After reading the beautiful message left at this GN post:- http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t46438400/a-good-message/

And in order not to hijack that thread.

May I offer these warming words from an amazing gentleman too.

                              The Desiderata of Happiness

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 ignorant; they too have their story. 
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. 
If you compare yourself to others you may become bitter, for always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself. 
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. 
Keep interested in your 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 critical 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 the strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. 
But do not distress yourself with 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 labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusions of life, keep peace with your soul. 
With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world. 
Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.


Thoughts, words and writing by Max Ehrmann1927

As you know that is my "bible" too Dave, great guide to life I reckon  

Mines on the inside door of the toilet so I can read it again from time to time when I'm "contemplating".....

.. a very good post Dave .. might see you up there next year too ..

Jon

The Desiderata is also mounted on the wall in our outside toilet plus we have a framed one in the caravan so it travels with us. They are words that I try to live by.

This is the copy I have:

I remember when it came out on the radio as a spoken word piece by Les Crane.

sucastja wrote:

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Beautiful - I'm sure my parents used to have it on the inside of their toilet door also. Why the toilet door? Maybe so you can sit and ponder :)

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 My reasons are because the toilet is a good escape when we are peed off with someone or something, so can sit there and read it to make you feel better.

I probably wouldn't bother to read it elsewhere, not being a reader at the best of times. 

I'm pretty sure Telly Savalas read it out on a recording as well at some time. 

Vic wrote:

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sucastja wrote:

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Beautiful - I'm sure my parents used to have it on the inside of their toilet door also. Why the toilet door? Maybe so you can sit and ponder :)

---

 My reasons are because the toilet is a good escape when we are peed off with someone or something, so can sit there and read it to make you feel better.

I probably wouldn't bother to read it elsewhere, not being a reader at the best of times. 

I'm pretty sure Telly Savalas read it out on a recording as well at some time. 

---

 The first time I came across those amazing words, they were inscribed on someone's unmarked grave stone back in the late fifties. I was told at the time that the author was buried beneath them. The next time those words appeared to me was in a book titled 'Office Graffiti' which was given to me as a Christmas present in the seventies. It was only in the early nineties, when computers made my research possible, did I discover that the true author of this inspirational work was indeed Max Erhmann.

As to why many folk keep it on the toilet door? Lateral thinking would suggest, that meaningful contemplation is always deeper whilst one is seated, undisturbed, on the throne.

Had a feeling that both you and Jonathan would be the first to add to the thread and nice to see that Rosey, Bob, Hylda and Jon liked it too.

Yes Jonathan, ( and judging by your avatar pic, the grog needs to be moderated some ) we will be winging our way back up north to that splendid site again, mainly because those dulcet tones of yours need to be heard once again, before we set off on the big 360 to go and see Vic and so many other WA treasures over there in the west.

All the work on the bus conversion is now complete and my Queen is rearing to get going, on the big trip she has waited for over a year to do. Looking forward to seeing you all, but until then, have a very happy festive season and may 2012 keep all of you GN's in good health and well-being.

edited for omissions.

Glad you and your Queen are nearly ready, hope you have a good and safe trip,

Happy Travels,

Vic

there was a poem or something hanging on the door of our out door loo
on the farm, something about a bird whistling happy trying to keep warm and
a cow does his thing on him , or was it the bird whistling happly and then the cat found
the bird and ate him, something about keeping your mouth shut.. cant quite remember it ..

03_troopy wrote:

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I remember when it came out on the radio as a spoken word piece by Les Crane.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If anyone wants to "borrow the song' they are welcome to PM me & I may be able to email it to them as I have it on my computer. Of couse, due to copyright laws, you may have to return it after listening to it because we all know people may get upset if we just give songs away as a gift. You could even possibly just copy it onto your computer before returning it just like them olden days when we used to borrow a mate's cassette tape & copy a song we liked onto another tape. After all, the song is over 40 years old & Les Crane died about 3 years ago..RIP.

Cheers

Jon

 

Milo, is this what you were thinking of?

Once upon a time there was a non-conforming sparrow, who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly started to fly south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings, and he fell into a barn yard, and almost froze to death. 

A cow passed by and done what cows do on the little bird. The sparrow thought this was his end. But instead, the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. 

Warm and happy, able to breathe he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by and, hearing the chirping, investigated the sound. The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird and promptly ate him up.

The moral of the story:

1. Everyone who poos on you is not necessarily your enemy.

2. Everyone who gets you out of the poo is not necessarily your friend.

3. If you are warm and happy in a pile of poo  keep your mouth shut.

-- Edited by landy on Sunday 4th of December 2011 10:15:44 AM

Here's the National Lampoon parody of Les Cranes 1971 version.

"Deteriorata" - National Lampoon

You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here.
Deteriorata. Deteriorata.

Go placidly amid the noise and waste,
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
Rotate your tires.
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself,
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys.
Know what to kiss, and when.
Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
Wherever possible, put people on hold.
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment,
and despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.

Remember The Pueblo.
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI.
Exercise caution in your daily affairs,
Especially with those persons closest to you -
That lemon on your left, for instance.
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet.
Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face.
Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan.
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch.
Hire people with hooks.
For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken.
Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot,
It could only be worse in Milwaukee.

You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.

Therefore, make peace with your god,
Whatever you perceive him to be - hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
The world continues to deteriorate.
Give up!

http://youtu.be/Ey6ugTmCYMk

Ha Ha, couple of good ones Troopy and Landy, enjoyed both, thanks