Guardians
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
— Max Ehrmann, The Desiderata
How often do we consider protecting our spirit? We use sunscreen on our bodies; limit what our minds encounter through ratings and reviews. But our spirits, delicate and resilient, require a different type of care.
In this verse, Ehrmann instructs us to guard against loud and aggressive people.
Yesterday at Target, a woman was having words with her child. She was several rows away, but her tone was notable. I observed myself becoming more attentive to my surroundings and beckoning my daughter closer. It was a primal response to danger.
Involuntarily, we avoid loud, aggressive strangers, but what about the people in our lives by choice? There are times when we won’t immediately recognize a behavior that threatens our spirit. The behavior may be elusive or inconsistent, creating a sort of intermittent vexation.
Regardless, we get to choose whom we allow in our lives and to what degree or depth of intimacy. The unspoken message that Ehrmann delivers is that we are not the victims of our circumstances. Instead, we are the guardians of our spirits.
Sadly, some people are not present enough to know their own spirits and as a result won’t recognize their obligation. They could even be a loud, aggressive offender. Still others will not feel themselves worthy of the effort necessary to protect themselves.
Make no mistake, we are all worthy.
We, no one else, are the protectors of our deepest creativities and vulnerabilities.
This depth is the very essence of our souls. When we are present to that truth, the idea of allowing anyone or anything troublesome near us is as illogical as allowing a football match to be played in a beloved flower garden. Unthinkable.
In the face of people who challenge your spirit and would have you cower, remember that your spirit is yours. It is a grace, and from it emerge all your greatest gifts. Defend it accordingly.
