I'm Good

I bet you've been wondering where I've been haven't you??

Well I am once again ensconced in my cosy condo high in the skies over Toronto, enjoying the marvelous view and the endless warmth of the wonderful heating system. No one believes me when I tell them my house in Albania is permanently at 17 degrees celsius. But it's the truth! Well at least between October and March. In the other months it's about 37 degrees. I love being able to walk over to the thermostat and nudge it just a tad and wooooosh suddenly I have heat. No waiting for 2 hours for the radiators to heat up, no enduring the cold blast of wind from the air conditioners which are used in winter for heat. No, I am warm and snuggly here and loving it. (Okay sometimes I do complain about overheating!)

I flew here last Friday with such ambivalent feelings- I was torn between cancelling my ticket because Coco has still not reappeared in our lives, and wanting to be 'home' with my family in Toronto for the holidays. Well I am here and it is the right place to be. Now we're just waiting for Dec. 31st when Peter will join us for about 11 days.


I was reading a blog this morning on Skirt.com and I was reminded of one of my favourite poems, Desiderata by Max Ehrman, so I'm sharing it with you this morning. Every bit of spiritual wisdom from all the world's great religions is summed up in this treasure. Read it, believe it, live it, and the world changes.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and 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 ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and 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 with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

(c) Max Ehrman 1926