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 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 or 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 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 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.

There! Be at peace with God, what ever you conceive Him to be,
And whatever your labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life,
Keep peace with you soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.

Found on Old Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore: dated 1692



"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

John McManus -
I am a life coach, working with the homeless (voluntarily) at present and deriving great pleasure
from seeing my clients grow in confidence and self esteem.
The surprising fact I have relised is that so many people have skills that could be utilised to give them a very sustainably lifestyle, if only they had the confidence to use them.

So many young people have gone to college and Uni and just haven't got the conifidence or the ambition to get themselves jobs or to start their own projects.
Sometimes it is because they have realised their goal of achieving a degree etc and just don't feel the need to push forward - they have reached a plateau.
In life you can never stay on a plateau - you either go upward or downwards.
In other words "they go with the flow"

I always say "When you go with the flow, you are always going downhill"
I tell my clients to make the best possible use of the skills they have and not to drift along through life.

"Yesterday is gone - Live today and have positive visions of tomorrow"
Please feel free to ask questions or make comments