Desiderata

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 story.
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.
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.

Desiderata! That’s it! The poem that sums it all up about life and living it. A very simple poem which touches on almost every aspect of life, written by Max Ehrmann, an American writer in 1927. It has been in existence since that time, touching and inspiring lives with the simple truths it contains. After stumbling on this poem, I made my own analysis and decided to share with you, especially as a new year has begun. If you do not have a resolution, then voila, here goes one. This is my own broken down Ghanaian version of it;

Life in general and our human relations
Take life calmly and do not be affected by the distractions and how fast things move. People are making quick money and are showing off everywhere they go in their flashy cars and designer apparel. Yeah, but do you now the source of their money? And I hope you know how such people with fast living end up most of the time. Take it slow mehn! Your time go come.
Learn to keep quiet in the most trying arguments even if you do not agree with the opinion of the other party. Conflicts and misunderstandings may arise but we must try as much as possible to make amends and move on. How simple would life be if we be at peace with everyone around us? We must accept people for who they are because we all come from different backgrounds but in doing so we must not lose the morals and values we were taught from home. That shashee roommate of yours is always up and about chasing after all those men. Yes, it’s her life. Don’t despise her but accept her that way but don’t copy that lifestyle.
We must speak the truth and be honest at all times, lend a listening ear to others and never look down on anyone because everyone, no matter who they are, has a story to tell and a right to his opinion.

Negativity
Stay away from noisy and aggressive people for they cause great annoyance, sap our joy and energy and do not help in our spiritual growth. Everyone knows Auntie Akweley to be quarrelsome in the neighborhood and is always shouting and picking on people. Do not even bat an eyelid when she attempts to tempt you. Empty barrels make the most noise.
Comparing yourself to people who have achieved less than you leads you into thinking you’re better off than they are and makes you think highly of yourself, likewise comparing yourself with people who have achieved more than you makes you look down on yourself and underestimate your potential. Both ways will never make you a better person.

Your business
Be proud of whatever you’ve achieved and whatever plans you have for your future. Enjoy whatever job you do no matter how small it is as you never know what good fortune it might bring you tomorrow. That kpԑnyԑԑ shop you’ve set up that you’re complaining about is better than nothing at all. At least you’re an entrepreneur; your own boss and in hard times, you can fall on it for support. Keep that job and work hard at it. Several people are being laid off daily.
Be careful in your business dealings though, as there are people out there who are ready to take advantage of you should you slack. The fact that that man is dressed in suit and is throwing big English around does not mean he’s qualified. Make a thorough background check before dealing with him. There are however good people out there who will have genuine intentions for you. There are people doing business right and working hard to achieve their business aim.

Your relationships
Be genuine in your relationship; don’t pretend to be in love and don’t lose hope in love. You’re all over Paa Kwesi because he showers you with all the lavish things a girl could ever want or just because you’ve gnashed your whole life, you think there’s nothing like love or Mansa broke your heart after you banked all your hopes on her, so you won’t love again? Despite all the pain and misfortunes that rise up in love, it is still the greatest and will continue to reign till the end of time. Believe in it!

Maturity
Learn from your experiences and as you grow, change your way of thinking and how you go about things. Grow yourself very well in your faith to help you through the difficult times. That’s why we go to church to listen to Osofo’s sermon oo. Charley, in hard times, you apply whatever you learn at church so that you do not waver. But don’t go through life thinking of only negative things that could happen. Only you, dabiaa “what if’. Be optimistic. Loneliness leads to the mind imagining negative things causing fear. Your alone moments should be filled with studying the word and praying.

Love yourself
It is good to have standards but learn to love yourself. Pamper yourself small once in a while. Go out and have fun with friends. You were created to be on this earth to subdue and to enjoy life to its fullest.

Your relationship with your maker
Everything in this world has its place and happens as it should. Therefore obey God and be at peace with Him.

Enjoy life
Whatever you want to achieve in this life, despite the hurdles and all, take it easy. Sometimes things won’t work out as planned but hey, that is life. With all the pretense, tricks and disappointments and shattered expectations, life is still worth living. You studied so hard for that paper but you failed, that trusted friend stabbed you in the back, you lost that dear one, that opportunity passed you by, yeah, it sucks, but life still goes on. Be cheerful and try very hard to be happy.