Ancient and Modern

stickywicket

It's an old one - a very old one - which I've just re-discovered. I dislike people who chuck religion at others whether they want it or not but....this has a certain something for all of us, religious, irreligious or, as some of us manage to achieve, both.

17th Century Nun’s Prayer

Lord, you know, better than I know myself, that I am growing old and will some day be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it all but you know, Lord, I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details: give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others’ pains but help me to endure them with patience.

I do not ask for improved memory but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the growing works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, Lord, the grace to tell them so.
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I love the last bit. And, personally speaking, the bit out 'occasionally I may be mistaken' rings true - or so Mr SW assures me

7worlds

Hey Sticky. Theres a lot of wisdom in those words.

7Worlds

dreamdaisy

I like that. What calm, thoughtul and wise words. DD

julie47

I enjoyed reading that sticky

thank you

Love Juliepf x

joanlawson

I haven't seen that before, Sticky, and I thought it was excellent advice.

I liker this:
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, Lord, the grace to tell them so.

I'm constantly surprised by the talents of other people. It's so easy to under-estimate how talented people are, and they often don't even realise it themselves. If I discover that someone has a particular talent, I always try to tell them so, and they often respond with surprise that I've noticed.

A friend of mine has a talent for doing very large and complicated jigsaws, something I have never got the patience for. When I told her how much I admire her talent, she was astonished because no-one had ever told her that before. Most people have many talents which go un-noticed, so it's nice to acknowledge them.

LignumVitae

Love it, fantastic! Is it really 17th century?! Thank you Sticky. Love LV xx

dreamdaisy

They are wonderful words are they not? Earlier today I found one of my favourite greetings cards - it's along a similar theme but it is, alas, downstairs and I'm not so I'll post a part of it tomorrow under the heading of 'Ancient and Modern Part Two'. DD