Thursday Thirteen: As it Should

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The final thirteen lines of Max Ehrmann's "Desiderata":

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.


(Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.)

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52 Comments

  1. Beautiful words. Great TT.

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  2. Oh, I truly LOVE the last thirteen line idea. This one couldn't be any better.

    My T-13 is shared. Drop by and help me list MORE!

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  3. What an awesome idea. I the last lines of the poem. Timeless. Happy TT.

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  4. Anonymous6:42 PM

    What a great idea for TT! Such beautiful words.

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  5. Beautiful poem :)

    Happy TT and have a great rest of the week my friend!

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  6. Excellent words, and a really great idea you've come up with there.

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  7. Great TT! Mine will drop at midnight. :)

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  8. I remember that from my college days. I think we all had a framed copy on our walls back then. Hadn't thought of it in a while. thanks, Sandy, for the memory.

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  9. Anonymous8:25 PM

    "No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should"

    Wow - what powerful words - thank you so much for sharing them! :)

    Happy TT

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  10. Anonymous8:31 PM

    "No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should"

    Oh, yes. God give me the memory to remember that!

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  11. Man, that's gorgeous. Simply stunning.

    And to answer your question about the contest blog: if someone submits links to reviews, we'll post 'em. In fact, I hope that they do. Anything to help get authors' names out there.

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  12. so very true :-)

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  13. I'm not familiar with the poem. I love the photograph you chose to illustrate your post. Happy TT.

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  14. I love that piece. I've been meaning to post the entire work on my blog as well. Those words have some meaning and power.

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  15. Amen and Happy TT:)

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  16. I have this framed. It's beautiful. HAppy T13!

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  17. line 6 gives a lot of relief. didn't read this book yet but it seems that it has really good values to learn from it.

    by the way, the photo is really nice.

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  18. "in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul."

    I am left with not much choice.

    (Oo)

    Much!

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  19. Anonymous2:42 AM

    what a wonderful post. great idea great poem

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  20. I love the Desiderata - thanks so much for sharing this piece of it. I think I needed it today.

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  21. Beautiful and powerful words!
    Thanks for visiting my 80's TT.

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  22. I've always loved this poem Sandy. Thanks for reminding me of how great those words are.

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  23. Anonymous6:48 AM

    That is just beautiful! And I love the photo too. Happy Thursday

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  24. What an inspirational selection! "Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." Words to live by. :)

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  25. what a neat tt! beautiful.

    she
    http://www.shebecameabutterfly.net

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  26. Awesome lines Sandy! :D

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  27. Wow, that is beautiful. I'm tacking that one up on my bulletin board!

    Thanks so much for sharing it!

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  28. Anonymous10:10 AM

    This is a wonderful reminder to take in. I feel better already.

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  29. Anonymous10:29 AM

    wow the photo is very appropriate with the poem

    have a great day sandy!

    i have an AWARD for you!

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  30. I've always loved the Desiderata. Such words to live by.

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  31. I love your TT, Sandy. A dear friend gave me a framed copy of Desiderata for my high school graduation quite a few years ago and I've faithfully brought it with me to every place I've lived since - and we're talking like a dozen different places - but it's always hung in a place of honor because I love to look at it. Thanks for sharing and giving me a great smile for my morning!

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  32. this is so inspiring....thank you..

    ps, hope you wont mind if i add you up in my link thanks and have a nice day

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  33. Anonymous12:17 PM

    I love that poem so much!

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  34. Good thoughts to ponder. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Have you Gessoed your palels yet. when you are ready will will continue on the street smarts way to GLAZE

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  36. Anonymous2:22 PM

    Beautiful. I had never heard this before. I will go find the rest of it. Maybe even print it and hang it on my desk.

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  37. Thank you for this, Sandy! I love this poem. I think I will use the whole poem at my sister-in-law's retirement party that I've been asked to speak at. :D

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  38. What a beautiful thing to share Sandy, thank you.
    My TT is up @ The Cafe.

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  39. Such a beautiful poem. I posted the whole thing some months ago. Good idea for a TT! Thanks for the visit!

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  40. Beautiful - I have a framed copy on my office wall at school.
    Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  41. Powerful and beautiful words... and excellent TT choice as always!

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  42. Wonderful words and sentiment.

    Happy TT!

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  43. Anonymous5:36 PM

    I love that poem *so much.* Thank you for a moment of peace in my day.

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  44. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Yes, there is a separate page for each of my books with links to excerpts. Eventually, I plan to put up the first chapter of each book and, for the Victorian series, a timeline. Hope you will stop by the website.

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  45. I just love Desiderata! I remember hearing it on the radio when I was a teenager, got a poster of the words and it hung on my wall until it was basically faded and in shreds. I need a new copy. :)

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  46. a timeless piece


    ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress

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  47. We memorized that in Sophomore year at high school. I loved reciting it out loud. Thanks for posting the last 13.

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  48. Love the photo and the poem.

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  49. Awesome. I hope i can find the rest of it at the public library!

    glad you enjoyed the silly book title list at my TT. that BTW came from an email fwd--an eleven page, 10pt font, single spaced attachment sent to me about four years ago by my sister who, when it was sent to her, remembered how we three sibs as kids would make up these hilarious author/title combos on road trips.

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  50. Oi, I haven't heard this poem for several decades. Israeli peace activist Abbie Nathan used to open his "Twilight Time" music every night with these lines. From the Peace Ship, "somewhere in the Mediterranean," carrying his illegal pirate radio station.
    Thanks for reminding me of those days.

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Thanks for being here.