The Best Advice You'll Ever Receive

A friend once told me a word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice. So I replied, "I might be stupid but I'm no fool". Then I realized the original version of that statement is "I might be a fool but I'm not stupid."Suddenly the answer came to me. Bill Cosby was the guy who said the stupid ones need advice. Hey, my friend, hold on to your hat, you are not stupid and neither am I. Phew, it's good I got that off my chest. But here's the important point, all our lives we've taken advice from our parents, teachers. mentors, coaches, friends and relatives but that does not mean we are stupid. So what's the real lesson here. All the advice I ever got in my life came to only make me stronger. Some advice came that helped me keep the flame of curiosity and wonderment alive, others came as a confirmation that what I was thinking about or planning was the right thing.

“Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Ha, I know you. You may say you don’t know me but the fact is that though I might not know you personally, I know about you. That I know for sure. I know you want to do something great with your life. I know you want to become better in all that you are striving for. You do want to have more, don’t you? You do want to achieve more and become more than what most everyone settles for in life, don’t you? See! I know you have unrealized dreams , greater aspirations and a burning desire to do something significant with your life. How true is that! I know this because you are still reading this message. So, you see, you and I are very much alike. We are achievers. Some people are afraid of the concepts in the following passages but you are not one of them. Yes, there are people who don’t want to do more. They are afraid of having big goals. They are afraid of stepping away from the herd of average and out of the comfort of mediocrity. But that’s not you. You are the one I know who will receive this message in its entirety because you are destined for greatness. And so you shall be.

Well, here we go now……. to the best advice you’ll ever receive. It is actually about the best advice I ever got. And that’s what I’d love to share with you. This advice was in fact written on fancy paper in calligraphy script and set in a beautiful frame with gold inlays. It was displayed in a shop window where I returned the following day with pen and paper and copied it word for word because I couldn’t afford to buy it at that time. The words seemed to leap out from the frame and went straight to my brain. I’ve never heard or read such profound words like this ever before. Its profound principles subliminally shaped and re-defined my core being and became the standard by which I determined to live my life by.

Desiderata. Latin for "Desired Things“, was found in St Paul Cathedral in 1692 and was later copyrighted in 1927 by a poet and lawyer from Indiana Max Ehrman. I have memorized it word for word and carried it with me in my mind ever since I was in my youth. One thing I do know that its many facets have guided me, personally and professionally, throughout my entire life.I repeated the words without thinking, unconcerned by their meaning. But with time and a whole lot of perspective, I know these simple truths helped me form the fabric of my leadership, inspiring me and reminding me of my place and my purpose. Whatever its history, I am so honored to share it with you and hope these words may impact your life, as it has mine.

The Desiderata

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 the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive 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 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 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. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.