Many years ago, I was introduced to a piece of poetry called Desiderata. Now, it is not a poem in the way we were taught poetry at school. It does not have stanzas and does not rhyme in any way. I heard it described as a prose poem, which is perhaps more accurate. The term, or word, Desiderata is a noun, indicating something that is needed, or wanted. The theme of the poem (Agreed? We will refer to it as a poem?) is to encourage the reader to follow an authentic lifestyle. It tells you to love yourself, to be true to yourself. To act dignified, yet self-assertive, but without being disrespectful.

The person who passed this on to me had a way of conjuring a parallel world, one where things are more glamourous, more sacred, more intense, and more of everything that the usual person does not readily experience. Oh, Person gushed. This writing was found in an ancient cave. It is believed to have been written by a recluse monk, or a stray alien, or whatever this person could dream up next. For a very short while, I did believe the story, but as the profound words found their way into my daily actions, I realized that no way could such wisdom lie undiscovered in a cave, just waiting to be found by a mountaineer, or a cave explorer. You know? Like those ancient discoveries that were always made by a Sheppard or an Alchemist.

No. This poem was written in 1927, by Max Ehrman. In his own world, he was just a small cog in a big wheel, just another brick in the wall. However, often, it is exactly the ordinary people out there who leave us the best wisdom. Wisdom that ordinary people, like me, can relate to, and claim for a road map along their own way. I am so glad he did, and that I could.

For some time now, Colin and I have been trying to plan our next steps. With the main bit of the house now, uhm, what can I say? taking shape? it was time to plan the next phase. We both knew what we had to do, but just could not settle our minds on how to get there. And then, Life stepped in, and the Universe spoke. One of our contractors had moved onto a next stage which we had not quite asked for. What to do?, we asked each other. It cannot just be dismantled, there are consequences for doing so. Of course, a bit of panic set in. I mean, we are talking about a big step. Then it hit me like a papyrus scroll from a Dead Sea Cave found by chance by a wayward Astronaut: the Universe has spoken. The decision has been made for us, and it is not up to us to doubt that a Greater Hand has come along and helped us. Sometimes, one must just listen and accept. This is one of those moments. I could see the question in Colin’s eyes? How will we pay for it? And this is where I need to go forward in faith. If the universe has ordained it, then the universe will provide. As much as this may sound slightly hocus-pocus to you, I, on the other hand, have learnt: Listen, and you will be spoken to. It has happened too often for me to ignore. Oh, gosh. Move along, before you lose your audience, the Universe just nudged me. OK. Moving along.

Have I told you lately that I live in a village where people actually help you, when you ask for it? I put word out last week that I am looking for rose petals to dry. We have a wedding coming up, remember, and traditional confetti has been replaced with latest ideas, such as dried and fragranced rose petals. I did not have to ask twice. I have been getting petals from all sources. Today I came home with a fantastic bunch of roses in a vase. The owner of the roses was gifted them and passed the entire vase on to me (with a reminder to return her vase, of course!). You may as well enjoy the roses, until such time they die and then you can pick the petals for drying. I have placed them in our bedroom. Tomorrow morning, I will wake up to the sight, and I hope scent of them. I guess there is a lesson here. Ask, and it will be given to you.

Desiderata concludes with a reminder that we need to strive to be happy. Just as this poem was introduced to me and had such an impact on my life, I too passed it on recently. I do hope that the recipient will read it, meditate the words, and strive to learn from them. We cannot always change our experiences, but we can gain from them. We can believe that the best is yet to be.

The dining room table is all but covered in rose petals.

All I had to do was ask.

And then trust that the Universe will respond, it is up to me to listen.