Ninety-eight years ago, Max Ehrmann wrote the prose poem Desiderata. It begins with the memorable and soothing line, “Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.” This pensive starter gives contrast to the noisy chaos of our hasty world in which it is so easy for us to get captured.
I have a friend from Kenya who is a dual citizen though he spent most of his life in The United States. When I asked what surprised him initially about our country, he responded by saying, “I was most surprised by the lack of respect that citizens show leaders. It seems to impact a lack of respect and mistrust for others and ultimately for themself.” With the gift of free speech at the base of our nation’s Bill of Rights, people speak openly and often critically. This has both a positive and negative effect on our society; but lately, it seems that the noise—and disrespect—has increased, distracting from Ehrmann’s next lines: “As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others.”
It is tough to listen to others and difficult to respect people who impose ideas opposite ours. In the Tower of Babel story (Genisis 11), citizens attempted to build a stairway to heaven. In response, God punished them by confounding their languages which led to the scattering of humanity. It is unclear if the scattering was primarily physical and geographic or if it was more of a socio-political disunity that resulted. The story resurfaces at Pentecost when God reversed the fate of Babel and restored unity to people through the power of the Holy Spirit, whereby people of various nations and languages began to speak, hear, and understand one another as though they were of one heart and mind. Though we, humans, tend to babble amidst the chaos of national news and world affairs, we would be more likely to get in sync if we listen to the Holy Spirit and let God guide us.
I don’t know how people who are central to daily news and who possess immense power and wealth—like Trump, Putin, Musk, and Xi—center themselves amidst global mayhem. Since money can’t buy integrity, fame cannot grant forgiveness, and power doesn’t offer inner peace, I wonder if the trade-off brings happiness. Ehrmann infers that loud and aggressive people are vexations to our spirit while politics, business, and some relationships are filled with trickery, so we should be cautious, but not blinded to all the virtues that do exist. He instructs us to be grateful for what we possess and humble with our achievements, to gracefully surrender the things of youth while aging with wisdom and understanding, and to be at peace with God, even if our concept of God is incomplete or confusing. He concludes by stating: “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.”
Most of us have no say in world affairs and little impact upon government decisions. Though we desire enough resources to be comfortable, most of us do not seek fame, riches, or notoriety as much as we value dignity, mercy, and serenity. “Desiderata” means that which is desired. We desire happiness and peace. I think there are many places and people that help us achieve them; some are physical places like churches or hiking trails, some are good friends and soul mates with whom we naturally connect. Some are not people or places at all, but moments of clarity, solidarity, or synchronicity with God or nature, or a unique encounter that speaks deeply to our soul. In your desiderata, I wish you true peace that elevates you to a higher existence above the noise, haste, trickery, and drudgery, a quieter existence whereby you are reminded of our world’s tremendous beauty and blessings.
