Some reference books wrongly attribute Max Ehrmann’s “Desiderata” to have been found in1692 in St Paul’s Church. The truth is that Ehrmann, a spiritual writer, wrote the poem in 1927. Ehrmann’s poem is a representation of a philosophy based on self discovery, and this analysis of his poem will revolve around that philosophy. The purpose of this essay is to analyze and explore the central theme of the poem, what the poem has to say about ignorant people, and to relate the poem to my own life.
Basically, a set of general rules to live a positive, happy life have been laid out in the poem “Desiderata.” This poem has all the necessary factors to have a more joyful life. The poem is trying to teach how true happiness can be achieved in life. Ehrmann describes how we must behave in order to become a better person and experience a life full of happiness. “Desiderata” is a poem that encourages us to live a peaceful life. Reading the poem makes us realize that anyone can feel happiness and live life to the fullest.
The poem “Desiderata” tells us to avoid associating ourselves with negativity. The poem tells us that we cannot achieve true happiness if we compare ourselves to our neighbors, nor can we live life to the fullest if we are an ignorant person. If become ego-centric or ignorant we will not listen to the ideas of other people, we will miss out on their ideas, and we will remain blind to the truth of things. As the poem says, we should “listen to others” (Ehrmann).
I agree with the things that have been because I apply them in my life. I strongly believe that we can experience true happiness if we become a positive person. All we need to do not be pessimistic even when things go sour and just find the bright side of things. I feel that the poem is teaching us to avoid getting depressed, that we should simply wait for the happiness that follows adversities. For me, my secret to living a happy life is to use techniques such as the one’s Ehrmann has mentioned in his poem.
Personally, I feel that “Desiderata” is an outstanding piece of poetic work and it mostly causes good feelings to dawn within those who read it. Even though the poem may seem too idealistic, yet most of Ehrmann’s methods to find true happiness in life are agreeable enough. Ehrmann’s poem is really a self-help poem. If the message of the poem had to be concluded in a just a few words, it would be that: “We should appreciate life, no matter how it is.”
Works Cited
Ehrmann, Max. "Desiderata." The Desiderata of Happiness: A Collection of Philosophical Poems. Crown, 1995. Print.
