A message from Samuel Barber and Max Ehrmann

Brother Apostate

BA- I approve this message.

PS- Learn it. Love it. Live it.

snowbird

I first learned of it in 1972.

Have tried to stay true to its tenets ever since.

Thank you.

Sylvia

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.

Brother Apostate

Incredibly well written, upbeat, and profound poem about life by Max Ehrmann,

combined with incredibly powerful music by Samuel Barber,

combined with awesome scenery,

equals truly moving message for all humanity.

I find the presentation above always picks me up when I'm feeling down,

and moves me to strive to be a better person in everyway.

Just wanted to share it with everyone.

BA- Peace.

nvrgnbk

Lovely.

Thanks, BA.

Open mind

Thanks BA.

Nice to know we have something in common.

You didn't become atheist overnight did ya?

Seriously bro, thanks for the positive reminder.

Open Mind

Brother Apostate

Thanks BA.
Nice to know we have something in common.
You didn't become atheist overnight did ya?
Seriously bro, thanks for the positive reminder.
Open Mind

You're welcome , Open Mind.

Nope, not a trace of atheism in these red-blooded veins.

Profound words, music and scenery, I believe, allow us to transcend our sometimes pessimistic outlook and aspire to be more optimistic.

There is a meaning to life, a point to it all.

It's not a pointless life, and it has meaning now and forevermore.

BA- Enjoy life, always strive to do our best, hope to live forever.

PS- More thought-provoking words about life:

Ithaca

When you start on your journey to Ithaca,

Then pray that that road is long,

Full of adventure, full of knowledge,

Do not fear the Lestrygonians

And the Cyclops and the angry Poseidon.

You will never meet such as these on your path,

If your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine

Emotion touches your body and your spirit,

If your soul does not raise them up before you.

Then pray that the road is long,

That the summer mornings are many,

That you will enter ports seen for the first time

With such pleasure, with such joy!

Stop at Phoenician markets,

And purchase fine merchandise,

Mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,

And pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,

Visit hosts of Egyptian cities,

To learn and learn from those who have knowledge.

Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.

To arrive there is your ultimate goal.

But do not hurry the voyage at all.

It is better to let it last for long years;

And even to anchor at the isle when you are old,

Rich with all that you have gained along the way,

Not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.

Without her you would never have taken the road.

But she has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.

With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,

You must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean

-Constantine .P. Cavafy (1863-1933)

Brother Apostate

Thoughts in a similar vein:

Man's history is the history of his journey to the unknown quest of the realization of his immortal self - his soul.

Through the rise and fall of empires, through the building up of gigantic piles of wealth and the ruthless scattering of them upon the dust; through the creation of vast bodies of symbols that give shape to his dreams and aspirations, and the casting of them away like the playthings of an outworn infancy; through his forging of magic keys with which to unlock the mysteries of creation, and through his throwing away of this labor of ages to go back to his workshop and work up afresh some new form; yes through it all man is marching from epoch to epoch towards the fullest realization of his soul - the soul which is greater than the things man accumulates, the deeds he accomplishes, the theories he builds; the soul whose onward course is never checked by death or dissolution.

Yes they are coming, the pilgrims, one and all - coming to their true inheritance of the world, they are ever broadening their consciousness, ever seeking a higher and higher unity, ever approaching a nearer to the one central Truth which is all comprehensive.

Rabindranath Tagore
(1861-1941)

emy the infidel

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

That's very true....

It's a beautiful video, thanks BA.

compound complex

Greetings and Gratitude, Bro A:

Yes, despite our own aridity of soul and disenchantment
with our fellows, love remains as perennial as the grass.

These are two of my all-time faves re: Words and Music ...

Thank you SO MUCH,

CoCo

A message from Samuel Barber and Max Ehrmann

Brother Apostate

snowbird

AWAKE&WATCHING

Brother Apostate

nvrgnbk

Open mind

Brother Apostate

Brother Apostate

emy the infidel

compound complex

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