Desiderata 2

Another quote from the Desiderata, my guide for this lifetime. 

"As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons."

Trying ... to find compromise, to be the willow instead of the oak, to give some quarter,  to accept or celebrate differences... these things help us get along with others.  And living in peace together is paramount to our happiness.  However, for me the key to this quote is "without surrender".  We can give a little to get a little; but we can't surrender what we know to be clear and right and true!

Being on good terms with friends is easy.  But, for those who would do you harm, those whose ideas and values you do not share, those who seek to control the people around them - being on good terms  is a real challenge!  For those people, we have to take a step back and decide just how much compromise we are willing to make.  How much is too much?  When we stand up for our values, we sometimes  do so at the expense of  "being on good terms" with someone.  Uncomfortable?   You bet!  But how can we do otherwise and still retain our self respect?

The other thing I like about this quote is "all persons".  Every person is important, even if you don't like him/her.  Someone once told me that the best measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do nothing to help them.  It's one thing to be kind to the boss; but how you treat the busboy, the homeless, the sanitation engineer is even more important and perhaps more reflective of the real you.