I found this at home just before I found it, and I ment to share it on my blog for everyone since I thought it was really good. It was on a piece of wood, placed there by my Aunt Barbara and given to my mother as a gift. It was not the original since the original was found in 1692. My mother finally got a typed copy to me.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & 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 & clearly; & listen to others, even the dull and 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 and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons of 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; & 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 & disenchantment it is 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 imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the star; you have the right to be here. And weather 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 & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Found in Old St. Paul’s Church: Dated 1692

In other news, this weekend was really fun. Nate, for once decided to do things by the seat of his pants. Carmen and Brice almost always do this, and I do about half the time, but for Nate, this was turning over a new leaf. Well, the only thing that we had planned was to play in a wedding on saturday afternoon, so Nate, Carmen and I went downtown Wausau and found a really cool bar. There was an open mic night going on, and the guys that were playing were really amazing. Some of the songs that they played were classics, others were of their own creation. the drinks were really good and cheap for a bar this good too. And of course as Nate said, the conversation was good, but I had the best companions with me that I will ever have *tips hat*. Thanks Nate and Carmen.

That's the news from Platteville. Thanks for reading.
Otto III