Every morning, as soon as I wake up, my mind is already racing. Thoughts bounce around like pinballs, endlessly pinging off the walls of my brain. Tasks to do, memories of the past, plans for the day and the future blend with snippets of conversations and media, creating a chaotic mix. It’s overwhelming, leaving me lost in the constant noise and chatter.
To combat this chaos, I’m grateful for my morning routine—a habit I’ve followed for years. This routine includes reading from my daily readers—books filled with brief, thought-provoking messages that offer bits of advice, wisdom, or glaring reality to inspire and guide personal growth. Often, the message is exactly what I need; it’s like a guiding light that offers insights steering my thoughts in a positive direction.
One morning, in my search for peace of mind, the reading featured Max Ehrmann's 1927 poem "Desiderata." The opening lines struck a chord with me: "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." These words, along with the poem in its entirety (read full poem below), put my thoughts into perspective and showed me ways to act with care and thoughtfulness.
Ehrmann’s poem also reminded me of the Serenity Prayer written many years ago as part of a sermon by Reinhold Niebuhr : "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
Both the poem and the prayer offer powerful guidance. They encourage me to find peace amidst the chaos, to seek calm and clarity, and to focus on what I can control. Reflecting on these words helps me center myself, allowing me to approach the day with a sense of purpose and tranquility.
The wisdom of "Desiderata" combined with the principles of the Serenity Prayer provide me with practices to help focus my thoughts, make mindful decisions, and embrace the present moment by controlling what I can and accepting what I cannot.
Searching for and finding peace of mind is a continuous journey. It’s a process that leads to comfort and relief, allowing me to align my actions with my inner values and aspirations. Practiced daily, it brings me closer to the calm and serenity I seek.
Desiderata By Max Ehrmann
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 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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Are you searching for peace of mind? Contact Betty Franklin, RN, Mental Fitness and Wellbeing Specialist, Coach, Educator and Author at [email protected]
