Desiderata - A Life Changing Poem for Hard Times

RedFrost Motivation

15 Apr 202004:47

Summary

TLDRThis video script encourages viewers to embrace tranquility amidst life's noise, advocating for peace in silence and respectful dialogue with others. It advises against comparison, promoting self-appreciation and caution in worldly affairs. The script emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, maintaining hope, and nurturing a strong spirit. It reminds us of the universe's benevolence and the beauty of the world, urging us to seek happiness and inner peace.

Takeaways

🌿 Go placidly amid the noise and remember the peace found in silence.
🕊️ Be on good terms with all persons as far as possible without surrender.
🗣️ Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, including the dull and ignorant.
🚫 Avoid loud and aggressive persons as they are vexations to the spirit.
📏 Comparing yourself with others may lead to vanity or bitterness, as there will always be greater and lesser persons.
🏆 Enjoy your achievements and plans, and keep interest in your own career, however humble.
🔍 Exercise caution in business affairs, as the world is full of trickery, but recognize the virtue that exists.
💖 Be yourself and do not feign affection, nor be cynical about love, as it is perennial.
🍃 Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
🌌 You are a child of the universe with a right to be here, and the universe is unfolding as it should.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?
-The main theme of the script is about finding peace and maintaining a calm demeanor amidst the chaos of life, while also embracing one's own journey and personal growth.
What does the script suggest regarding the value of silence?
-The script suggests that silence can offer a form of peace and should be appreciated as a means to find tranquility amidst noise.
How should one approach interactions with others according to the script?
-The script advises to be on good terms with all persons, to speak one's truth quietly and clearly, and to listen to others, even those who may seem dull or ignorant, as they too have their own stories.
What is the script's stance on comparing oneself to others?
-The script warns against comparing oneself to others, as it may lead to vanity or bitterness, given that there will always be people greater and lesser than oneself.
What advice does the script give about one's career and aspirations?
-The script encourages one to enjoy their achievements and plans, regardless of how humble their career may be, as it is a real possession and a reflection of one's own interests and efforts.
How does the script address the issue of dealing with trickery in the world?
-The script advises to exercise caution in business affairs due to the world being full of trickery, but not to let this blind one to the virtue that exists.
What is the script's perspective on being oneself?
-The script emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, warning against feigning affection or being cynical about love, and encourages maintaining one's individuality.
What does the script say about the counsel of the years?
-The script suggests taking kindly to the counsel of the years, as it gracefully surrenders the things of youth and nurtures strength of spirit to shield one in times of misfortune.
How should one deal with fears according to the script?
-The script advises not to distress oneself with dark imaginings, as many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness, and to maintain a wholesome discipline.
What is the script's message about the universe and one's place in it?
-The script conveys that one is a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, and has a right to be here, with the universe unfolding as it should.
What is the final advice given by the script regarding life and happiness?
-The script advises to keep peace in one's soul despite life's challenges, to be cheerful, and to strive to be happy, recognizing the inherent beauty in the world.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Peace and Serenity

This paragraph advises maintaining tranquility amidst chaos and valuing silence. It emphasizes the importance of being on good terms with others and speaking truthfully and clearly. Additionally, it encourages listening to everyone, including those who might seem uninteresting or ignorant, as everyone has their own story.

🛡️ Avoid Negativity

This segment warns against loud and aggressive individuals who can disturb one's peace of mind. It also cautions against comparing oneself to others, as this can lead to feelings of vanity or bitterness. The focus is on enjoying personal achievements and plans, and staying committed to one's career, regardless of its perceived status.

🏆 Strive for Virtue

This paragraph discusses the importance of exercising caution in business dealings due to prevalent deceit but also recognizing and valuing virtue and high ideals. It highlights that many people strive for heroism and idealism in their lives.

💖 Authenticity in Relationships

The message here is to be true to oneself, avoid pretending affection, and not be cynical about love. Despite life's challenges and disillusionments, love is described as enduring and constant, akin to the grass.

🌿 Embrace Aging Gracefully

This part advises accepting the counsel of older years and gracefully letting go of youthful things. It underscores nurturing inner strength to withstand sudden misfortunes and being gentle with oneself amidst fears that often arise from fatigue and loneliness.

