“You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. “ - Ehrmann, 1927

Maybe even once in your brain’s lifetime this thought struck your mind out of something or even just because of nothing; that you are only a literal dot (.) in the whole universe…

This thought may seldom or always let you feel small, really small that you loses your self-esteem and confidence to face the giant reality of the world.

But being a dot may seem a negative image for some, a dot is an essential and still an important thing to treasure.  Geometrically speaking, it needs a dot to build a line, it needs a line to build a 2D figure and it needs more than two dimensions to build solids or the 3D figures, so tracing the equation, it needs a dot to build everything. You are still a desideratum!

Desideratum means essential, important, an indispensable thing, that can also be spelled as Y-O-U! Do not be discouraged for being a dot, being a dot also has its own purpose and meaning in the universe that I think people nowadays take for granted. Everyone has to know, that we are all dots in this world, no powerful, no poor, just dots. Even the mighty sun that is 695,700 km in radius, is also only a dot in the universe. Do not ever feel that you are a disgrace in the universe, without YOU, you cannot spell YOUNIVERSE, you have a right to be here!

I know a poem that is one of my faves that I read time by time when I already don’t know how to drive my self anymore, and it always stir my soul when I read it. It is entitled “Desiderata” written by Max Ehrmann in 1927. It’s sad that in his lifetime, his piece was not particularly well-known, it just became a huge hit in the 70′s when someone made a poster of it. This poem is a guide on how to live happily and contently. Among its beautiful words, my favorite is the 6th stanza. This poem has been always an inspiration for me.

Desiderata by Max Erhmann

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 all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the 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;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism. 

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as 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 yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself. 

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. 

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Medium: 

- Simballion Watercolor

- Berkeley Sketch Pad

P.S. Honestly, I had a hard time doing this watercolor hand-lettering just because I ran out of watercolor paper and I used a sketch pad. It’s so hard to control the water and fading of colors because the texture of the sketch paper absorbs the water quickly. Even I know that sketch pad is not really apt for watercolor, that’s a lesson learned, to never use watercolor on sketchpad again, ever! 😁