a note to self

~ Desiderata ~
Max Ehrman (1927)
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 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 and 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 imaginings.
Many fears are borne 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,
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 careful. Strive to be happy.
-¤-

i unearthed that old poem and put it here in my blog because...

today i finally stopped and made some serious thinking, err, reflections.

i realized i've been going, going, and going on for sooooooooooo long and i've done so many detours: i think it's right to say that for years, i've been going in circles inside a maze of my own making. how stupid.

wait.

i've sensed that for some time now. i mean, i've long realized i'm always on the go but never really getting anywhere...and today is when i finally willed myself to stop and said, "owkey. val, enough of that. you're wasting time by raking in so much from all over, and what for? you're inviting crap."

so now, i'm going to try my best at a new slate. God bless me.