Desiderata

Today is the first day of the new year. 2012.

Traditionally we make new year's resolutions to be a "new me" and then by tomorrow we are back to the "old me".

It is a beautiful morning, as I look down from our veranda overlooking the Lagoon, white yachts moored near the yacht club - and bird song from Pledge Park next door, shouting wildely to announce this new year. I was chatting to Michelle about our hopes and dreams for the year, and we are excited about 2012! We intend to embrace every good thing, be positive and to live with good expectations about every new day. As we talked we remembered the hippy posters of the 70's of the Desiderata, a 1927 poem by Max Ehrmann. And it still seems to have some very good messages for those of us who want to commit to a new way of thinking in 2012.

Go placidly amidst 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 story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations 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 with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Life is about choices. We can choose to live happy and fulfilled lives - or we can choose to bow our heads and take the cares of the world on our shoulders - why would we want this last choice - yet so many do. So many deny themselves the chance to soar like eagles. We surely all want to be free, to fly and to embrace the world.

I believe that one of the most debilitating loads man takes on is religion. That is "religion" the bondage. Faith can set us free - but religion will make us a prisoner. We are free in the joy of creation, we are created and creating all our lives. How can we deny that. But even more - how can we allow man to shackle us in irons and imprison us in laws and doctrines which suck out our life and living until we are bowed under structures which deny our freedom.

So lets break free in 2012 - celebrate creation around us and find joy in every day and every person who crosses our path.