From Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata:
“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”
This is an interesting sentence as it juxtaposes two competing thoughts – “discipline” and “gentle.” Note I said “competing” and not contradictory. In this I am reminded of Dan Fogelberg’s description of his father in Leader of the Band:
“He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand”
What a phrase – a “gentle means of sculpting souls.” That is, I think, Ehrmann’s point – you can and should push yourself (who wants to get up every morning and go to work?), but don’t beat yourself (hitting the snooze button is not a punishable offense). Be gentle with your soul, and those of others.
Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata:
“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”
This is an interesting sentence as it juxtaposes two competing thoughts – “discipline” and “gentle.” Note I said “competing” and not contradictory. In this I am reminded of Dan Fogelberg’s description of his father in Leader of the Band:
“He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand”
What a phrase – a “gentle means of sculpting souls.” That is, I think, Ehrmann’s point – you can and should push yourself (who wants to get up every morning and go to work?), but don’t beat yourself (hitting the snooze button is not a punishable offense). Be gentle with your soul, and those of others.
It occurs to me... 