Its Friday morning and last night was our final LandL class. I was blown away. I entered this semester with a new understand of love because of El Salvador and I am leaving transformed by not only that experience but this Love class that I was so blessed to be apart of. You can’t teach a feeling, but each moment in this class was a lesson in the experience of love. Love in each of our lives. I will hold this course with me forever and will never forget the importance of love in the work that I do. Below is a poem that was given to us in the middle of the semester. I have carried it with me since that time and although it doesn’t deal directly with love it guides and informs who I hope to be because of this class. Thank you Athena, Dr. Green, and all the participants for quite a journey.
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 vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others you may become vain or 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 labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore 1692
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