Living happily in Egypt

[newcastle]

For some reason, in this holy month of Ramadan, and after scanning the usual tales of woe on social media forums about the trials & tribulations of living in Egypt, I was reminded of the words os St. Francis of Assissi :

“Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Also very pertinent to preserving your sanity here are the words of 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 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 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 critical 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 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 careful. Strive to be happy.

No....I haven't found religion....just sense

[Mad Dilys]

What a lovely way to start the day, thank you Newcastle.

I recently heard Morgan Freeman recite this poem and it's certainly got the "Tingle Factor".

I couldn't remember who wrote it, so I Googled it this morning and this is how the Wikipedia entry starts:

"Desiderata" (Latin: "desired things") is a 1927 prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann. Largely unknown in the author's lifetime, the text became widely known after its use in a devotional and after spoken-word recordings in 1971 and 1972.

[newcastle]

I find it a useful poem to bring to mind whenever I'm about to morph into 'Victor Meldrew'

It's not easy....and I frequently fail.....but I do try....

[Yildez]

Yes, excellent advice for all ex-pats! Certainly works for Turkey!

[Bullet Magnet]

We had that Desiderata hanging on the hall wall by the lounge door when I was a kid, living in Is-y-Coed
Translated into English, meant "In the Trees", which is odd considering the whole area was pastoral farming.

[carrie]

Have both poems in my bedside cabinet and certainly do help when frustration tends to get the better of me. Thank you Newcastle.

[Moonstone]

I keep these poems with me constantly and always find solace in their words. Without running the risk of this topic turning into Poets Corner, here is another one. This was given to me when I left Scotland to live in Luxor.

The Journey - by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
‘Mend my life!’
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognised as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do–
determined to save
the only life you could save - your own.

[Dusak]

and although a good and wise verse, it would, unfortunately, still be lost to one or two.

[carrie]

Thank you for that Moonstone will copy it out and add it to my little collection.

[Moonstone]

You're welcome. Enjoy.