🌌 Universal Belonging

The emphasis is on recognizing one's place in the universe and understanding that everyone has a right to be here. Regardless of one's clarity on this matter, the universe is unfolding as it should, and one should strive to be at peace with God, however one conceives Him to be.

🌍 Peace in the Chaos

In this final paragraph, the focus is on maintaining inner peace amidst life's noise and confusion. It acknowledges the existence of pretense, drudgery, and broken dreams but insists that the world remains beautiful. The key takeaway is to stay cheerful and strive to be happy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Placidly

The term 'placidly' refers to a calm and composed manner, especially in the face of stress or turmoil. In the context of the video, it encourages viewers to maintain serenity even amidst the chaos and noise of life, as exemplified by the line 'go placidly amid the noise amazed.'

💡Peace

Peace, in this video, symbolizes inner tranquility and the absence of mental or emotional disturbance. It is highlighted as something that can be found in 'silence,' suggesting that quiet moments are essential for achieving inner peace, as indicated by the phrase 'remember what peace there may be in silence.'

💡Surrender

Surrender here implies a willingness to accept circumstances without resistance. The script advises not to 'surrender' in the sense of giving up one's values or beliefs, but rather to be at peace with the world without compromising one's integrity.

💡Truth

Truth, in the context of the video, represents one's genuine thoughts and beliefs. The script encourages speaking one's truth 'quietly and clearly,' emphasizing the importance of honest communication without aggression or loudness.

💡Listening

Listening is portrayed as a valuable skill in the video, suggesting that one should be open to hearing the stories of others, 'even to the dull and the ignorant,' which underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in communication.

💡Vanity

Vanity is depicted as a negative trait in the video, warning against comparing oneself to others, which may lead to 'vanity or bitterness.' It suggests that self-comparison can be detrimental to one's self-esteem and happiness.

💡Achievements

Achievements are presented as something to be celebrated, regardless of their scale. The script encourages viewers to 'enjoy your achievements as well as your plans,' highlighting the value of personal progress and ambition.

💡Cynicism

Cynicism is portrayed as a barrier to genuine experiences, particularly in relation to love. The video advises against being 'cynical about love,' advocating for a more open and hopeful approach to relationships.

💡Heroism

Heroism is mentioned to illustrate the potential for bravery and virtue in everyday life. The script notes that 'life is full of heroism,' suggesting that acts of courage and kindness are common, even if not always recognized.

💡Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is a central theme of the video, with the message that one should 'be yourself,' especially in the face of societal pressures to conform. It emphasizes authenticity and self-love as key to personal happiness.

💡Counsel

Counsel in this context refers to advice or guidance, particularly that which comes with age and experience. The video encourages taking 'kindly the counsel of the years,' suggesting that wisdom gained over time is valuable and should be respected.

💡Discipline

Discipline is presented as a necessary part of life, but the video warns against 'unwholesome discipline,' indicating that balance is crucial. It suggests that self-care and gentleness towards oneself are important aspects of maintaining discipline.

💡Universe

The universe is depicted as an inclusive and nurturing force in the video, with the message that every individual is 'a child of the universe,' deserving of respect and having a rightful place in the world.

💡Contentment

Contentment is the state of being satisfied with one's circumstances, and the video encourages finding this state despite life's challenges. It suggests that even with 'sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,' the world remains beautiful and it's important to strive for happiness.

Highlights

Go placidly amid the noise and seek peace in silence.

Be on good terms with all persons and speak your truth quietly and clearly.

Listen to others, acknowledging that everyone has a story to tell.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons to maintain spiritual tranquility.

Do not compare yourself to others to avoid vanity or bitterness.

Enjoy your achievements and plans, regardless of their scale.

Stay interested in your career, no matter how humble it may be.

Exercise caution in business affairs, acknowledging the world's trickery.

Recognize the virtue in others who strive for high ideals.

Be yourself and do not feign affection or be cynical about love.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years and surrender gracefully to age.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

Do not distress yourself with dark imaginings, as many fears stem from fatigue and loneliness.

Practice wholesome discipline and be gentle with yourself.

Acknowledge your place in the universe, as a child no less than the trees and stars.

Be at peace with God and trust in the universe's unfolding plan.

Maintain peace in your soul amidst life's noise and confusion.

Strive to be happy and find beauty in the world, despite its challenges.