[Book of Days]

雖說已經滿習慣華碩這樣的加班生活，但是我對於每個月總有兩個禮拜的週末還得工作、而且是
浪費在開無聊的會議這件事，仍然很不滿。

每每和澳洲及美洲的友人聊天，他們總是不敢相信我們竟然可以不分晝夜、連週末都努力的浪費
美好生命。
我到不是真的不滿周末加班這件事本身，而是一個尊重的問題。昨晚主管大力的讚揚ㄧ位義大利裔的
澳洲同事，說他跟其他澳洲白人不一樣，肯加班、肯拼、肯放棄安逸。我也很肯定這樣的努力，有這樣
的同事，我覺得也很被激勵。但，前提是週末上班牽涉到兩個問題，一是這是個人隱私和休假的正當
權利。你情我願的情況下，公司指派我，當然ok，但問題是我看到這來開會的四十個人裡，大概只有
老闆自己是不亦樂乎，其他人表面上參與，內心罵聲不斷。
第二、上帝既然規定了安息日，既然造了白晝和黑夜，就是要人有休息的規律。這是自然的法則，
當我們努力鑽營時，不知不覺就逾越了法則，不知不覺地累積起傷害。我們是那麼習以為常的違反
自然法則，讓生態失衡，以致於連我們自己都要反了！


「當我們在峰頂時，更要謙卑下來看看低谷」
在我得知要當新加坡總部開幕儀式司儀時，內心十分興奮。這是我在行的事，八歲的時候，我就當
了班上的烈對司儀，參加唐詩朗誦；十四歲時，第一次參加國語即席演講比賽，那ㄧ次我緊張的說不出話
來，然而自此以後，所有的英文演講比賽、話劇比賽一路磨練過來；大四那年還特地參加外文系的"public
speech and Deabte " 課程，在嚴厲的美國教授指導下，自然有了許多進步。

開幕完畢，當然，長官和同事都讚賞有佳。但讓我思想起了幾點：
這樣得意的事，好比是海上突起的一道波灡，驚人的伏起後旋即平靜，只是鏡花水月。二者，這究竟是否
就是上帝給我的天賦呢？那個「站在講台上」的天賦？

anyway ，this is a good start to think about the topic
有首好詩與各位分享
Max Ehrmann


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.