Bumps and Bruises
Good morning my dear friends, here is a tale that combines the wisdom of ages with a dash of personal misadventure. Picture it: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, 2023: a hospital room in April, where yours truly found himself on an unexpected vacation courtesy of a rather pesky stroke or two. Now, I'm not one to recommend such accommodations, but let me tell you, it's an excellent place for contemplation and reflection on ones state in life. And what did I choose to keep me company during this involuntary spa retreat? Well, some well-intentioned coloring books, a bag of jelly belly jelly beans and none other than Max Ehrmann's timeless masterpiece, "The Desiderata."
You see, dear friends, "The Desiderata" is not your run-of-the-mill poem. It's a roadmap for living, a GPS for the soul, a guide to navigating the chaotic maze that is life. And trust me, after dealing with a sudden health "hiccup", and a brush with death, I needed some serious guidance.
Now, I could bore you with a line-by-line analysis of the poem, but where's the fun in that? Instead, let's take a stroll through some of the highlights and see how they apply to my little hospital adventure. I strongly suggest you take a well-deserved break here and go read the poem yourself. You won't regret it! The link is at the bottom of this missive.
Ok, so first and foremost, Ehrmann tells us to "Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence." Well, there's nothing quite as noisy as a hospital room, with beeping machines, bustling nurses, and the occasional groan and cry of a fellow patient. "Go Placidly" HA! Easier said than done when you have a room full of doctors and nurses running around worried that you might not make it. But one thing I realized during this time was how important it is to not be ruled by fear. Yes, fear is natural and normal but allowing it to consume you does nothing in terms of helping the situation. That's why this line is so important: go placidly despite the commotion and stress that life throws your way. But, oh, how I tried to go placidly! I embraced the chaos with all the serenity I could muster, feeling like a zen master in anti-slip hospital socks and butt on full display in a hospital gown.
Next, Max advises us to "speak your truth quietly and clearly." Well, folks, I can assure you that whispering is a skill I have not perfected over the years, but it served me well when discussing treatment plans and asking for extra Jell-O. After all, there's no need to ruffle feathers when you're tethered to a hospital bed.
But perhaps the most relevant piece of wisdom from "The Desiderata" is this final gem: "With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful." My oh my, how this one hits home! Amidst the uncertainty of my health, I found solace in the simple beauty of the world outside my window—a tree swaying in the breeze, the occasional bird perched on a windowsill, and the gentle hum of life beyond those sterile walls.
Now, dear readers, the stroke was a rather inconvenient reminder that life doesn't always go according to plan. But Max Ehrmann's words offered a breath of fresh air and a renewed appreciation for the beauty that we often take for granted, that in the grand tapestry of our existence, our setbacks and struggles are threads that add depth and texture to the design.
So, next time you find yourself amid chaotic circumstances, remember Ehrmann's advice: go placidly amid the noise and haste, speak your truth quietly and clearly, and don't forget to appreciate the simple beauty of life. Embrace the chaos, speak your truth, find beauty in the world, and above all, be cheerful. Life may throw you a curveball now and then, but with a little wit and wisdom, you can still hit it out of the park.
And who knows, maybe one day you'll look back on your misadventures with a smile, just like I do when I think about that hospital room and the unexpected poetic companion that guided me through it.
