The Sin of Omission

by: Margaret E. Sangster

It isn't the thing you do, dear,
Its the thing you leave undone
That gives you a bit of a heartache
At setting of the sun.

The tender work forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flowers you did not send, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother's way;
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;

The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle, winning tone
Which you had no time nor thought for
With troubles enough of your own.

Those little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind,
Thoes chances to be angels
Which we poor mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each sad, reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a chill has fallen on faith.

For life is all too short, dear,
And sorrow is all to great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late:
And it isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 own story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
They are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
You may become vain or 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 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 perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
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 labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life
Keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
- Max Ehrmann

Desiderata (in Tagalog)

Humayo ng panatag
Sa gitna ng ingay at pagmamadali,
At tandaang may kapayapaan matatagpuan sa katahimikan.

Hangga't maaari nang walang pagsuko
Makipagkapwa-tao
Bigkasin ang iyong katotohanan nang mahinahon at malinaw
At makinig sa iba, kahit sa mapurol o mangmang
Sila ma'y may kanilang salaysayin. Iwasan ang mga taong
Maingay at magaspang; nakaririndi sila sa diwa.

Kung ihahambing at masamain mo ang loob, pagka't
Laging may hihigit sa iyo at may hihigtan ka.
Masiyahan ka sa iyong mga natamo, gayundin sa iyong mga balak.
Manatiling buhos ang iyong kalooban sa mga gawain, gaano man
Kababa; tunay itong kayamanan sa nagbabagong panahon.

Maging maingat sa pakikipagkalakalan paagka't ang mundo'y
Batbat ng panlilinlang. Subalit huwag hayaang
Makabulag ito sa iyo sa anumang kabutihang mayroon; maraming
Nagpupunyagi para sa mga adhikaing dakila; at sa lahat ng dako
Ang buhay ay lipos ng kabayanihan.

Huwang mangkunwari laluna ng pagmamamahal
Huwag ding talikuran ang pag-ibig, pagka't sa gitna ng
Katigangan at kalungkutan, kailanma'y umuusbong
At nabubuhay itong tulad ng damo.

Maluwag na tanggapin ang payo ng katandaan
Banayad na isuko ang mga bagay ng kumusmusan
Arugain ang tibay ng loob na sasalag sa mga biglaang
Sakuna. Ngunit huwag palulumo sa mga guni-guni
Maraming takot ang dulot ng pagod at kalungkutan
Sa kabila ng malusog na disiplina, maging mabait sa iyong sarili.

Anak ka ng sanlibutan, tulang mga punungkahoy at bituin
May lugar ka rito. At malinaw man sa iyo o hindi, walang
Alinlangang bumukadkad ang daigdig ayon sa nararapat.
Kaya maging panatag ka sa Diyos, anuman ang pagkakilala mo
Sa kanya. At anuman ang iyong mga gawain at mithiin, sa maingay
Na kalituhan ng buhay, panatilihin mong panatag ang iyong kalooban
Sa kabila ng panlilinlang, kawalang-buhay at mga gumuhong pangarap
Maganda pa rin ang mundo.

Salin nina Cora at Rey Casambre