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Permalink Reply by Lucile K. on August 12, 2010 at 1:38pm

Thanks for sharing! David:
The following diabetic version of Desiderata was given to me recently:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
And remember that stress and cortisol may raise your levels.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with health care professionals of all types.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
except to the diet and diabetes police;
they just don’t get it.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to good glycaemic control.

If you compare your HbA1c with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser numbers than your own.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own blood sugar diary, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in following fads and online cures,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is in GI and GL diets;
many persons strive for perfect control,
and everywhere life is full of Joslin medalists.
Be yourself. Especially do not forget your insulin.
Neither be cynical about the bond between fellow sufferers,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the old timers,
remaining optimistic about the future for the young.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you should your retinopathy scan not be perfect.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of looking at the wrong sites on the internet.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
treat yourself from time to time.
You are a person with diabetes
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 your endocrinologist,
however lacking in knowledge you perceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
make sure you have enough test strips.

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

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Permalink Reply by David Hite, PhD on August 12, 2010 at 2:09pm

Hi Lucile,

WonderfuI, it makes it even better! Thanks for adding this. I will share it with my diabetes patients.

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