Desiderata

So there's a story that goes along with this... I was in Basic Training, and it was my unit's turn to do "Base Beautification Duty". That's basically the Army's way of doing lawn care and landscaping without having to pay for it. They get us up at the usual hour of 0430 and we're all standing there, knowing that we're all in for a long, long, day of hard work. They call out the names of people who are going to be on which detail; 20 in some group to mow lawns, 15 in another to rake the pine needles. There were only 7 others in my group, one of the smallest there was, and they didn't tell us what our detail would be. I have to say I was pretty nervous, not knowing. There was something safe in knowing what your doom was. Every one else was carted off to their far off places to be put to work, lunches in hand. At least we knew we'd be back for dinner. We were loaded on a bus, and a Drill Sergeant took us down the road. We sat in silence, wondering, I'm sure, what we were in for. The Drill Sergeant noticed the silence, and decided to make us sing "The wheels on the bus go round and round", so that made us laugh, and we sang out hearts out, prompted by the promise that if we didn't preform to his liking, it wasn't going to be good for us. He took us out to a land fill looking place, and introduced us to the man who was to be in charge of us for the rest of the day. The man, a civilian was very easy going and very nice, much to our relief. Many civilians, knowing that we were brand new in the Army, tried to boss us around and humiliate us like we were theirs to command.

It was our job, once the grass clippings and pine needles were raked up, bagged and brought to us, to empty the bags. That's it. About 10 minutes worth of work every hour! At first we didn't know what to do with our free time, it'd been weeks since we were left totally unmanaged (the old guy had gone into his office down the hill)! He even left his truck with the keys in it so we could listen to the radio when we wanted. We started digging around the junk piles, and found an old baseball bat and a few balls. Between the piles of trash, we found a perfectly formed baseball diamond, and we each took turns hitting a few balls around. There was a frisbee too, which we used for most of the day. We were careful not to be seen by the other Soldiers bringing back the bags of refuse, word of us having a fun relaxed time while everyone else was working wouldn't sit well. We had a leisurely lunch, and laid in the bed of the truck soaking up the sun, listening to the music, the few girls that were with us actually volunteered to give back rubs!

We spent the day totally relaxed, a vacation from the stress and worry of boot camp. At the end of the day, we all shuffled down to the small one room office at the bottom of the hill, and entered into it's air conditioned glory. We took turns using the (fairly) clean bathroom, and absorbing the cool air. As we waited to be picked up in the bus, I looked up and saw the words below on the wall. I started to read them aloud, not knowing what it was, or what the next words would be, and as I did, a hush fell over our relaxed group. Soon, everything was silent, save the hum of the air conditioner as I read the words. A peace fell over us, and as I finished reading, nobody spoke, because it seemed that we all wanted to hang on to that silent peace. As the bus rumbled up, and we marched out, we each took one look back at the words on the wall. Upon our return to the barracks everyone had already heard what an enjoyable day we had, and compared it to the misery which they had to deal with. Soon we were back to the hustle and bustle of our training, and that day seemed a forever ago. Yet as I looked back on that day, a remnant of that peace filled my heart, and I have tried to live my life according to the words which capped the perfect day.


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.