Thought of the Day: Monday, September 22nd, 2014

Wise words to live and teach by

My thought of the day is devoted to sharing an inspiring prose poem written by American author Max Ehrmann in 1927. It is called the 'Desiderata' which in Latin translates to mean 'desired things'. If any of you had a chance to read my last blog post, you read about a very unfortunate experience that my wife, Neila Steele, and I experienced last week. 

Revisiting this poem over the past week has allowed us to put things into better perspective. We are in a much more positive frame of mind and pressing forward. It feels good to have my mind back into teaching. A little background about this poem....

My wife remembers always seeing a plaque of the 'Desiderata' up on one of the walls of their family home back in Toronto. As she grew older, she remembers reading the poem from time to time trying to figure out the meaning. The poem held more of a special place for her as she became an adult. Years ago, she asked her mom if she could have the plaque for our own family home. We've kept the plaque up for years in our own home and it has held special meaning in our lives. The message is so powerful. Neila uses many of the messages from the poem in the mindfulness and yoga classes that she teaches to both adults and children. 

As you read through the poem, what resonates with you? What lessons from the 'Desiderata' are worthy of sharing with your own children and with the students that you teach? I'm sure that you will all connect with this amazing poem and I hope that you find as much value in it as my wife and I do. Have a great week!

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