On the wall of my home office hangs a poster with the poem “Desiderata.” While I’m not usually one for sappy sentimentality, I do find the advice offered in this poem resonates (no pun intended) with me. Some of the advice is certainly applicable to ham radio:
- “Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.” Ever attended a club meeting or participated in a discussion on an amateur radio mailing list? Need I say more?
- “Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.” Ever been to a hamfest?
- “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” I find myself thinking of this passage often. Recently, there was a discussion on a ham radio mailing list about a guy who’s built eleven towers on his property. If I obsessed about stuff like that, I’d just give up on ham radio.
- “Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own [ham radio] career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.” Do what you can and have fun with it.
- “Be careful.” Remember to be safe when setting up that antenna.
- “Strive to be happy.” If you’re not having fun with ham radio, find another hobby.
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