You’re the strangest person I ever met, she said & I said you too & we decided we’d know each other a long time.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
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.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
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
Desiderata means “desired things” in Latin; how fitting that summertime is the best time to pursue the things we desire most. I am beyond excited to start my dream job and move to the nation’s capital- pursuing not only personal achievement in my career, but also seeking peace, simple beauty and positivity- things we tend to forget are important when we are stuck in stagnation. Here’s to getting rid of the old dead weights and moving forward. Happy summer, we’re gonna make it after all.
You lucky, lucky girl… You have an apartment just your size. A bathtub full of tea. A heart the size of Arizona, but not nearly so arid. Don’t wish away your cracked past.You had to have him. And you did.
And now you pull down the bridge between your houses, you make him call before he visits, you take a lover for granted, you take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic.
Frida Kahlo
And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
I found this letter today and I fear that nothing I write will ever be able to follow it, but it’s just too fantastic not to share. It’s a letter from John Steinbeck in response to his son, Thom, who originally sent correspondence about a girl in his boarding school class with whom he believed he was in love.
I don’t really even know what John Steinbeck looks like, but in my imagination, he resembles my father with a mustache and slightly fuller head of hair. So I picture my dear father- with his frank penchant for reality, but also surprising moments of sweetness- receiving this letter and smiling to himself as he sits down to pen a response. And maybe this image is what makes this letter so great to me, but I love the message as well.
New York
November 10, 1958
Dear Thom:
We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.
First—if you are in love—that’s a good thing—that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.
Second—There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you—of kindness and consideration and respect—not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.
You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply—of course it isn’t puppy love.
But I don’t think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it—and that I can tell you.
Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.
The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.
If you love someone—there is no possible harm in saying so—only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.
Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.
It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another—but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.
Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I’m glad you have it.
We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.
And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.
Love,
Fa(Source: Steinbeck: A Life in Letters)
We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering… these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love… these are what we stay alive for.
-N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society
a little perspective? i think so.
