A Dash of Philosophy

Every morning as I venture to work, I pass a weathered old home that doubles as a local landmark - "The Spice House." The woman who owns the establishment is about as weathered as the home the shop is located in, but her rusticness and earthy disposition are half the excitement of visiting this quirky retailer.

You see, The Spice House sells nothing but spices (OK, and a few cookbooks - using spices). There isn't a spice in the world that isn't in this little shop, and that is no exaggeration. I never knew there were 37 variations of sea salt that are harvested from 24 different locales around the world! So, in search of a robust zing to add to our weekly taco feast, I sauntered into the store yesterday. Little did I know I would leave with not only five variations of international spice blends, but I also gained a hearty morsel of philosophy to boot.

With my bag of treats came a bright orange piece of paper with scatterred, hand-drawn illustrations of spices and beans and a poem of an inspirational nature. It is called "Desiderata," and was originally written on the wall of the Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore. It was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, but resonnates with our world still today. It goes a lil somethin' like this:

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 agressive 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 posession in the changing fortunes of tme.

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.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

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 imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of God, 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, 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.

How random this poem was to surface in my simple trip to the spice shop to find a taco seasoning, yet how metaphoric that such a writing would appear in a spice shop. Isn't it amazing how a pinch of variety can emerge amidst the mundaneness of errand running!