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#9 Wednesday Words: “If”

posted in: On My Mind 3
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Greetings. Welcome to Wednesday Words again. I hope you’re enjoying this new series carrying inspirational, motivational, educational and sometimes humorous quips and quotes to your email Inbox.

Just so you know, I curate these with a broad audience in mind. Like all my posts, they are FREE and are stored at my website, https://charleneedge.com under the Blog link.

If only …

Today, consider the first stanza of one of my favorite poems, “If—,” by Rudyard Kipling. You may know that it’s intended as advice for boys about growing up, but hey, no matter our gender or age, we can all gain from the poem’s wisdom.

One aspect of the poem that I like is how it nudges the reader towards more self-control. Isn’t that a key feature of adulthood? More than a few times, Kipling’s words have saved me from my own impatience, impetuousness, and impoliteness.

First stanza of “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:
The Poetry Foundation on “If”

Read and savor the entire poem here: If— | The Poetry Foundation

Join me in listening to the great actor Michael Crane recite the poem here: If by Rudyard Kipling – Read by Sir Michael Caine – YouTube.

Thanks for reading!

Best wishes from your writer on the wing,

Charlene

P. S. – My books are in paperback and ebook at major booksellers. Indie bookstores and libraries can order them, too.

 

3 Responses

  1. Nylda Dieppa
    |

    On this dark day, this is encouraging counsel. if only I can stay focused on it… 💔

  2. Kathleen Brandt
    |

    Yes, Nylda, I know just what you mean!

  3. Steve Muratore
    |

    A lovely post for many people today. 🦉✊🌵

Comments are closed.