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 and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your 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 everywhe Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical 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 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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. © Max Ehrmann 1927 |
Friday, April 20, 2012
Desiderata
Monday, April 16, 2012
The audacity of Odysseus
Scripture:
Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways.
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Jeremiah 1:7 "Do not say, 'I am only a youth';
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord."
Odysseus. He was the king of Ithica, supposedly the most adventurous of all Greek mythical characters. So one time he and his men were coming home to Ithica from a battle and a gust of wind changed their course so they had to pass by the sirens. The sirens were supremely beautiful women in mermaid form who sang so beautifully, sailors could not resist but go to them. The thing about it though was the sirens would be sitting on rocks so in attempt to get to the sirens sailors would crash into the rocks and DIE!
But Odysseus, upon finding out that they would be passing by the sirens, even knowing that no man had ever heard the sirens sing and lived to tell about it, decided that he just had to hear them sing for himself. So instead of changing course, he poured wax into his ship mates' ears so that they couldn't hear the sirens sing and therefore avoid being tempted to go to them. He also had himself tied to a mast so that he could hear the sirens but not be able to do anything about it should he be tempted. So because of his audacity to face the sirens, he became the only man to ever hear the sirens and live to tell about it.
BOLDNESS!!!
...so help me God...
Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways.
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Jeremiah 1:7 "Do not say, 'I am only a youth';
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord."
Odysseus. He was the king of Ithica, supposedly the most adventurous of all Greek mythical characters. So one time he and his men were coming home to Ithica from a battle and a gust of wind changed their course so they had to pass by the sirens. The sirens were supremely beautiful women in mermaid form who sang so beautifully, sailors could not resist but go to them. The thing about it though was the sirens would be sitting on rocks so in attempt to get to the sirens sailors would crash into the rocks and DIE!
But Odysseus, upon finding out that they would be passing by the sirens, even knowing that no man had ever heard the sirens sing and lived to tell about it, decided that he just had to hear them sing for himself. So instead of changing course, he poured wax into his ship mates' ears so that they couldn't hear the sirens sing and therefore avoid being tempted to go to them. He also had himself tied to a mast so that he could hear the sirens but not be able to do anything about it should he be tempted. So because of his audacity to face the sirens, he became the only man to ever hear the sirens and live to tell about it.
BOLDNESS!!!
...so help me God...
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