It's Still a Beautiful World
Changing Lives Issue #14
Where do you find beauty in today’s world? I confess that it’s all too easy for me to focus on the negative things. I have to be very intentional about looking for beauty, and I most often find it in nature.
There are still plenty of beautiful people in the world too, though. I’m married to one of them, and regularly encounter others. When I catch myself thinking about all that is wrong with the world today, and how cruel some people can be, I try to remember that the majority of people are kind.
The “Desiderata” poem helps me do that. It has been widely circulated and remains popular even though it was written in 1927. Here is the original text, as presented on this website:
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 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.
by Max Ehrmann ©1927
Two phrases in particular remind me to recognize and appreciate the beauty in people as well as in nature.
The first one is this advice: “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.”
The second one is the conclusion that “with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”
I love this poem because it does not encourage false positivity or deny that problems exist in the world. It openly acknowledges that “trickery,” “drudgery,” and “broken dreams” are present.
Despite those realities, as the poem points out, “virtue” and “heroism” are also present and the world is still beautiful.
I hope all of us can see and experience the beautiful aspects of today’s world.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this poem and which lines speak to you most powerfully. I’m also curious about where you find beauty. Please leave a comment below! Writing is a lonely endeavor when I don’t have any idea whether or how my words affect the people who read them.
My favorite poem. So many phrases pop out!! Just what I needed right now!