Ways To Enjoy The Journey * Be At Peace With Yourself (Mirth & Motivation) * Laugh When You Can
Spirit Lights The Way 