Daily Brain Food.
Thoughts of the day
Though often expressed in a more colloquial manner, it may very well be true that the happiest amongst us are not those who received what they wanted in life, but who learned to want what they received.
Greek poet C.P. Cavafy often wrote about compromise in his work. Despite its negative connotations, there is a certain type of compromise - the kind that does not imply the opposite of greatness - that we can all learn to include more of in our lives.
Indeed, what Cavafy is trying to teach is that we should not fall into the trap of assimilating the smallness and mediocrity of others when things do not go as desired.
As Much as You Can
And if you cannot make your life as you want it,
at least try this
as much as you can: do not disgrace it
in the crowding contact with the world,
in the many movements and all the talk.
Do not disgrace it by taking it,
dragging it around often and exposing it
to the daily folly
of relationships and associations,
till it becomes like an alien burdensome life.
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