Desiderata

I used to love this poem and read it often--especially when I was in college. I think it's time I made more effort to live this way. Maybe some of the wisdom contained in this poem will help some of you who visit my blog.

Desiderata

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s

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.

Catching up

So, I realize I have some, no let's face it, lots of catching up to do on blogging about my summer activities. Please forgive if these are a little out of order...

First week of June: Went on vacation with friends to Catalina.

Father's Day:

Found out my little sister and her hubby are expecting a baby!--but not until February. This will be the first grandchild for both families--can you say "spoiled rotten"? Naw, my sister won't let that happen.

Fourth of July weekend:

Drove to South Dakota with another group of friends to spend the 4th at Mount Rushmore.

July 10th:

XanGo Summer party at Seven Peaks Water Park at which my "band" and I competed in the final round of the XanGo Rock Band competition and won first place. I cannot tell a lie. We rocked it!

July 18th:

Went to the Jack's Mannequin and The Fray concert at USANA ampitheatre. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The bands were awesome and the company was not too shabby either.

In between all that has been lots of hot tubbing, playing board games and going to movies.

Let's Match!

Strange thing...I was looking through/cleaning out some drawers full of old papers last night and I came across some wedding announcements from friends who've gotten hitched in the last couple of years. I don't know if this strikes you as odd, but it did me--about 75% of the couples in those announcement photos had something in common--they look like each other! Seriously. Not even Kidding. I wish I had a scanner so I could scan the photos and post them here. The betrotheds look alike--like they could be related, and not by marriage. It's kind of creepy.

I do remember reading an article once that talked about how people are attracted to people who resemble themselves or family members because we like familiar faces. It kind of makes sense, but again, also kind of creepy.

What do you think? Are you generally attracted to people who resemble your family? Or do you think that's kind of creepy too?