Sumpin' Witty

A dear friend of mine recently shared this poem with me. It was written in 1927 by the poet and philosopher Max Ehrmann, although he did not receive credit nor acclaim for it until much later. My friend gave me the poem and said she uses it in times when she needs to be reminded of certain ideals and ways to live life. Max Ehrmann wrote it for himself "because it counsels those virtues I felt myself most in need of." Funny how almost 100 years later this poem is still aptly fitting to life. I can't stop reading it myself, so I thought I would share it with you. Desiderata Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible and 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 vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you...

What happens to a dream fulfilled?  Does it sit upon the shelf like an old forgotten toy, a keep sake for some day when a story should be told? What happens to a dream fulfilled?  Does it get replaced by the next ambition, the next goal, the next big adventure? Does it get forgotten, stored in the attic, set aside like a worn out t-shirt? We’ve pondered the question of a dream deferred, thank you Mr. Hughes, but what of the dream fulfilled? What of this goal we’ve met, this obstacle subdued, this mountain climbed, what of this dream fulfilled? Perhaps for those who’ve only deferred dreams, a dream fulfilled seems a glorious thing, a chance to reach the highest heights. Perhaps for those who’ve fulfilled their dreams, a dream deferred seems a welcome reprieve, a chance to continue dreaming, an ideal as yet unmet.  Like a lover you’ve dreamed of, the real thing is often not as pleasing as the idea or the fantasy. We tend to live too fully in...