Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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

13 comments:

MsTypo said...

What a beautiful poem. :)

I'm totally jealous that you're in toronto!! I haven't been home for christmas since i was married. Happy Christmas!!! :)

Karen said...

Hi Kim,

Desiderata has always been my favourite words to live by. I have a framed copy at home & one at work. I can recite it word for word.

Love you & hope to see you over the holidays.

Love,
Cousin Karen

G in Berlin said...

I used a piece of this for Thing2's birth announcement: I love it.

swenglishexpat said...

So that's where you are! Enjoy family and Toronto. I'll be doing the same, going to Sweden to see my family. After all, we are expats.

Gezuar said...

Wonderful poem, thanks for sharing it. I'm holding the fort down here, all is well.

Rositta said...

Hi Kim, welcome to T-Dot. Not very nice weather though, have you seen the sun yet, LOL...
We're heading out to sunny but freezing Calgary for Christmas. Spending time with family is the best. Sorry your dog hasn't appeared yet, that is so sad...ciao

© DAI - 2004-2014 said...

Thanks, Kim, for sharing the lovely poem, describing wishes I strive for every day. Knowing Tirana's life, am glad to know you're enjoying a cozy stay in Toronto, as I'm in NY, during this time of the year.

Strangely for me is the fact that, notwithstanding the glitches to be surmounted when living there, physically I'm always better in Tirana, and don't feel the pains that plague me, instead, in NY. Aren't we lucky people to be able to have such a diversity of experiences?

Sad about Coco, nevertheless, have a merry time with your dear ones.....and Gezuar Vitin e Ri!

Paul said...

Beauty and truth! I love it.

John D.C. Masters said...

Thank you for this. I am going to continue reading your blog with interest. As an Irish expat in New York, I have fallen in love with the Balkans over the years and am wondering if you have the same sentiments...Albania is my next port-of-call.

Ginnie Hart said...

You have no idea how that poem hits home for me right now, Kim. Thank you!

Enjoy your stay in Toronto. Soon I'll be in Michigan with Ruth and Don. I can hardly wait (Dec. 30 - Jan. 4).

GMG said...

Hi Kim! With a 48h day I would have time to enjoy your blog more often; shame on the time controller… ;))
Glad to see that you're feeling warm, even if in cold Toronto... ;)
Great poem!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is departing Tunisia 2007, but managed to keep the delay in posting on twelve (12) months only. Great achievement… ;)) Enjoy, comment and have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorites too X

Stela said...

Great Poem. Thanks for sharing it