Help Wanted: Desiderata Series

There is one piece of writing that comes very close to summarizing my philosophy of life: Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. I can fully embrace all of the advice offered by this beautiful piece, and it has long been one of my favorites.

As such, I intend to explore Desiderata throughout the month of October here on this blog with a series of posts. However, I would like very much to have some guest writers help me with this project so that we can get a variety of viewpoints on this beautiful piece.

Would you look over the Desiderata below and see if there is a section you’d be interested in writing about? If there is, post a comment “claiming” your section by referring to the corresponding number of your section. Then, in order to help generate some interest in this project, please leave a link to this post on your own blog. I will then be in touch with you via email with more details about the project and how we can proceed. Thank you very much!

UPDATE:  All passages have now been claimed by bloggers. Thank you for your response!

1. Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence. Danny from Be Inspired Every Day

2. As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons. soupornuts.com

3. Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story. Adam from Adam’s Peace

4. Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit. Dr. Ragan from Psychology of Clutter

5. If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Daylle Deanna Schwartz from Lessons from a Recovering DoorMat

6. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Aaron from Today is that Day

7. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Communicatrix

8. Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery. Greg from Change Starts Today

9. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism. Carlon Haas from Possess Less Exist More

10. Be yourself. Alan at Made to Be Great

11. Especially do not feign affection. Adebola at Motivational Corner

12. Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass. Karen Lynch from Live the Power

13. Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Brooke from The Four of Clubbs

14. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. Modern Worker

15. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. David from How to Have Great Self Confidence

16. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Diethack

17. Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself. Darlene from Spirited Boutique

18. You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. Jean from Cheerful Monk

19. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Carol from Clear Life Solutions

20. Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be. Bob from Every, Every Minute

21. And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul. Priscilla Palmer

22. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Random Magus

23. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Monday Morning Power

Sections will be “struck through” as they are claimed by bloggers.

The guidelines will be simple: I’ll be asking for posts between 250 and 500 words in length, with one image in the post. You will be given a deadline and assigned a post date.

I’m very excited about this project and hope you will join it. I think it will be very inspirational to read so many different people’s interpretations of this great piece of writing. Thank you for your participation!