If...

[Oliver]

Rudyard Kipling

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 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 wornout 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 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!

[mudra]

Thank You Oliver.
Very wise words. I believe Rudyard Kipling understood the Tao ..

When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.

Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn't possess,
acts but doesn't expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.

Lao-tzu

Love from me
mudra

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by mudra

Thank You Oliver.
Very wise words. I believe Rudyard Kipling understood the Tao ..

When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.

Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn't possess,
acts but doesn't expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.

Lao-tzu

Love from me
mudra

Ah...Lao-Tao!

[whitefluffy]

WOOF WOOF Oliver!
Seriously though,
Strange synchronicity, i was thinking of this poem just last night.
IF is one of my favourite poems,
i especially like to remind myself, "if you can keep your head .....
Another poem i find to be inspirational which is perenially appropriate:


Desiderata




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.

Max Ehrmann (1920s)

[Oliver]

Hey, Whitefluffy, this an example how cats and dogs can have common interests

Thank you for the contribution. Kipling`s poem taught me to love humans and to believe their potentials.

The poem you posted is also great, with wise insights about the people`s dignity. Like it very much.


Love&Respect

[rhythm]

Lovery Oliver

i just change it from head to heart

thats all ....thats me i guess

thank you rhythmmmm ....

[whitefluffy]

thankyou , oliver pussycat, you're a true cherry blossom!

[Firstlook]

Originally Posted by Oliver

Rudyard Kipling

If



If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;

I like this line very much. Thankyou.


peace

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by rhythm

Lovery Oliver

i just change it from head to heart

thats all ....thats me i guess

thank you rhythmmmm ....

Thats you

[mudra]

I see you people are having fun here .
Where Hearts meet Sun is shining .
Great thread Oliver

Love from me
mudra

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by whitefluffy

thankyou , oliver pussycat, you're a true cherry blossom!

[Fredkc]

Ok then....

I've been nice so far. Really, I have.

But it's WhiteFluffy's fault. Coulda gone all day without posting Desiderata.

But since ya dunnit, I am forced to reply with the National Lampoon version:

Deteriorata

• Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
• Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
• Rotate your tires.
• Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself, and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. (or even reptiles! -fred)
• Know what to kiss, and when.
• Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
• Wherever possible, put people on hold.
• Be comforted, that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.
• Remember the Pueblo.
• Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
• Know yourself.
• If you need help, call the F.B.I.
• Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you; that lemon on your left, for instance.
• Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls will scarcely get your feet wet.
• Fall not in love therefore; it will stick to your face.
• Gracefully surrender the things of youth; birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan.
• And let not the sand of time get into your lunch.
• Hire people with hooks.
• For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Kandi.
• Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
• And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.
• You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. And whether you can hear it or not, the universe is laughing behind your back.
• Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you conceive him to be -- hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate... Give up!

Fred ... giving free reign to his rampant inner child

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by Fredkc

Ok then....

I've been nice so far. Really, I have.

But it's WhiteFluffy's fault. Coulda gone all day without posting Desiderata.

But since ya dunnit, I am forced to reply with the National Lampoon version:

Deteriorata

• Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
• Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep.
• Rotate your tires.
• Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself, and heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. (or even reptiles! -fred)
• Know what to kiss, and when.
• Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do.
• Wherever possible, put people on hold.
• Be comforted, that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, there is always a big future in computer maintenance.
• Remember the Pueblo.
• Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate.
• Know yourself.
• If you need help, call the F.B.I.
• Exercise caution in your daily affairs, especially with those persons closest to you; that lemon on your left, for instance.
• Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls will scarcely get your feet wet.
• Fall not in love therefore; it will stick to your face.
• Gracefully surrender the things of youth; birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan.
• And let not the sand of time get into your lunch.
• Hire people with hooks.
• For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Kandi.
• Take heart in the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese.
• And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot, it could only be worse in Milwaukee.
• You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. And whether you can hear it or not, the universe is laughing behind your back.
• Therefore, make peace with your god, whatever you conceive him to be -- hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, the world continues to deteriorate... Give up!

Fred ... giving free reign to his rampant inner child

[Oliver]

[whitefluffy]

dear fred,



i just lerv the desiderata, and IF. your version extemely funny. ever heard "ascent of the Matterhorn"?




!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
luv ya guys, more poems?

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by whitefluffy

poor oliver, love that pussycat and his/her cherryblossom, cant help myself, sorry.

And why "poor oliver", if I may ask?

[whitefluffy]

Originally Posted by Oliver

And why "poor oliver", if I may ask?

dear oliver,
.. was in no way meant to offend

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by whitefluffy

dear oliver,
.. was in no way meant to offend

It`s OK, Fluffy. Nobody offended.

Enjoy.

[Oliver]

Another "IF"...by Pink Floyd this time...



IF

If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late.
And if I were a good man,
I'd talk with you
More often than I do.

If I were to sleep, I could dream.
If I were afraid, I could hide.
If I go insane, please don't put
Your wires in my brain.

If I were the moon, I'd be cool.
If I were a rule, I would bend.
If I were a good man, I'd understand
The spaces between friends.

If I were alone, I would cry.
And if I were with you, I'd be home and dry.
And if I go insane,
Will you still let me join in with the game?

If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late again.
If I were a good man,
I'd talk with you
More often than I do.

[whitefluffy]

oliver,

Oh how lovely! I just listened to "IF" by john lennon above. I have never heard it before. Thankyou so much for posting this. Feeling very peaceful now, anger all gone. It worked!

Actually, i must say that this thread, oliver, is imho, the most peaceful place at Avalon. It really is nice to see my favourite pieces of poetry here. I am glad that other people like them too. I know that sounds cheesy, but its true and needs saying. Its kinda like a place to get away form it all, if that so pleases!

I am trying to find "Ascent of the Matterhorn". I had always believed it to be a poem, but i think its actually a book. There's an exercept from it that i was required to read b4 a group of fellow students at an outward bound camp as school girl, the memory of it was strong because of the acute embarassment. Anyway, i liked what i read, it started:

Climb if you will,
but remember ? something
and something
is nought without prudence?


See, i don't remember much, lol
have done google/ scroogle, but not getting far?

Any suggestions?

[Oliver]

Thanks, whitefluffy.
I am not succeeding to find the book you have mentioned.
Try again.
Greetings