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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!

by Rudyard Kipling
 
DESIDERATA
– written by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
 
Very nice, I guess I still have a lot of growing to do to meet the standards of “If”:blushing:
 
Jlcastagna said:
Very nice, I guess I still have a lot of growing to do to meet the standards of “If”:blushing:
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And that is why God is God, is God, is God and we are His little children, but never to grow to be God.
 
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Godlovestrength:
And that is why God is God, is God, is God and we are His little children, but never to grow to be God.
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Your post is very puzzling, GLS. How do you equate growing to “be God” with either poem?
 
Joysong said:
Your post is very puzzling, GLS. How do you equate growing to “be God” with either poem?
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I’m sure he/she can speak for him/herself but I think it means that all of us are only growing, and will always be so. If not we would be equal to God. Hopefully I’ll be corrected if I read that wrong.

I found this line in “If” especially difficult for me:

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

I am seldom convinced that I have spoken anything that is objectively “true” unless I’ve quoted the actual words of Jesus. Yet at times I am pretty convinced that I have spoken the message of Jesus and the gospels, only to have it turned on me like I am just dropped out of space somewhere. This seems to be particularly true when discussing actual experiences of God’s mercy with someone who has not yet been blessed to have experienced that and thinks you’re off your meds.

It is at those times when I have to draw on my ability to trust myself when others doubt me, while allowing them to have their doubts, hoping that when the experience comes to them they will recognize it for what it is.

Thanks for posting those Carole. They are beautiful reminders of the people we are called to be.
 
I would also add to those you have here the expanded version of the Serenity Prayer. It’s origins are unclear, but I find it quite inspirational:

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.

The underlined part is a constant reminder to me that I need not try to counsel God on how to run His universe, but simply try to find what my part of His plan I am to fulfill.
 
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ncjohn:
Yet at times I am pretty convinced that I have spoken the message of Jesus and the gospels, only to have it turned on me like I am just dropped out of space somewhere. This seems to be particularly true when discussing actual experiences of God’s mercy with someone who has not yet been blessed to have experienced that and thinks you’re off your meds.

It is at those times when I have to draw on my ability to trust myself when others doubt me, while allowing them to have their doubts, hoping that when the experience comes to them they will recognize it for what it is.
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Bless you for sharing this, John. I have held similar thoughts as I reflect on the many mistruths proclaimed throughout the internet and TV. Fr. Groeschel commented that the media is gravely responsible for much of our problems and will pay a heavy price for what they broadcast. He said the media was the number #1 thorn in his side and he was very angry.

What came to mind as I pondered this mystery of evil prevailing, was God’s infinite mercy and patience in allowing it. I have yet to hear that He came down to defend His truth and tell the persons at fault, “I never said that” … or … “That was not my meaning.”

It is very painful to let go and let God, huh? But I have no doubt He will bring good out of error somehow, some day.

Saturday night, there was a special presentation on the life of St. Catherine LaBoure. I was captivated by the message of Our Blessed Mother who told Catherine, “You will be greatly opposed, but I will help you.” Isn’t that true of many of our saints? I marvel that in the end He always intervenes to make the truth known.
 
ncjohn said:
I think it means that all of us are only growing, and will always be so. If not we would be equal to God. Hopefully I’ll be corrected if I read that wrong.

You are so right, that is exactly what I ment.
There is a song , a blues song that starts with the words “God made man to His own likeness, a little likeness, that is” and this is so right.
In the bible Jesus tells us that we are made to the likeness of God. If we were made exactly to the likeness in every way then there would be No sin, there would be NO death, there would be … know what I mean. This understanding God comes in humbling the flesh which comes from lovinig God.

I wish to learn Humility and it is in loving God that I will learn humility. I cannot learn Love through humility, for humility is my action I wish to become. It is in my littleness that I love, to folly in forgetting myself that I learn God’s greatness every time I see God in others I see God’s love especially in those less able in this world. How little I become each time I see God in others. Even as my heart sees through my eyes the love of God in that blade of grass that feeds a cow, that shelters an ant, that gives a pillow to a cat or other animal. That gives our colouring to our flat areas at home…
If i am able then this will be for me. I know I can because God made me to His own likeness and He loves me in EVERY way.So,I can, I will.
How great is the love of My God. THis builds humility in me for how little I am when I see God in all His imemsity.
Love is all love is for ever.

Godbless.
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I haven’t had time to read all the comments but wanted to add this lovely poem to this thread…

Trees and Man
by Douglas Mallock

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out on the open plain,
And always got it’s share of rain,
Never became the forest king,
But lived and died a scrawny thing.

The man who never had to toil,
To gain and farm his patch of soil.
Who never had to win his share,
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man,
but lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow in ease,
The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees
the farther sky, the greater the length
The more the storm, the more the strength,
by sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In tree and man good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth
We find the patriarchs of both.
and they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
This is the common law of life.
 
