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 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 lonliness.
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 and drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.
Finally able to leave a comment. You’ll have to tell me more about silence. I don’t think I really ever experienced it. Whenever the world gets quiet my brain starts to get noisy. When the world is silent my brain is very loud. That being said I have experienced peace outside of silence. Often this has happened while reading a post of yours!!! Thank-you, I’m glad I’m getting them again!
So glad we are connected again. I understand what you mean about silence being invaded by uninvited thoughts, almost as if the thoughts feel the need to fill the supposed empty space of silence. I find it rare when silence has finally arrived that thoughts don’t feel the need to take over. Yet, by concentrating on one thought with wonder and awe, that can push other thoughts out. I realize that by concentrating on one thought, that seems opposite of silence. However, it is a way to silence the active mind a bit. By the end of concentrating on a single point, like love, hope, peace, there comes a moment of stillness and peace, the silence of the mind inside and out feels like a long awaited gift. It feels like time suspended, a deeply meditative state, a calm that no one can explain adequately. Sometimes when the brain realizes this special drop in time, it kicks in automatically, then that fleeting moment is gone. But at least you get to experience it, even if it is for brief moments. With more and more conscious effort, those moments can be extended. Keep trying. The effort is well worth the eventual result.