1. Desiderata: Original Text

This is the original text from the book where Desiderata was first published.

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious 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 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 in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann ©1927


2. THE 24-HOUR PROGRAM

For people struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, and other psychoactive substances.

— Just for today, I want to live this day well, and not try to solve the problems of my whole life all at once. I'll try to live it the way I wouldn't yet have the courage to live for the rest of my life.

— Just for today, I want to be happy. I'll assume it's true that "most people are about as happy as they decide to be."

— Just for today, I want to adjust myself to what is, rather than try to adjust everything to my own wishes.

— I want to meet whatever fate brings me.

— Just for today, I want to exercise my mind. I want to learn things worth knowing. I want to learn something useful. I want to read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

— Just for today, I want to exercise my will in three ways: I'll do something good and neither mention it nor boast about it. I'll do at least two things I usually don't feel like doing. I won't show anyone that my feelings have been hurt.

— Just for today, I want to have a plan of action. I may not stick to it exactly, but I'll try to guard against hastiness and indecision.

— Just for today, I'll find a quiet moment and try to relax. I'll look at my life from a better perspective then.

— Just for today, I want to let go of my fears and enjoy what is beautiful. I trust that by giving a lot of myself to the world, I'll gain a lot in return.

— Just for today, I want to be in harmony with those around me. I want to look good, be appropriately dressed, speak in a calm tone, be polite, not criticize anything, not go looking for faults, and not try to change anyone except myself.

3. SLOGANS FROM THE 12-STEP FELLOWSHIPS

• "First things first"
• "This too shall pass"
• "The most important things in my life aren't things"
• "Would you rather be right, or be happy?"
• "Expectations are resentments under construction"
• "Expectations = resentments in the making"
• "Put your recovery first, so it can survive"
• "The disease is physical, the cause is emotional, the solution is spiritual"
• "Holding a resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die"
• "Progress, not perfection"
• "Honesty heals me"