The timeless wisdom of “Desiderata” resonates deeply with those of us on the recovery journey, particularly in times of profound change and challenge. Just as I wrote yesterday about transforming fear into freedom and finding serenity amid political uncertainty, Max Ehrmann’s 1927 prose poem offers a gentle reminder that peace and strength can be found even in life’s most turbulent moments.

A close friend first shared this piece with me in 2017, during the darkest period of my life. While incarcerated, I committed the poem to memory, reciting it quietly each morning in my cell. Yet despite knowing the words by heart, I failed to capture their essence—to truly live them—upon my release. It would take another six years before I could fully embrace and genuinely live the ideals contained within. Each day, I still strive to embody these principles, and in times of distress, I find myself returning to these words for guidance.

Like the “Day Zero” mindset I discussed in my post, “Desiderata” speaks to the daily renewal of spirit and purpose. Written by Max Ehrmann, a lawyer and philosopher from Terre Haute, Indiana, this meditation on living gracefully amid life’s complexities mirrors many core recovery principles – acceptance, surrender, and the quiet cultivation of character through conscious choices.

The poem’s opening line, “Go placidly amid the noise and haste,” particularly echoes our recovery journey’s call to maintain emotional sobriety and inner peace, even when the world around us seems chaotic. Just as I’ve found that nearly a decade of recovery has transformed my response to political events from fear to acceptance, “Desiderata” offers timeless guidance for navigating life’s challenges with dignity and grace.

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.

— Max Ehrmann, 1927

<p>The post Desiderata by Max Ehrmann: “Go placidly amid the noise and haste” first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>

Tonight, as Americans await election results, I’m reminded of a profound truth we learn in recovery rooms: our differences dissolve when we focus on what binds us together. Whether in small church basements or community centers (or in the Great Outdoors), people from all walks of life share their stories – stories that, despite their unique details, ring with familiar themes of struggle, hope, and resilience.

The Universal Language of Recovery

Recovery teaches us that no matter our background, we share fundamental desires: to be heard, to be understood, to build better lives for ourselves and our families, and to leave a positive mark on the world. These aren’t Republican or Democratic aspirations – they’re human ones.

Listening Without Judgment

In our recovery meetings, we practice something remarkable: we listen without judgment. We get curious about each other’s journeys. We discover that the person across the room, whose life may look nothing like our own, carries the same hopes and fears we do. This is the wisdom we need tonight and in the days ahead.

Moving Forward Together

As election results unfold, let’s remember what recovery has taught us – that community heals, that isolation divides, and that we’re far stronger together than apart. Let’s choose to listen more than we speak, to seek understanding rather than victory, and to remember that behind every political position stands a person with dreams not so different from our own.

Building on Common Ground

Our shared humanity runs deeper than any ballot box. Tonight, let’s commit to lifting each other up, just as we do in recovery, knowing that our common ground is far greater than our differences.

<p>The post Our Common Ground: Recovery Wisdom for Election Night Unity first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>

In life, people are often measured by their worst moments, especially when those moments are for all to see online. In order to truly understand someone, we need to look beyond a single, shadowed moment to see the arc of their journey. Lawrence Long’s story is a powerful example of this arc. He isn’t defined by a dark time in his past but by the self-reflection, growth, and service that followed.

A Journey of Transformation

Since Lawrence began taking steps to rebuild his life, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his dedication firsthand. He’s not only moved beyond the struggles of his past but has built a future grounded in sobriety, introspection, service, and meaningful relationships. His commitment to change goes beyond becoming a better father; it’s about becoming a better man.

Lawrence has proven that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to choose strength and commitment. His journey of self-awareness and growth is a powerful example to others who may feel defined by a misstep. He’s shown that real strength is in how we rebuild.

-Jennifer Loree Byrd

He’s invested years in developing emotional resilience and self-awareness, working to understand the patterns that led him down destructive paths. This deeper work, supported by friends, professionals, and community, has transformed him into someone who faces challenges with purpose and strength.

A Loving and Present Father

With nearly 30 years of experience working with children as a coach, teacher, and ropes course facilitator, I’ve seen countless parent-child dynamics, and witnessing Lawrence rebuild his relationship with Julian and Major was uplifting. When his sons visited my home in 2020, his love for them was tangible. They reconnected over art, outdoor adventures, silliness, and quiet conversations that deepened their bond after the years apart.

