"The greatest danger for most of us
is not that our aim is too high
and we miss it,
but that it is too low
and we reach it."
-Michelangelo
'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 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!
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!
DARE TO BE
When a new day begins,
dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness,
dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice,
dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult,
dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down,
dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope,
dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired,
dare to keep going.
When times are tough,
dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you,
dare to love again.
When someone is hurting,
dare to help them heal.
When another is lost,
dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls,
dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another,
dare to make them smile.
When you feel great,
dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended,
dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
By Steve Maraboli
(Copyright 2000)
dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness,
dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice,
dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult,
dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down,
dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope,
dare to find some.
When you're feeling tired,
dare to keep going.
When times are tough,
dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you,
dare to love again.
When someone is hurting,
dare to help them heal.
When another is lost,
dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls,
dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another,
dare to make them smile.
When you feel great,
dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended,
dare to feel as you've done your best.
Dare to be the best you can -
At all times, Dare to be!
By Steve Maraboli
(Copyright 2000)
How Do You Spend Your Dash?
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars... the house... the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
Than can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
-Linda Ellis
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars... the house... the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
Than can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
-Linda Ellis
Dont Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit -
rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about
when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
it seems to a faint and faltering man;
often the struggler has given up
when he might have captured the victor's cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.
when the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
when the funds are low and the debts are high,
and you want to smile but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit -
rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about
when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
you may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
it seems to a faint and faltering man;
often the struggler has given up
when he might have captured the victor's cup;
and he learned too late when the night came down,
how close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
the silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
and when you never can tell how close you are,
it may be near when it seems afar;
so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
it's when things seem worst, you must not quit.
I Think I can
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you won't
If you like to win, but don't think you can,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, your lost;
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in a state of mind.
For many a game is lost
Before even a play is run,
And many a coward fails
Before even his work has begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you'll fall behind,
Think that you can and you will;
It's all in a state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever take home the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
More often than not, the man who wins
Is the Man who thinks he can.
-Author Unknown
If you think you dare not, you won't
If you like to win, but don't think you can,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, your lost;
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in a state of mind.
For many a game is lost
Before even a play is run,
And many a coward fails
Before even his work has begun.
Think big and your deeds will grow,
Think small and you'll fall behind,
Think that you can and you will;
It's all in a state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise;
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever take home the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
More often than not, the man who wins
Is the Man who thinks he can.
-Author Unknown
My Wage
I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.
-Jessie Belle Rittenhouse
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have paid.
-Jessie Belle Rittenhouse
Agneepath - The path of fire
Again a beautiful poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Agneepath Agneepath Agneepath,
Vriksh ho bhale ghane, ho ghane ho bade,
Ek pat chhav ki mang mat, mang mat,
Agneepath Agneepath Agneepath.
Tu na thakega kabhi, tu na thamega kabhi, tu na mudega kabhi,
Kar shapath, kar shapath, kar shapath,
Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath.
Ye mahaan drishya hai, chal raha manushya hai,
Ashru swed raqt se lathpath, lathpath, lathpath,
Agneepath, Agneepath, Agneepath.
-Harivansh Rai Bachhan
Koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti
A beautiful hindi poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan
-Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Lahron se darkar nauka kabhi paar nahi hoti
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti
nanhi chinti jab dana lekar chalti hai,
chadhti deewaron par sau baar fisalti hai,
manka vishwas ragon me sahas bharta hai,
chadhkar girna, girkar chadhna na akharta hai,
mehnat uski bekar har baar nahi hoti,
mehnat karne walo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,
dubkiyan sindhu me gotakhor lagata hai,
ja ja kar khali haath laut kar ata hai,
mile na sehaj moti gehare pani me,
badhta duuna vishwas is hairani me,
muthi uski khaali har baar nahi hoti,
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,
asaflta ek chunauti hai, sweekar karo,
kya kami reh gayi, dekho aur sudhar karo,
jab tak safal na ho chain ki neend ko tyago tum,
sangharsh ka maidan mat chod kar bhago tum,
kuch kiye bina jai jai kaar nahi hoti,
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti.
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti
nanhi chinti jab dana lekar chalti hai,
chadhti deewaron par sau baar fisalti hai,
manka vishwas ragon me sahas bharta hai,
chadhkar girna, girkar chadhna na akharta hai,
mehnat uski bekar har baar nahi hoti,
mehnat karne walo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,
dubkiyan sindhu me gotakhor lagata hai,
ja ja kar khali haath laut kar ata hai,
mile na sehaj moti gehare pani me,
badhta duuna vishwas is hairani me,
muthi uski khaali har baar nahi hoti,
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,
asaflta ek chunauti hai, sweekar karo,
kya kami reh gayi, dekho aur sudhar karo,
jab tak safal na ho chain ki neend ko tyago tum,
sangharsh ka maidan mat chod kar bhago tum,
kuch kiye bina jai jai kaar nahi hoti,
koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti.
-Harivansh Rai Bachchan
"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't as all. You can be discouraged by failure - or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember that's where you will find success."
-- Thomas J. Watson, Sr.
Madness
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Success is Counted Sweetest
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of Victory
As he defeated - dying -
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
-Emily Dickinson
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost
A Psalm Of Life
(Thanks to Divya for sending this)
---------------------------------------------------
Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solenm main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
---------------------------------------------------
Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solenm main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.
-Unknown
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