A Special Gift

Self Confidence

Feb 6

Written By Ashley Dodge

“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here.”

— Max Ehrmann

The End Leads to the Start

Sometimes when least expected the universe can hand us a nice beautiful gift that gets us to thinking differently.

This past week – my husband returned home from a boy’s only, week long “epic” ski trip to Telluride. We then sat at one of our favorite restaurants sipping on margaritas and munching on tacos as he shared the stories and pictures of the amazing time he had with his east coast buddies.

Self-Confidence Has Many Forms

As one discussion lead to another I got to thinking about self-confidence in it’s many forms including the ability to head down double black diamonds with others of your same skill level (something I know nothing about).

As my mind wondered looking towards this month and our focus on the tool within our psyche that serves us best – self confidence - the words from a poster that used to hang on my wall as a teenager popped into my brain.

I was originally thinking of it with the wrong words – no less than the moon and the stars you have a right to be here. I can remember looking at that poster (super cool at night with the black light on it) and feeling there had to be a reason I was put on this planet. Many nights I looked at it for hours through a blaze of tears trying to not feel so unraveled and alone.

Searching for the Light

Finding positive connections back then was super critical for me as I tried to get through the craziness of my parents divorce and all that came along with that life crisis. All the while I was dealing with being a teenager as well. To say I was an extremely lost soul at the time is putting it mildly.

Fast forward to our return home after our taco feast that night I scoured the internet trying to find this poster from the late 60’s early 70’s. Sadly, the original beloved poster was not to be found. However the origins of the words were. I really love the discovery process Google can put us on at times even if we can’t find what we were originally looking for.

It was then that I discovered the full writing of this poem called Desiderata that somehow has missed coming into my life other than that one line on the poster.

So the rest of today’s Victory Letter is my gift to you in sharing this beautiful poem Desiderata – Latin for “desired things.” Enjoy it and I urge you to share it with someone who could use a little boost this week. Remember in doing so - the more we can boost the self-confidence of others the better we can be fully in step with our own.

It’s the little things like these words from a poem or a meal with a loved one that really matters most.

Desiderata

A Poem by Max Ehrmann

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.