Desiderata
Renaissance Humans, #58
Couple quick updates:
I’m moving forward with self-publishing The Infernal Tower. I have an outstanding copy editor working on it now, and a visual artist working on the cover. Looking for a fall 2025 release—going to record the audiobook myself.
I started a podcast with a friend—fellow veteran (Retired Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel) and writer Dan Pace. Look for The Surf and Turf Show wherever you find your podcasts. We discuss how to be a good human in this fragmented, alienated, and confused world, and plan to focus on parenting, technology, masculinity, and living virtuously.
I’ve been at a men’s retreat facilitated by friend and fellow Frogman Kevin Stark for the past few days. Although I have a few essays close to completion, I want to tighten up before publishing. I will also write about the retreat when I get some time to process everything. Here is a reading I shared with the group. I’m always searching for ways of speaking that can resonate with people of faith traditions, atheists, and everyone in between. Desiderata is an example of this. Latin for desired; longed for; sought after, Max Erhmann composed the poem in 1927.
Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and the ignorant; 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 or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own 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. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly 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 dark 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 labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann
Brother I really liked this one, having said that I’m glad you found a way out of the cul de sac, outstanding navigation buddy. Keep flowing keep growing
Impressed with your creativity and productivity, Adam! 👏 Will gladly subscribe to your podcast. Always happy to see the lovely Desiderata pop up every few years somewhere. It's a keeper.