It is not unusual that some therapists recommend books, essays, even podcasts to help their patients in their process of healing. Poetry in particular, it is another powerful tool that can help people to know more about themselves and life in general.

“Desiderata”, which means “things desired’ is an early 1920s prose poem by the writer Max Ehrmann that can teach people about the reality of the world and also has a powerful message that can help us to live in peace with all the creatures of our environment. These are the main reasons of why you should read every day the poem “Desiderata” to improve your mental wellbeing:

You will remember to be on good terms with everyone.

The poem is a reminder that although we are divided by religion, nationalities, and languages we are in essence part of the same species originated in Africa. Therefore, we should try be in peace with every person that we find in our path without forget that we must be treated with dignity and respect as well.

Everyone has something to teach you. 

There is one stanza that will remind you that you have the right to express your opinion but also that you must be intellectually brave to listen others’ point of view. Also, that you need to remember that wisdom it is not something exclusive of professors or researchers in Universities, but you can learn also from those without academic education but with a lot of experience in life.

Don’t compare yourself with others.

The constant stimuli from social media had provoked that contemporary Psychologists constantly encourage people to concentrate in their lives only. “Desiderata” will provide you a beautiful advice of how it is important to not compare your life with other humans but to focus all your attention in your aims and existence.

There is still virtuous people out there.

  You will also learn in the poem that it is understandable to be cautious during your normal life, as there are a lot of malicious people who intentionally will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not generalize, because there are a lot of wonderful Sapiens making the world a better place and certainly you can join them and promote love instead of hate.

Remember, you are a child of the universe.

Think about this, you are a brilliant animal with particles in your cells that had existed for millions of years (Sundermier, 2015). The atoms of your body were made in fusion reactions in stars (McMahon, n/d). “Desiderata” will remind you everyday day that you are not so different than other animals or the trees and plants in your surroundings. The poem will be a daily reminder that you need to go outside to seek harmony with your environment, and go inside (by metidation and introspection) to find harmony with yourself.

Do not forget that it is still a beautiful world.

The final stanza will invite you to accept that there are a lot of cruelty and chaos in the world. Nonetheless, you need to be grateful, you need to enjoy the beauty of the simple things in life, because at the end, our planet is still a wonderful place in the universe.

To conclude, I invite you to read the poem, analyze it and feel whatever you need to feel. Joy, anger, sorrow, “Desiderata” is a wise poem that can provoke different emotions, enjoy them, learn from them and I hope you can make this poem a daily or at least a weekly reading so you can enjoy with intensity and wisdom the gift of life.

Complete poem here: https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html

References.

Sundermeir, A. (2015) The particle physics of you. Symmetry Magazine.  https://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/the-particle-physics-of-you

McMahon, D. (n/d) Ask Experts. PhysLink.com. https://www.physlink.com/Education/Askexperts/ae38.cfm