Discuss 'Desiderata' as a poem that motivates one to remain optimistic and offers suggestions to lead a happy and peaceful life.
(Detail Explanation required)
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★ About the Poem
This question is taken from a reverie 'Desiderata' by Max Ehrmann, an American poet, writer and philosopher. Desiderata (Latin : Desired Things) is an inspirational poem that offers a positive outlook towards life. It advises people to be good and kind to all and asks them to see the world with both its joys and sorrows. The poem tells people to live a peaceful life and strive for happiness.
"Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann is a highly motivational poem that acts like a beacon light in the journey of life. The world is full of chaos, hardships, trickery, misfortunes, loneliness, drudgery and shattered dreams. It is in a situation that 'Desiderata' motivates one to remain positive and offers suggestions to lead a peaceful and happy life.
Accept Noise
The poem begins with an advice on how to live amidst the noisy and confusing world. The poet asks people to accept the noise i.e. to accept the world as it is, but to strive to remain peaceful.
Accept Others
In our daily life we deal with many people - family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers. The poet suggests that one should learn to get along with others. One way of doing so is to give voice to one's opinion without being bogged down under pressure. The poet advises us to avoid people who are too loud and aggressive as such people disturb our peace of mind.
Avoid Comparison with Others
In this world, people are running a rat race to succeed. They compare themselves with others. In the process of getting ahead of others , they lose their mental peace. One should enjoy one's own achievements.
Exercise Caution
We should focus on our own job, however humble it may be. With hardwork and conviction we can reach the top position in our career. Be cautious, as the world is full of tricksters but remember that there are also virtuous people.
Love Yourself
Be themselves, not to imitate, not to make pretence of love and affection. Use your past experience and strengthen themselves not to indulge in depressing thoughts. Be disciplined and gentle to oneself.
Be Cheerful
The world with all its hypocrisy, insincerity, drudgery and unfulfilled, broken dreams, is still beautiful. One should always remain cheerful and strive to be happy.
Thus, Desiderata offers a set of simple values, which when practised, could make human life much happier, peaceful and worth living.
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Discuss 'Desiderata' as a poem that motivates one to remain optimistic and offers suggestions to lead a happy and peaceful life.
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explanation of poem
the beautiful poem 'Desiderata' is written by Max Ehrmann, is a simple, yet powerful prose poem that lays out the tenants for living a happy life and keeping peace in one's soul. The forty-six line poem is a long commentary on how one should consider their day to day life.
- Accept the world as it is
The World is full of noises and to live happily and peacefully one should accept the world as it is. The poet suggests that one should accept the noise of this world, but remain peaceful. One must learn to remain calm and silent from inside ones heart. The silence brings peace with it and further joy to our soul.
- Be cheerful
The poet says that apart from all hypocrisy, insincerity, drudgery and unfulfilled broken dreams, the world is still beautiful. We need to look at the brighter side of the things and to be at peace with God and oneself. The poet believes that life should be lived and enjoyed. One should always remain cheerful and "strive to be happy".
- self-love (Love yourself)
The poet advices us to "Take kindly the counsel of the years "i.e. learn lessons from the past experiences of yourself as well as your elders. We must strengthen our spirits so that we can face any sudden misfortune. But do not be distressed by imagining future misfortune. We should live in the present without giving vent to negative thoughts developed from "fatigue" and "loneliness".
- Focus on your career
The poet says that we should focus on our job however humble it may be. With hard work for determination we can reach on the top position in our career. we should be aware of trickers, who can cheat us and let us down, at the same time we should not ignore the goodness of some other people. The world is full of motivation and we can get inspiration from good people.
- Accept others
The poet suggests that one should learn to get along with others. For this one should not only give voice to ones opinions but also to listen to others opinions too. Every person even a dull or an ignorant have something to tell from his experience. The poet further advices to avoid loud and aggressive person as they disturb our peace of mind.