Be Gentle with Yourself

from the 1927 prose poem  Desiderata (Latin: “desired things”) by Max Ehrmann

in full:

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.

Max Ehrmann

Since yesterday, I have been feeling lots of resentment triggered emotionally by the news that I will be posted to work at the head office. I could visualize myself vanishing from my present comfort zone and stepping into a furnace and burned to death. To eliminate feelings of resentment or anger, I will start searching for motivational and inspirational quotes to remind myself that life is short, the time spent getting angry or resentful about things is time squandered. Be mindful and do something to remove myself from it. 

I kept reading different quotes from Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, C.S.Lewis and many more. Not only was I reminded to make peace from within, also refreshes my mind to be grateful for what I have that I know how to be a happy person living in this beautiful world. When I came across this quote "Be Gentle with Yourself" by Max Ehrmann, the simplified version from the original poem of "Desiderata", I felt the sudden awakening from deepen guilt inside to praying for forgiveness and peace.  I am thankful to God for his guidance and acceptance ... I found peace and love that I want to share it with people around me.