Despite the challenges of reestablishing a relationship over a short time, Lawrence’s commitment to his sons has only strengthened. Unfortunately, Ms. Long has chosen to keep the boys separated from him since 2020. I only hope he has that chance to reconnect with them again and be an integral part of their lives in their adolescent years.

Protection and Progress

As a mother myself, I deeply understand the instinct to protect one’s child. We make countless decisions with their health and well-being as our guide. In Ms. Long’s case, her choice to cut communication was, I believe, driven by a genuine concern for her sons’ safety, based on Lawrence’s past struggles.

However, while she acted out of caution, I’ve had the privilege of observing Lawrence’s journey firsthand and witnessing the steady, meaningful changes he’s made. Unlike Ms. Long, who knew only the man he once was, I’ve seen his growth in real time. I set boundaries but remained present, watching as Lawrence approached each misstep as an opportunity to learn, showing courage and resilience through the process.

Where some might anticipate the worst, I have come to see a man who has grown into a positive, steady force in his community. 

A Broader Dedication  to Fatherhood

Despite his inability to parent at this time, he’s extended this commitment to fatherhood as part of a team with the Spokane Fatherhood Initiative, where they mentor and train other men in healthy parenting strategies.

Through this role, Lawrence has helped raise funds, developed infrastructure, co-facilitated classes, and built a new class that helps fathers develop healthier relationships in mind, body, and spirit. This has given him opportunities to lead by example and be vulnerable by sharing his own journey.

A Positive Influence and Role Model

Lawrence’s impact reaches beyond his sons and SpoFI—he also became a vital influence in my son Trey’s life. As an adopted child himself, Lawrence understood the nuances of loss and identity and used his experiences to mentor Trey. Lawrence made a deliberate choice to be a stable, supportive figure in his life, teaching him the importance of self-reflection and maturity. Through his actions, he showed Trey that one’s true character is shaped not by isolated mistakes but by the choices we make to move forward.

More Than a Mistake: A Man Committed to Change

Lawrence’s journey isn’t about erasing a mistake or denying a dark time; it’s about proving that a single ugly period in one’s life doesn’t define a person. For those who only saw Lawrence at a difficult time, it’s easy to let that chapter define him. But those who know him now see that difficult period as a single sentence within the arc of his journey.

Lawrence has proven that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to choose strength and commitment. His journey of self-awareness and growth is a powerful example to others who may feel defined by a misstep. 

He’s shown that real strength is in how we rebuild.

About the Author: This personal account was written by a long-time educator and child development professional with nearly 30 years of experience working with families in the Spokane area. Jen Loree Byrd and Lawrence were partners and remain good friends.

Lawrence Long continues his work with the Spokane Fatherhood Initiative and Reclaim Project Recovery, helping other fathers build healthy relationships with their children through education, mentoring, and support programs.

<p>The post Beyond a Dark Time – Embracing the Growth of Lawrence Long, a Man Who Chose Change first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>

<p>The post Seeing the Forest through the Trees first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>

<p>The post I Will Rise first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>

“The purpose of art is not the release of a momentary ejection of adrenalin but is, rather, the gradual, lifelong construction of a state of wonder and serenity.”​ ​

Thanks, Tim, for this idea to ponder.

In today’s culture of instant gratification and relentless productivity, the idea that art’s purpose lies in fostering lifelong wonder and serenity is more relevant than ever. Art provides a necessary counterbalance, urging us to slow down, introspect, and value sustained growth over fleeting success. Let’s emphasize depth and patience in a society that often prioritizes speed and superficiality, a critical element in preserving our capacity for deep appreciation and understanding.

Olafur Eliasson is an Icelandic-Danish artist known for his large-scale installation art and projects in public space, Eliasson’s work often invites the viewer to engage with the artwork over time and interact with it, provoking reflection on perception, the environment, and the human experience.

The exhibit, “Verklighetsmaskiner” (Reality Machines), included an array of installations that invited visitors to interact and engage with the artwork in novel and experiential ways. By using light, water, mirrors, and natural elements, Eliasson created environments that challenged traditional perspectives and provoked a deep sense of reflection about the nature of perception and reality.

His installations often invite the viewer to be a co-creator in the experience, blurring the lines between the observer and the observed. As such, the exhibition embodies the notion of art as a lifelong process of cultivating a state of wonder and serenity, a concept that stands in stark contrast to the culture of instant gratification prevalent today.

Olafur Eliasson: Verklighetsmaskiner (Reality machines), 2015 from Studio Olafur Eliasson on Vimeo.

<p>The post The purpose of art first appeared on nEveresting Recovery.</p>