DESIDERATA (which according to Wikipedia is Latin for "desired things", plural of desideratum) is one of my all-time favorite poems. Wikipedia further describes it as an inspirational prose poem about attaining happiness in life. I first read it on the walls of dormmates back in college. It was a best-selling poster during our time, together with a poem about not quitting. I didn't like the latter actually so that I never really bothered to keep a copy nor memorize portions by heart.
In the 1960's, Desi has been widely circulated without attribution; it was even sometimes claimed it was found in St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland (USA), and that it was written in 1692 (the year of the founding of St. Paul's). However, a fellow identified as Max Ehrmann reportedly has owned its copyright since 1927.
In any case, here's Desi once again, and with a brilliant and equally engaging (albeit I find it a bit modern) version in Tagalog/Filipino to boot. Unfortunately, I have no idea who wrote the Tagalog/Filipino version; I just found it on email.
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 the 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 you are.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble, for 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 as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
And nurture strength of the spirit, to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imagining,
for many fears are borne 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.
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.
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 the 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 you are.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble, for 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 as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
And nurture strength of the spirit, to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imagining,
for many fears are borne 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.
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.
DESIDERATA [Salin sa Tagalog/Filipino]
Mahinahon mong tahakin ang kaingayan at mga agam-agam ng buhay, at pakatandaan ang kapayapaang mayroong taglay ang katahimikan.
Mahinahon mong tahakin ang kaingayan at mga agam-agam ng buhay, at pakatandaan ang kapayapaang mayroong taglay ang katahimikan.
Hanggat maari ay makipagmabutihan sa lahat ng nilalang.
Turan mo ang iyong paniniwala ng buong kalinawan, katiwasayan at walang pag-iimbot; at makinig sa iba sapagkat kahit na ang isang hunghang at kulang sa aral, sila ma'y may kwentong may kwenta.
Pakaiwasan ang mga hambog at mapupusok, sila'y panggulo lamang ng kaluluwa.
Huwag piliting ihambing ang sarili sa iba sa dahilang ikaw ay maaaring maging mayabang o kaya nama'y mapuno ng kalungkutan; parati kang makakakita ng mga taong mas magaling o mas mababa sa iyo.
Ikagalak mo ang iyong mga narating o nagawa katulad ng iyong pagkakilig tuwing ika'y may bagong hangarin.
Panatiliin ang interes sa iyong napiling karera, kahit gaano ito kahamak; sa pagitan ng pabago-bagong panahon, ito'y mananatiling sa iyo.
Parating mag-ingat sa iyong mga gawain pagkat ang mundo'y punung-puno ng kadayaan. Ngunit huwag mong pabayaang bulagin ka nito; marami pa ring mga taong may mataas na pangarap at hitik ang kapaligiran ng kabayanihan.
Mahalin mo ang iyong sarili. Huwag mong utuin ang sarili mong ika'y kaibig-ibig. Lalo namang huwag mong pagdudahan ang pagmamahal; sa harap ng tagtuyot at pagkukunwari, ang pagmamahal ay pabalik-balik tulad ng damo.
Makinig sa mga nakakatanda habang isinusuko ang lahat ng bagay na mura.
Alagaan ang tibay ng dibdib ng sa gayo'y masalag ang lahat ng biglaang kamalasan. Ngunit huwag mong pakadibdibin ang kadiliman. Maraming pangamba ang isinilang sa pagod at kalungkutan.
Maging maamo ka sa iyong sarili na dulot ng isang mabuting pagdidisiplina.
Ikaw ay isang sanggol ng sansinukob, sampu ng kagubatan at mga bituin; ika'y may karapatang manirahan dito. At kahit ito ma'y maging malabo sa iyo, walang kaduda-dudang ang sansinukob ay dapat lang na mapasaiyo.
Kaya naman maniwala ka sa Diyos, ano man ang kanyang anyo sa iyo.
At kahit ano pa man ang iyong pinaghirapan sa gitna ng kaguluhan ng buhay, panatilihin ang katiwasayan ng iyong kaluluwa.
Sa lahat ng pagkukunwari, kahungkagan at nasirang pangarap, masarap pa ring mabuhay.
Maging maligaya.
Sikapin mong maging masaya.
