Today I start, like every day in my life, to think, being close to the end; there is in me a book of questions and answers. Always one question is hard to ask, what should I be? The music helps my mind and gives me the ability to understand, so this tango that I feel so has given me the measure in my life, in the music. God gave me so much that my wisdom developed a form of questions that are life experiences for me.
What is death? Only a transition, but how to accept it and reason it in another form? The seventh interior man, the last of my personalities, and the perfection of creation, wishes to ask more. . . I know that I cannot nor should I ask for more beyond that which He has so generously given me. Therefore, I know how much He has done for me, and I am always grateful, but it is so difficult for me to leave that which I love, wishing for the merciful excuse to stay around, thinking if I can help myself by asking Him more.
There are times when thoughts blossom; I feel, I relax and become emotional, feel and see … and how many people gave me that what only the soul can give! And it is here where He, with his pious essence, makes me feel that to know and feel a little more is the answer, GIVE. And continue giving makes me distinct, not better, but different and I know that I want to leave it, throughout, enlarge this magic essence, because the magic is in each one of us . . . ours. Some call it astral, others beta energy. Those who believe we are crazy . . . say: “sees more than others.” It is true, to see and to give is the only magic, the only one that has worth . . .
The superior man grieves due to limitations of his knowledge, and if not, because others do not recognize the aptitudes he has . . . Confucius. The facts do not stop to exist because we ignore them.
The factory where the best product is made is the hearth. The hardest to open, in the world, is a closed mind . . . Love does not demand conformity.
Conformist is not to be yourself. To be yourself is to leave the path without end, where things impede us to see. It is to be able and want to do what we should.
And when we should do, and we do, we spend a penny, to be able to have the satisfaction to come back to start and . . . give, and so the Soul smiles at us . . . The force or ability to give is in knowing the right amount and to whom . . . the whys of reasoning, being the results of the one who gives without exact measure, produces in the one who receives the sensation of being somebody exceptional, and there isn’t such a thing. So the exceptional is the one who doesn’t want to be given anything, but knows how to bring the just and the exact moment . . . and with the exact measure or form.
*****
My very loved one ( Felicja, Ewa’s daughter )
I wanted very much to write you. I opted for this form – not email, since these lines, I believe, have more warmth.
I have not given you thank-yous for your attention to me, when you were taking care of me so diligently while being in bed, so sick. I have already written to your brothers, because they have behaved with me giving me their confidence and faith in me for what I feel for your mother … an unique and exceptional human being who deserves love and trust in her for who she is and what she possesses.
I love you, not only for being the children of Ewa, but because each of you is a special being. I thank God, always, because your values grow in the measure of what one necessitates. Always count on me because, as much you as your own brothers, you merit my respect and affection. I know that the place you have given me in your lives is the product of what your heart dictates; to you, my loved child, you have grown so strong inside of you. You will always have my gratitude, respect and fondness until the end of my life. You are strong and deserve the best, so you are the best, and nothing will make you lower in my esteem, in which I hold you, alive and in my heart beat.
Receive my gratitude, and everything I could do for you – count on that. My affection and respect always, Ricardo
*****
Desiderata
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.
Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.
*****
Desiderata Revisited
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be inside the milongas.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Dance your tango quietly and clearly;
and watch for others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their dance.
Avoid showy and aggressive dancers,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser tangueros than yourself.
Enjoy your Piazzola as well as your Canaro.
Keep interested in your own steps, however humble;
They are real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in crowded milongas;
for the world is full of codigos that no one has told you about…
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for good connection;
and everywhere life is full of musicality.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign fantasia.
Neither be cynical about nuevo;
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 tangos are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, and practicing regularly,
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 Tango,
whatever you conceive it to be,
and whatever your musical choices,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
There are still nice dances to be had.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Adapted by tangoreplicantnexus6
RICARDO VIDORT 