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Things We Desire: The Desiderata Turns One Hundred
Paperback
Publisher Price: $14.99
Publisher: River Press
Published: Nov 3 2025
Pages: 150
Weight: 0.46
Height: 0.35 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Overview:
Marking the centennial of Max Ehrmann's beloved 1927 poem, Things We Desire expands the timeless wisdom of the Desiderata into a modern, practical guide for living well. This beautifully structured volume parses the poem into30 standalone chapters-each devoted to one of life's most essential themes (belonging, purpose, calm, resilience, and more). Within every chapter, you'll find:
- A concise narrative that unpacks the theme's deeper meaning
- Three to five actionable practices designed to bring the concept into daily life
- Journaling space to capture personal insights, set intentions, and track growth
Who It's For:
- Lifelong learners craving continual growth and self-discovery
- Seekers of timeless wisdom who appreciate bite-sized reflections they can return to again and again
- Givers of meaningful gifts, from milestone celebrants to colleagues in need of encouragement
Why You'll Love It:
- Open Anywhere, Read Everywhere: Each chapter stands on its own-perfect for quick inspiration on a busy morning or deeper reflection before sleep.
- Practical & Inspiring: Elegant, heart-speaking prose invites quiet contemplation and sparks real-world change.
- Free Bonus Assessment: Every copy includes complimentary access to The River Career & Life Assessment(TM), Tony Thelen's signature tool for measuring and maximizing your fulfillment across career and life.
By weaving universal truths about compassion, hope, and inner peace, Things We Desire offers an enduring companion for anyone seeking to not just live life, but to live it to its fullest potential. Whether you're looking for personal inspiration or a gift that truly resonates, this centennial tribute to the Desiderata will guide you through life's twists and turns with grace and purpose.
Tony Thelen reminds us that true growth isn't about chasing everything-it's about focusing on what we truly desire.
Dr. Marshall Goldsmith
Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There.
Around the turn of the seventh decade of the last century, a time of violence and of disorienting change, a calming list of advisories called Desiderata went viral by the standards of the day. Posted, reprinted, and occasionally parodied, it was everywhere, and readers were divided on whether it was profound or kitsch. More than half a century later, in a new era of anxiety and confusion, Tony Thelen tells the story behind this cultural icon, and invites us to savor its wisdom and serenity.
Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology
Harvard University, and the author of Enlightenment Now and Rationality
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