IF

I love the poem "IF" by Rudyard Kipling.  

"If" a human being can "become" inside the moments that are not in his or her favor, and use those moments instead as the grist to call forth growth, or "refine" ourselves and stretch and develop muscles of grace, then he or she has really touched the essence of their humanity, and taken the opportunity for self development. I also interpret Rudyards poem "IF" as his way of eloquently saying that the world is filled with illusions that will challenge one's integrity, truth, identity, or sense of self. 

The opportunity is to treat these illusions for what they are, and take the lessons and leave the rest. Use Illusions as a means toward development of your spirit and the sanctity of your self.  

[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,

If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling 

Comments

[Penny Cariolo]

This post and poem strikes a deep chord in me because of some of the things going on in my life right now. Thank you for this!

Penny

[Monica Rodgers]

Penny-
Me too. I am so glad that it made a difference in your day.
xo
M