Memorize the Desiderata with me? - Page 2

[jenneology]

I wish I had known when I was a kid how helpful it is in memorizing to write down the words. It make sense for me because I've always been a kinetic and visual learner so the typically say it outloud to yourself over and over again doesn't work for me.

Today, I'm pondering over "avoid loud and aggressive persons for they are vexatious to the spirit."

I think that many people would consider me a loud and aggressive person which is contradictory because others see me as very reserved. and I'm probably worst about it with my child and of course, I feel like I don't know how not to be. And I also feel that often the agressiveness is needed; not in the form of aggression, but as assertiveness. I often feel alienated from others because I can be very assertive. In advocacy, that's important. In education, I think that is also beneficial. In parenting, though? I'm not so sure. I'm working on using quieter (and fewer) words to give directions and when those directions are not followed, to act instead of use more (or louder) words. This phrase of the Desiderata is probably the most challenging for me.

[jenneology]

Fill in the Blank, Game 1

Here's hoping you are ready for fill in the blank for the first three sections!

Go _________ amid the noise and ________
and ___________ what peace there may be in _________.

As far as possible, without _________
be on _________ ________ with all persons.
Speak your _______ quietly and _________, and ________ to others,
Even the _________ and __________;
they too have their _________.

Avoid _________ and __________ persons,
they are ____________ to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become ________ and _________.

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by jenneology

Here's hoping you are ready for fill in the blank for the first three sections!

Go _________ amid the noise and ________
and ___________ what peace there may be in _________.

As far as possible, without _________
be on _________ ________ with all persons.
Speak your _______ quietly and _________, and ________ to others,
Even the _________ and __________;
they too have their _________.

Avoid _________ and __________ persons,
they are ____________ to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become ________ and _________.

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 stories.

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.)

[jenneology]

I thought I got distracted and didn't finish it. Haha, I believe there was a baby needing my attention and I pressed post. Now were you able to do that without peeking? And was there any part you struggled with? How long did it take?

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by jenneology

I thought I got distracted and didn't finish it. Haha, I believe there was a baby needing my attention and I pressed post. Now were you able to do that without peeking? And was there any part you struggled with? How long did it take?

No peeking. It took a couple of days to memorize that part, but that's all I've done. I printed out a copy and just read it over and over again, memorizing one line at a time. Guess it's time to start working on the next part....I've been slacking off.

How's it coming along for you?

[jenneology]

The last part I worked on was:

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is perennial as the grass.

I can never spell perennial right the first time!

I have no idea what comes next, so that's where I'm off to now!

[jenneology]

I've been pondering this question for a few days...what does this phrase mean: "many fears are born from fatigue and loneliness"?

I'm drawing a blank, can someone explain?

[Purple Sage]

That's a good question. How do fatigue and lonliness cause fear?

I read that line with the one above it to mean that we shouldn't worry. Many worries and fears are caused by feeling lonely or fatigued (among other things)....maybe he's saying that we should realize what is causing our fears and work on that instead of letting it lead to "dark imaginings." I don't know...just thinking out loud.

[dyehappy]

I'm going to join in too! My mother had this memorized when I was child. She said that she had read it repeatedly in book form when she was child - I wish I could find that book! So, I think, along with some of the exercises you've mentioned, I will incorporate into our bedtime routine and read it to my LOs before they go to sleep. I am also going to try and encourage DD1 (14) to memorize it. Its so beautiful and I feel a sense of peace every time I read it.

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by dyehappy

I'm going to join in too! My mother had this memorized when I was child. She said that she had read it repeatedly in book form when she was child - I wish I could find that book! So, I think, along with some of the exercises you've mentioned, I will incorporate into our bedtime routine and read it to my LOs before they go to sleep. I am also going to try and encourage DD1 (14) to memorize it. Its so beautiful and I feel a sense of peace every time I read it.

That's a great idea! I have many Dr. Seuss books memorized from reading them every night.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by jenneology

I wonder though if Catholics schools would still have children memorize it if thet knew about its history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata I'd say probably because it is still good and spiritual.

why would Catholics have a problem with a nice poem expressing Spiritual truths?

nevermind... I actually read the whole thread.
I think there are bigger fish to fry...

[jenneology]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

That's a great idea! I have many Dr. Seuss books memorized from reading them every night.

And Goodnight Moon, and Brown Bear Brown Bear. Yup.

I found some understanding for the phrase "many fears are born from fatigue and loneliness." My husband and I were discussing the what-if one or the other of us were to die leaving the other with the children (how's that for some dark imaginings...) The topic did come up from this pondering of this phrase from the Desiderata, and of course the worst fear that either of us could have is in reality to be widowed. So I was pondering if that were to occur, why is that the scariest thing I can imagine? And the answer I came up for myself was because of 1) the fear of being without my husband (i.e. the loneliness) and 2) the overwhelming tiredness (fatigue) that would come from being a single mom to two young children and working for their support. So that works for me, now that I have some sort of application of it.

[jenneology]

Alright pass it on (no peeking!):

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

[jenneology]

I made it all the way through! Now for a few days of repetition.

[Momma Moo Martin]

Okay, I'm a super late joiner but I want to memorize it too! :P I'll play quick catch up!

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by jenneology

I made it all the way through! Now for a few days of repetition.

That's great! I'm getting there, still tripping up on some of the lines, but reading it every night at bedtime is working!

[jenneology]

Originally Posted by Momma Moo Martin

Okay, I'm a super late joiner but I want to memorize it too! :P I'll play quick catch up!

Welcome and enjoy!