Kelly's Quotidian

It’s a bit corny, I know, but I love Max Ehrman’s Desiderata. I re-discovered it last Winter. I had just gotten back from a snowless Moscow and was “iced” in at Houston. Beeb and I had braved the cold to go to fabulous pizza place.  While servicing  my tiny tank  in the bathroom, I looked up and  found  the poem posted on the back of the bathroom stall door. Not a very esteemed place for such wonderful poem, but I don’t think Ehrman would have minded. I’m gonna dork it out and post it below:-)

Desiderata

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 to 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 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.

(c) Max Ehrman 1926

After the holidays I was blessed to have received many wonderful things that I didn’t really want, but was greatful for the thoughts. Upon getting home I started a massive return campaign. Buying stuff is stressful for me. I’d like to modify the phrase embarrassment of riches to the stress of riches. I am prone to analysis, it is my gift and my bane. I also warm to notions of practicality. These things coalesce into a maelstrom of consumer hell for me, quickly. I found myself checking the internet for the best possible price on all kinds of silly things. Paralysis soon set in. How could I really know if I was getting the best deal?! My eye actually started twitching , and it’s not because I’m about to start my last semester of classes for my Ph.D. It’s directly related to buying “stuff” mixed in with computer angst (see prior post).

I’m on a strict diet of simple now and am taking steady doses of 130 pounds of combined furry antidote.

They decidedly do not make your life easier.

This is a fiction perpetrated by those who enjoy the countless hours that slip between their fingers and the keys.

But, like the crack whore that I am, I always come back for more. I’m just not fooling myself anymore:-)

It has been a freakishly long time, I know.
A lot has transpired since you last heard from me.
I will not bore you with the details, but will instead let them organically arise in my tales of the present which shall fallow.
I must warn that I am trying on new “skins” to see what my “new” look shall be. Feel free to comment.
In the meantime, know that I will be adding my usual updates from the furry village and from life as I know it.
I missed you too:-)