Desiderata can serve as a good guide for us to
lead a meaningful life. Do you agree? Why or
why not?
Answers
The poem “Desiderata” can be analyzed as a poem full of practical lessons, morals, and ethics of the life. It focuses on the ways to deal with the world’s reality. The poem advice the readers to be calm and silent to cope up with the everyday struggle of life. The poet asks to be on good terms with the people and to be in good relationship with each other. Since every individual has equal rights to speak and get heard by others, therefore no one should be ignored. One should not consider anyone dull or ignorant and should not ignore them. Rather one should deal with them calmly and positively. One need to avoid people who are aggressive and loud in nature. Such people decrease the morale and productivity. Comparison with others should not be practiced in the day to day life, as these things increase bitterness and negativity in the person’s life. The poet suggests the readers be employed with any work rather than be idle and be unemployed. One should always respect one’s job. While conducting financial transactions one should always be cautious. Helping hand should always be raised for the people who are in need. The poet wants his readers to be satisfied with what they have and have respect for it. Thinking about the things which one lacks or doesn’t have should be avoided because these things bring irritation and uneasiness in life. One should never underestimate the power of love because this enables one to cope up with any difficulty. The poet doesn’t want his readers to be a self-critic of themselves. The ending lines of the poem emphasize the almighty God. He wants his readers to believe in the reality of God who is always there to help him. Though life is full of dreadful things, still one should always praise the beautifulness of the world. One should always be cheerful and put his best to make the life the best one.