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
It’s possible you just don’t understand the gravity of the situation.
 
When trouble comes your soul to try,
You love the friend who just “stands by.”
Perhaps, there’s nothing he can do —
The thing is strictly up to you.

For there are troubles all your own,
And paths the soul must tread alone;
Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load.

But just to know you have a friend
Who will “stand by” until the end,
Whose sympathy through all endures,
Whose warm handclasp is always yours.

It helps, someway, to pull you through,
Although there’s nothing he can do.
And so with fervent heart you cry,
"God bless the friend who just “stands by!”

B. Y. Williams
 
That is quite beautiful Carole, and so true. The friend who will take the time to just “be” with you when things are tough, even though there is nothing they can do, compares in some small way with Mary standing at the foot of the cross.

Watching a friend or loved one suffer is probably the hardest thing we ever have to do. I think that’s why when something tragic happens, everyone gathers around the suffering one. But they tend to quickly disappear after that, especially if there is ongoing suffering, because they fell helpless and inadequate. We don’t seem to be taught how to just be with someone and how important that is, even if we can’t change the circumstances.

I’m slowly coming to that understanding and hope in some small ways that I occasionally provide some much needed comfort to someone who just needs a shoulder to lean on or cry on.

Peace to you,
 
And during the time of a friend’s ordeal, it helps to show friendship with our words and continue our care with our prayers. In stead of silently praying for the friend, it is a comfort for the person to know someone remembers him in his distress.

Lending a shoulder is one of the basics for loving our neighbors. Though we find this basic virtue could be lacking among many, we continue to give comfort instead of seeking it.

And if anyone who always prays without letting the left hand know, sometimes you may consider to tell the friend about your kindness, not for the sake of showing your good deed but for the sake of the friend’s comfort and support.
 
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ncjohn:
The friend who will take the time to just “be” with you when things are tough, even though there is nothing they can do, compares in some small way with Mary standing at the foot of the cross.
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What an absolutely beautiful thought, John! I had not remembered Our Blessed Mother’s pain, and this really is helpful. What I thought about was St. Paul’s words: 2 Tim. 4:16, At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.

The words, May it not be held against them, show the heart of this Saint, and also mirrors the Lord Jesus within him. Until we are in the throes of this extreme pain, we cannot know our virtue (or lack thereof), yet these words point us to the true way.

Night before last, I read about a very comforting incident in St. Teresa of Avila’s Foundations (Ch. 16:4). Teresa entered the room of nun who was dying. “I saw His Majesty at the head of the bed. His arms were partly opened as though He were protecting her; and He said to me that I could be certain He would protect all the nuns in these monasteries and that they should not fear temptation at the hour of death.”

I very seldom read in this book, but chancing upon her words was so timely for my personal problems and I felt very consoled. While it was impossible to eliminate the suffering, I was able to repeat over and over as I fell asleep, Lord Jesus, You ARE my shield!
InLight:
In stead of silently praying for the friend, it is a comfort for the person to know someone remembers him in his distress.
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You are so right, dear friend. If we are able to, we need to make our presence visible. Not a single person’s presence, even if it is only to “be” with them in silence, is ever forgotten. I’m sure you remember every kindness shown to you when your mother died. I was deeply hurt when those whom I counted on the most were not there in my sorrow. Yet, like St. Paul, I ought not to be angry at being abandoned. In many ways, I can bless God for giving me this insight, which can only be learned through the school of sorrow.
 
Joysong, I understand what you are saying.
In life, we go through all kind of hurts and wounds.
That is often due to our expectation. If we don’t expect, we won’t be disappointed.

But as human, we could not help expect, especially to those we think they count.
I remember years ago when I was in college, when my adopted father who was very close to me passed away, the support I received from my CLC group (Christian Life Community, a Catholic group for college students) was overwhelming. I received letters from my friends everyday, while taking care of the funeral and stuff in my home town away from college. Some of them even traveled to where I lived to support me.
At that young age, encountering the death of a loved one, I wouldn’t make it without such heart warming supports. I still thank God for that love.

When my mother passed away in this past September, yes, I did get some support from my church friends. But some of my other friends, who are very dear to me, just did not offer their care as I expected. Do I feel sad? A little bit but not really. I don’t know why. I think I finally learned life is like that. I just cannot put our expectations on others too much.

All I can do is to do my best not to be the one who does not measure up.
 
But as human, we could not help expect, especially to those we think they count.
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One might say you have advanced a great deal in “detachment,” InLight. As in the poem above: IF all men count with you, but none too much . . .

Yes, it is best after having learned this empathy, to be sure we ourselves are not the ones who do not measure up. Our family/friends will learn that lesson themselves some day, and we can excuse them inwardly, “they know not YET what they do.” 🙂
 
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