If you've been around the Playground much at all, you've probably become familiar with my mantra:
Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. ~ Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"
The entire poem holds a place of honor in my office, reminding me that while I have a place in the universe, so does everyone else. I also reminds me that while I may not understand, that's okay. The bigger plan is playing out.
I've used this mantra through my rejections, personal tragedies, and the roller coaster of life in general. The "why" may not make sense to me, but the universe is unfolding as it should. I just keep telling myself that. Some days it works better than others, but it's served me well.
Then WonderMom sent me this link to the Story People page and the piece entitled "Partial Enlightenment." She said it was the "next line" to my mantra, and you know, she may just be on to something:
The problem with knowing everything's going exactly as it needs to is that when you're not having that much fun it doesn't even do any good to complain.
Yeah. Ain't that the truth.
I already have two Story People prints on my wall (Leaves of Music and Quiet Pride, both gifts from WonderMom) but this one may soon have a place of honor up there as well. Right underneath "Desiderata."
Do you have a mantra? Is there a bit you'd like to add to it?
PC
*I'm a big fan of Max Ehrmann's poems and my Fabu CP got me a collection for Christmas last year (because she's AWESOME like that). They're beautiful and moving (even for someone who's not a huge poetry fan in general like me), and I've marked the one I want read at my funeral. Surprisingly, it's not "Desiderata," but y'all can read that one at the funeral, too.
8 comments:
One of my mantras is "it is what it is." Doesn't mean I have to like it, but it just is what it is. Then I move on cause I can't change it.
Sometimes it's: "Just Do It!" But, I've found this one to be the standby: "If you always do what you always did, then you'll always get what you always got."
Christine and I have the same mantra -- It is what it is. And I suppose the rest of it is "Despite what it is, I will survive!" cue the Gloria Gaynor music and rev up the disco ball
And I did not know the universe unfolding thing came from Desiderata. I thought it was just one of those things you say. sheepish grin
I like "To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first"- William Shakespeare. I have to remember that when I want to jump into something and finish it yesterday.
My favorite quote is "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
The trick is to remember that in the middle of everything.
I didn't realize that quote had a source either...I just thought you were brilliant. :-) You're still brilliant, I'm just going to look up the entire poem now.
Instigator
I'm flattered that my friends thought I was so clever. It's all Max, and I highly recommend "Desiderata" as a whole when you need something to ponder .
Well, hell. I thought you were just brilliant, PC.
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