Wise words – a quote to remember

Regular readers of Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations will be aware that I always have a quote on the editorial page. Recently I found one I was keen to share with our readers, but unfortunately it’s too long to use in MCD, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading it here.

It really resonated with me. Your adult children – as you no doubt already know – are great mirrors for your true self. They’re never shy about reflecting your worst traits straight back at you. Mine are always saying: “Short version, please, Mum.” They’d love to give my speech wings so I’d get to the point.  And I’ve recently caught myself offering advice when none was sought. Sometimes I feel, like the anonymous abbess quoted below, that I also must “say something on every subject and at every opportunity”. 

And we all know there are times, more frequent these days than before, when we’re guilty of discussing our aches and pains as if anyone could – or should – give a damn.

So here goes – The Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess – I hope you like it:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen  

Read more from Peta Stavelli here 

It really resonated with me. Your adult children – as you no doubt already know – are great mirrors for your true self. They’re never shy about reflecting your worst traits straight back at you. Mine are always saying: “Short version, please, Mum.” They’d love to give my speech wings so I’d get to the point.  And I’ve recently caught myself offering advice when none was sought. Sometimes I feel, like the anonymous abbess quoted below, that I also must “say something on every subject and at every opportunity”. 

And we all know there are times, more frequent these days than before, when we’re guilty of discussing our aches and pains as if anyone could – or should – give a damn.

So here goes – The Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess – I hope you like it:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen  

Regular readers of Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations will be aware that I always have a quote on the editorial page.  Recently I found one I was keen to share with our readers, but unfortunately it’s too long to use in MCD, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading it here.

It really resonated with me. Your adult children – as you no doubt already know – are great mirrors for your true self. They’re never shy about reflecting your worst traits straight back at you. Mine are always saying: “Short version, please, Mum.” They’d love to give my speech wings so I’d get to the point.  And I’ve recently caught myself offering advice when none was sought. Sometimes I feel, like the anonymous abbess quoted below, that I also must “say something on every subject and at every opportunity”. 

And we all know there are times, more frequent these days than before, when we’re guilty of discussing our aches and pains as if anyone could – or should – give a damn.

So here goes – The Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess – I hope you like it:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen  Regular readers of Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations will be aware that I always have a quote on the editorial page.  Recently I found one I was keen to share with our readers, but unfortunately it’s too long to use in MCD, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading it here.

It really resonated with me. Your adult children – as you no doubt already know – are great mirrors for your true self. They’re never shy about reflecting your worst traits straight back at you. Mine are always saying: “Short version, please, Mum.” They’d love to give my speech wings so I’d get to the point.  And I’ve recently caught myself offering advice when none was sought. Sometimes I feel, like the anonymous abbess quoted below, that I also must “say something on every subject and at every opportunity”. 

And we all know there are times, more frequent these days than before, when we’re guilty of discussing our aches and pains as if anyone could – or should – give a damn.

So here goes – The Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess – I hope you like it:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen  Regular readers of Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations will be aware that I always have a quote on the editorial page.  Recently I found one I was keen to share with our readers, but unfortunately it’s too long to use in MCD, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading it here.

It really resonated with me. Your adult children – as you no doubt already know – are great mirrors for your true self. They’re never shy about reflecting your worst traits straight back at you. Mine are always saying: “Short version, please, Mum.” They’d love to give my speech wings so I’d get to the point.  And I’ve recently caught myself offering advice when none was sought. Sometimes I feel, like the anonymous abbess quoted below, that I also must “say something on every subject and at every opportunity”. 

And we all know there are times, more frequent these days than before, when we’re guilty of discussing our aches and pains as if anyone could – or should – give a damn.

So here goes – The Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess – I hope you like it:

Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from becoming too talkative, and especially from the unfortunate habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and at every opportunity.

Release me from the idea that I must straighten out other peoples' affairs. With my immense treasure of experience and wisdom, it seems a pity not to let everybody partake of it. But thou knowest, Lord, that in the end I will need a few friends.

Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Grant me the patience to listen to the complaints of others; help me to endure them with charity. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains — they increase with the increasing years and my inclination to recount them is also increasing.

I will not ask thee for improved memory, only for a little more humility and less self-assurance when my own memory doesn't agree with that of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong.

Keep me reasonably gentle. I do not have the ambition to become a saint — it is so hard to live with some of them — but a harsh old person is one of the devil's masterpieces.

Make me sympathetic without being sentimental, helpful but not bossy. Let me discover merits where I had not expected them and talents in people whom I had not thought to possess any. And, Lord, give me the grace to tell them so.

Amen