IF

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 on one turn of pitch-and-toss
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe 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

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I remember memorising this poem as a young adult (I was really into poetry, wearing black and perfecting my broody expression hahaha)...  I loved it, I still do. I have always thought it was a lovely poem, full of good advice, that I would one day pass along to my son.

 

I haven't thought about it since Elijah was born until today, and as I was printing it out for him, I though I would share it with you all :)