President's message

Peace. Three centuries new.

Now that our most joyous holiday season i s here may I offer you once again the fol- lowing profoundly beautiful message. You may remember it was printed in the AORN Journal once before and we have had nu- merous requests to reprint it. (Editor's note: The verse was written nearly three centuries ago by an unknown author, and found in St. Paul's Church,-Baltimore, in 1692. It was printed previously in the AORN JOUR- NAL, June 1968.)

Won't you take just a moment from your busy day to s i t quietly and reflect on the great wisdom expressed in lines, written almost three centuries ago, which s t i l l hold great meaning for us today.

My very best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season to each of you.

"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 al l 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 with others, you may become vain and 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; i t i s a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise cau- tion in your business affairs; for the world i s full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life i s full of heroism.

"Be yourself. Especially, do not feign af- fection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it i s perennial as the grass.

"Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress your- self with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a whole- some discipline, be gentle with yourself.

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have CI

right to be here. And whether or not it i s

clear to you, no doubt the universe i s un- folding as it should.

"Therefore be a t peace with God, what- ever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

"With al l i t s sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it i s s t i l l a beautiful world. Be care- ful. Strive to be happy."

-Betty Thomas, RN

December 1970 11