Life Lesson From Rudyard Kipling
The individual in pursuit of self education (the only education
that'll give you all you ultimately desire), is forever
searching out new materials. We scurry around snatching up books
and articles as Pac Man snatches up energy dots. I, of course,
don't have to tell you about that, because if you're reading
this article you are in the process of an information feeding
frenzy.
I've found that many times we overlook (keeping with the Pac Man
theme) highly valued fruit while devouring lesser valued "dots".
Make a mental note to check out more "classical" writings in
your daily reading routine. You'll be, er, all the wiser for it.
Here's a wonderful place to start. The classic poem "IF" by
Rudyard Kipling. Oddly enough, I've always associated this poem
with Bugs Bunny. (Are you laughing at me??) He gave a recitation
once in an animated interlude.
If you can silence your inner Bugs while reading this beautiful
poem, I'm certain you'll benefit from the words. Read it through
once at a regular pace, then go back and really let the words
sink in.
>>>>>>>"IF"<<<<<<<
by Rudyard Kipling
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 of 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, or 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 imposters 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!