Tuesday Reflection
This Tuesday I would like to share with you a most treasured poem. A poem that was written by Rudyard Kipling. It helped guide me through out my life. I read it as a child and it still brings great motivation and inspiration every time I read it to this day.
The poem is called “‘IF” It is a set of rules for ‘grown-up’ living. It contains mottos and maxims for life, and the poem is also a blueprint for personal integrity, behaviour and self-development.“‘IF” is perhaps even more relevant today than when Kipling wrote it, as an ethos and a personal philosophy. Lines from Kipling’s “‘IF” appear over the player’s entrance to Wimbledon’s Center Court – a poignant reflection of the poem’s timeless and inspiring quality.
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!
Have a wonderful week.
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Excellent reminder here. Excellent indeed. I've not heard this in a very long time. We all need to read it often. Then follow these wise words.
Have a terrific day Glenn. Big hug.
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I've never heard this anywhere. Really awesome. I'm with ComedyPlus…..we all need to read this OFTEN
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It's a classic and glad you enjoyed it, I have it in my house and read it when I think I need it, which is daily
Peace within if honesty And listening to the heart is followed.
Great poem – Thanks for sharing.
Thank you my good friend, hope all is well in India
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I have to agree with everyone, that is a great reminder. I am going to copy it so I can read it a lot. I am so glad you put that on here Glenn. And also, I read the tags, and you really are a big tennis fan and so am I. I love to watch the tennis. In fact I got up this morning at 4 AM so I could watch some of the Australian Open. I didn't last long but got to see Blake play some. Unfortunately he lost, darn it all.
But that is a great post, thanks
Glad you enjoy tennis Marg, can't say I am a big fan, but can appreciate any good athlete, especially when they look healthy
.
Good life lessons here – a fine reminder on how we all should approach every day. Perhaps if we remembered this advice more often, we wouldn't find ourselves saying "If only…"
How many "Ifs" do you think of as you grow older Joe? I know mine grow every day.
I agree, this is a great reminder and I am copying it, as well. Thanks Glenn!
Great words to live by John, I am glad you enjoyed it, Peace
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It’s beautiful, Glenn! Thanks for sharing. It’s always nice to be reminded to keep us always grounded.
May you enjoy the rest of the week!
Hi Glenn, never had seen this poem before, but it has a lot of good life lessons and advice. It made me think which is always a good thing, and I appreciate you posting it. Maybe showing your thoughtful and sensitive side is not a bad thing. Thanks.
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Ah, a little Kippling to class the joint up.
Seriously, this is one of my all time favorite poems. Thnx
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Most welcome my friend.
Tis true genuine and common sense my dear friend. A gathering of words worth passing on for sure. I tii am a Kipling fan……
“The silliest woman can manage a clever man; but it needs a clever woman to manage a fool”
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Yes an excellent work to live by. Now I am not sure if i like your quote or the name of your recent post, hmmm that's a HARD one