"If"

If you can trust yourself though others doubt you
And Conquer fears that limit what you dare
So you can then enrich the world about you
With skills and talents that are yours to share;

If you enjoy both quiet introspection
And festive times with friends and family,
If you make time for dreaming and reflection
But still find joy in others’ company;

If you can balance dreams with practicality
And deal in facts but never lose ideals,
If you can face the harshness of reality
And find the truths that prejudice conceals;

If you can be courageous when defeated
And humble in the face of victory
Or give your best until a task’s completed,
However difficult that task may be;

If you can be sincere when giving credit
And work at building bridges and not walls
Or strive to reach a prize until you get it,
Yet never fail to help someone who falls…

If you can temper facts with understanding
And manage well the things in your control
And neither be too lax nor too demanding
But keep in mind the worth of every soul;

If you can reach objectives, not begrudging
The patience, time, and effort you impart,
And look at others’ actions without judging
And see not with your eyes but with your heart;

If you can take resources that surround you
And use them in the way you feel is good,
You’ll be successful…and all those around you
Will be the richer for your womanhood.
Barbara Burrow