Member: LeHack

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, Desiderata, 1952

posted by theoldman at 9:12 am (EST) on Jul 6, 2009

Thanks for posting your review! We're so glad you enjoyed SHIMMER! The timeliness was pure coincidence - amazing, huh? Eric is always working on something, and feel free to contact him directly with your question (through his LT profile). He'll also going to participate in an Author Chat here in late July. We hope you'll join in!

Cheers,
rachel
Unbridled Books

posted by unbridledbooks at 8:48 am (EST) on Apr 23, 2009

Ah...a kindred spirit. After 40 years of traipsing around the world (spouse in the Navy) we made a final move to Maine with over 100 cartons of book (he took up teaching history after he retired) and I've been a volunteer librarian since we got here, so I keep bringing home books people want to give that the library doesn't need. I too love books about books: Have you read any of Alberto Manguel's (Library at Night or History of Reading)?

Love cats, have books all over this house, and have only entered about 1/2 into LT so far. There are 63 more cartons still in the attic. I also love audio books which I listen to in the car and while I'm doing needlework. Just downloaded the Early Review copy of "In the Land of Invisible Women" and I'm really enjoying it.

Nice to know there are others out there who think heaven is really just an endless tbr shelf.

posted by tututhefirst at 12:21 am (EST) on Oct 30, 2008

Hi LeHack,

Thanks for your reply. One of the books you mention "How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen" sounds a bit similar to the one I am reading at the moment: Reading Between the Lines by Gene Edward Veith - although it has a Christian bias it applies to all readers and is well worth a read.

-TT

posted by TheTortoise at 7:14 am (EST) on Sep 20, 2008

Hi LeHack,

I see you have a stack of books on books - if you had to recommend one, which one would it be?
We share 66 books!

-TT

posted by TheTortoise at 10:54 am (EST) on Sep 15, 2008

As you can tell, I don't frequently check for messages on LT...

I'm glad you enjoyed the guidebook "26 Gorgeous Hikes on the Western Côte d'Azur". If you have questions about it, or even about hiking the region on your upcoming trip, drop me a line.

-Florence

posted by fchatzigianis at 5:08 pm (EST) on Aug 16, 2008