And continuing in the spirit of this time in our lives i am remembering the beautiful gift that was given to the world in the poetry of the universal spirit at the very heart of Desiderata, often just known as "You are a Child of the Universe" written by Max Ehrmann 1927
Desiderata
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 vexations 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 not this 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 labors 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.
Max Ehrmann, 1927
Historical Postnote:Max Ehrmann (1872–1945), inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary:
"I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift-- a bit of chaste prose that had caught up some noble moods."
Conventional belief is that Ehrmann actually wrote the prose himself and copyrighted it in 1927.
Around 1959, the Rev. Frederick Kates, rector of Saint Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. At the top of the handout was the notation: "Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore 1692."
In the 1960s, it was widely circulated without attribution to Ehrmann, sometimes with the claim that it was found in Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore, Maryland, and that it had been written in 1692 (the year of the founding of Saint Paul's).
This created a lot of confusion about the prose poem for many, many years.
Nevertheless, the estate of Max Ehrmann has kept various editions of the work in print. And the family is considered to own the copyright to the poem now known as Desiderata.
Watch: a lovely You-tube version, set to the music of Paul Schwartz.
Thank-you for sharing that poem. It says so much.
It's time for a little "Randy Rainbow":
I was just about to post this one, it is awesome and he did it so quickly!
Just a Spoon Full of Clorox
@lovendures, I had a feeling you'd be the first to respond! He is such a talented guy.
Pete Seeger would have been 101 years old today. In the late 50's, he wrote a song that had lyrics taken from the Bible's book of Ecclesiastes. The Byrds released a version of this song in 1965. It became a #1 hit, the song with the 3,000 year old lyrics from King Solomon:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain that which is to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time of love, and a time of hate; a time of war, and a time of peace(I swear it's not too late)
Here is a newer version of Turn! Turn! Turn!, with lyrics written by Pete's wife, Toshi https://youtu.be/RkUldreCyZU
@unk-p. Thank you for posting this treasure. So wonderful to remember the song, the lyrics and Pete Seeger. I loved the Byrds' version and I love reading the words knowing how old they are.
@unk-p, I love that song. It reminds me to not hold on too tightly, let go, have faith and remain hopeful. Simply beautiful. I grew up with the Byrds' version. It always uplifts me.
@jeanne-mayell, @deetoo The Byrds version has always been one of my all-time favorite songs. I hadn't heard the newer one until today- i just landed on it "randomly", after listening to other stuff. As it was playing, someone said something, and then i realized that today was Pete's birthday. The whole thing really cheered me up, so i thought it should be posted. I am glad that you enjoyed it, too.
One of my favorite singers in the world (and in my opinion one of the best singers currently on the planet) is a young (26 at the end of this month) Kazakh singer named Dimash Kudaibergen. He recently did this song, which is the main theme for an Italian movie called Creators - The Past. The film is a science-fiction/fantasy story that is the writer's fictional interpretation of why the Great Planetary Alignment of 2012 didn't seem to have much of an effect at the time. The movie was supposed to have been released in March but was postponed due to the current situation. Although made in Italy, the film is entirely in English and it looks pretty interesting if you like that genre (I do!). Anyway, this is a video of Dimash singing the main theme against a background of scenes from the film. If you don't know who he is or haven't heard him before, you're in for a treat! I'll put the lyrics here because there are a couple of minor places where they aren't clear.
Here's the link first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efIWFhD8a4
Sad eyes lost
Into the dark
I miss to tears
The source of my creation
My soul free
From space and time
Ready to ride
Across endless dimensions
So fly me high
And hold me tight
From empty days
To light
Show me stars
Oceans of love
Show me the way
To reach the core
Of my life
So fly me high
And hold me tight
From endless deserts
To light
Take me home
Back to my soul
Give me gold wings
So I can touch the sky