Perhaps some of you have read the beautiful Desiderata, which is well-known. Here is a funny version for those who are Desiderata-challenged, and here also is the original (below it) when you are ready for the "real" thing. Enjoy.

The following poem was Not found in an old Baltimore church (the original, true version is below this humorous one):

You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.....
Deteriorata! Deteriorata!
Go placidly
Amid the noise and waste.
And remember what comfort there may be
In owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons
Unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself
And heed well their advice,
Even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss.....and when!
Consider that two wrongs never make a right
But that THREE.........do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment
And despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.
You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Remember the Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate.
Know yourself.
If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you.
That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore;
It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth:
The birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan
And let not the sands of time
Get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time call 606-4311;
Ask for "Ken."
Take heart amid the deepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot
It could only be worse in Milwaukee.
You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back.
Therefore, make peace with your god
Whatever you conceive him to be---
Hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewal
The world continues to deteriorate.
GIVE UP!
You are a fluke
Of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back.

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Performed by National Lampoon on "National Lampoon Radio Dinner," a 1972 recording by Blue Thumb Records. Lyrics by Tony Hendra.
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The Original 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 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 in 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 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 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.

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Often attributed as "Found in Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore: Dated 1692."

Actually, Desiderata was written in 1927 by an obscure Indiana lawyer and poet named Max Ehrmann. Sources include: The Washington Post, November 27, 1977.

Hi Alysia, the funny version isn't a big chuckle for me either! But I do think the contrast is interesting, and funny in itself. No doubt in Roman times there was grafitti which made fun of the wise pronouncements of others. Nothing new under the sun.

However, your poem and statement moved me, and I can feel a lot of love behind them. It can be a discouraging world at times but we are all in the same boat, whether it feels that way or not. I don't think most people have a clue how to change the awesome amount of suffering in the world. Do we even know how to love ourselves, how to value and honor what is often silent inside of us?

We are capable of so much more. I'm sure many young people are wondering, why was I born in this day and time, and why should I care about the future when so many things have been "messed up" in this world by others.

The thing is, it seems that every single generation has this same dilemma. Our challenges, shared by all the other living creatures on the planet, only seem more dire now. Despite all the news stories, there have always been the "have's" and the "have-not's" and a life which is consistently unfair for a huge number of beings.

It is how we choose to interpret our "lot" in life which seems to matter most.

I must empty my mind of all the chaos to survive here on planet Earth. Then, I can open up the road for a new vision.

It seems that I am not a saint but, rather, a human being with potential. As are each of us. Because I don't know what that potential truly is, for myself or for those who share this planet with me, I won't predict our future, but strive only to contribute to it.

If I let go of the "prediction" given to me by others, I can now fill in the blanks for myself. This is not delusion but creation.

I realize that, as I age, I will be letting go of lots of "stuff" anyway. Why not now? None of the "stuff" matters much ultimately, at least in the way of attachments. It's always good to let go, when the time is right.

I'm trusting that our true leaders will emerge, the best and the brightest, as this is their time.  All that our politicians cannot do, we must do for ourselves.

And, if anyone is wondering..... Yes, we Can.

love, blink

Justin-

You are right, this thread is off-topic.  As to why no one spoke up about it, I would guess that the reason is that it was just posted yesterday and the topic is non-controversial.

I agree that poems, songs, funny stories, etc etc should definitely be posted Off Topic.

Actually most off topic posts don't get moved unless someone complains to the moderator.

  Edited for blessed brevity's sake       2 posts, for the price of 6.  That's 3 times less.

  I believe this thread is off topic.  I'm speaking up in this particular case, because of the below already given reasons.

  "Ok Blink, i will say it as simply and as directly as i can.  To me, there seems to be kind of favoritism treatment on part of others, to certain others, who are core, long term members of this site.   

  I do not agree with this, and since it doesn't seem all that conscious, well i'm trying to bring it out into the conscious.   Nothing in the dark can be worked on or through, because its not perceived to begin with.   

  Maybe i am just totally off though.   But if there wasn't something to what i'm perceiving then for example, two threads made by you, a long term poster who knows better, should have been commented on and moved to the Off topic section, just as much as say some of Alan's or other people's threads have been commented on and moved. 

  Why the disconnect, why the difference?     Why for one, and not for the other?

  That's all i'm saying. " 

Hi, 

Do we get to vote?  I think the Deteriorata is funny !

But then I think alot of things are funny that probably aren't, like why someone would waste their time posting six (6) times to say something that could be said in one---?  (But that's not six votes against what you're saying, J.    )

Bets

hey, Bets, when you started laughing I did too!

and, Juditha, you just made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

i think growing old is going to be fun.

time for my slippers, blink

Quote:



   Hi Juditha, thanks for the above and i know you are not trying to put me down.   I understand what you are saying.   

   But we cannot have rules that apply to some, but not others.   It is not hard to put a thread that you know is off topic in the off topic section.   I don't start a lot of threads all in all, but when i do and they're off topic i put them in that section, because its a form of trying to have respect for the rules and for other posters. 

   Some posters continue to not do this and no one says or does anything.   Others routinely get their threads moved.   There's a deeper reason why there is a difference.   That's the issue i have, not with Blink as a person, not with off topic threads, not with this particular thread, but with inequality and unequal treatment.   

  I'm not trying to stifle anyone's self expression here.  I like many of Blink's threads, but she can just as easily start some of them somewhere else just like the rest of us who are trying to abide by the guidelines set down.   

  As far as Linn and all that goes, i agree with Albert, and i'm speaking from personal experience on this one.   I don't know if you know this or not, but I have just as much reason to be upset at her and that group as you do, if not more so because of the different conditions.    I went from Linn telling me privately that i was one of the highest vibrating people she had ever tuned into, to being banned quite quickly, mostly secretly (to most of the rest of the group), and with no prior warning or strikes.    I got different stories and reasons for why, and to this day i don't fully know why.   

  Point is, it's important to try to let this kind of stuff go.  It can hurt and there is nothing wrong with hurting because of something like that, but for your sake don't let it turn into resentment.

Hi Justin I did not realise you had a run in with that linn,i can just imagine how you must have felt and she banned me and Deanna on the same day we joined saying we set her up and she will not tolerate that on her forum,so i wrote back and told her what i thought of her,but she did not reply,because i hit some home truth with her and she did'nt like that,but i will try to get rid of my resentment as i've had this for two years now and i have got to learn to let go,its her loss justin not ours.love you juditha

Hi recoverer  I will try and let go of my resentment for that linn as she has done the one thing she shouldnt have done lieing about spirit as the other day i got a message from spirit and i wrote it down ready to put on the afterlife and then i was stopped by spirit because some of it ,i had got wrong so its still written on my word proccesser at the moment as i have got to get this message right,thats why linn the great medium has strayed off the path.

Please forgive me recoverer for this one last thing i've just said about that linn,but i couldnt help myself,i will now concentrate on getting rid of my resentment and i love you lots as well and from today i will stop thinking about that linn.

Love and God bless you both      love Juditha