FRIDAY 26TH JUNE

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble Sheep a threatening horn;
While the Lily white shall in Love delight,
Nor a thorn, nor a threat stain her beauty bright.
………………………………...........William Blake (1757-1827)

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A haiku -

in the hermit’s hut
a bowl, a bed, a table
and peace



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A Zen story -

One day a poor farmer found a stray horse in his yard. He kept it and found it a great help with his work in the fields.

The neighbours said, “Aren’t you lucky?” The farmer replied, “Perhaps.”

Some time later his son tried to ride the horse, fell off and broke his leg.

The neighbours said, “Aren’t you unlucky?” The farmer replied, “Perhaps.”

When war was declared, all the young men had to go to fight, but, because of his injury, his son was excused.

The neighbours said, “Aren’t you lucky?” The farmer replied, “Perhaps.”

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This picture "Young Woman Drawing" is by the French painter Marie-Denise Villers (1774-1821)



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MAX EHRMANN (1872-1945) was an attorney in Indiana, USA. At the age of 40 he gave up his work to become a writer and nowadays he is best known for his prose poem “Desirata.”



This video gives a visual presentation of the poem against a background of beautiful scenery and the sublime musical accompaniment of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

The whole thing is quite long - 10 minutes, but I’ve watched it many times now and find it very rewarding. If you don’t have time to spare right now, you can see all the words below.



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Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and 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 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 dark 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 labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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