We are now fully in the throes in winter, the darkest time of the year. I don’t know about you but 2017 was a whopper roller coaster of a year for me and there were lots of ups and downs but not enough time for reflection. Or maybe I just didn’t consider it a priority. Now that things have slowed down a little  I’m seizing this as an opportunity for the 3 R’s – rest, recovery and reflection. I feel the need to refocus  on what is most important in my life and the things I need to embrace to live the best life I can.

This morning while I was cleaning up my office I came across a poem that was given to me at a perfume workshop at The Perfumer’s Studio in Hollywood, CA  I attended last fall. I’ve been working on creating my own fragrance for quite a while and after doing extensive research with people in the industry plus taking an earlier course they offer entitled “The Art and Technology of Perfumery” I had taken my ambition to the next level.  I wrote about the first workshop here.

Of course what I already knew and they confirmed is that there’s no such thing as an end in the quest to becoming a perfumer. Perfumery is is a life long study and it requires money, knowledge experience and time. I feel very fortunate to have made a connection with the The Perfumer’s Studio and highly recommend their workshops to anyone passionate about fragrance and looking to potentially create their own . 

I can’t even remember when the handout to “Desiderata” was distributed  but my guess is that it was around the time we were learning about the relative impact of odors  or something else related to chemistry when I almost started hyperventilating. Math and chemistry have never been my thing.

“Desiderata” by American writer Max Ehrmann was written in the 1920’s and was sadly practically unknown during the author’s lifetime. It only gained recognition during the 60’s and 70’s when someone made a huge bestselling poster of it. Since then, there have been countless uses of the poem in the popular canon as well as  many YouTube videos.

“Desiderata” (literally meaning “desired things” in Latin) is a poem that manages to capture the meaning of how to take the right path in life without being clichéd, trite or preachy. Getting through life’s circumstances is a challenge for all of us – rich or poor, young or old – and the desire to become a better person is something most of us feel.  Ehrmann said he wrote “Desiderata” for himself because “it counsels those virtues I felt most in need of”.

 In this era of the internet, which celebrates multitasking and stress as evidence of a job well done and social networks as surrogates for face-to-face interactions, it’s easy to feel isolated, disconnected and frazzled. Now more than ever, we need to remind ourselves of what really matters in life and just toss out the unimportant.

Source: Pixabay

So if you’re feeling a little lost, depressed or in need of inspiration to bring you out of that winter funk, consider the wonderful words in Max Ehrmann’s timeless poem.

DESIDERATA

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;

for 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 and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Keep interested in your 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.

Never be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to 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 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 with your soul.

With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

                                                                                              by Max Ehrmann (1927)

Source: Pexels