Appreciation of" if "poem by stepwise
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To me, "If" by Rudyard Kipling is giving advice about how to get the most out of life.
Each stanza is filled with paradoxes beginning with the word "if". Each if statement appears to be a contradiction at first glance, but take each one apart and you will find a proverb or wise saying: If you keep your head about you, when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. This is not a difficult thing relate to. Most who have lived through middle school have experiences that can speak to this. Each "if" statement clearly presents a challenging balancing act. The first stanza really deals with social challenges, Being nice to others when they aren't being nice back.
The second stanza really focuses on setting goals and having plans but not becoming a slave to them. In this way, if things don't work out as you hope or dream, you can enjoy the journey. If you have ever had a dream and been consumed by it only to have it crash and burn, it is easy to see how that could ruin your outlook on life.
The third stanza focuses on taking risks but not whining about life if it doesn't turn out the way you had hope. The word "perseverance" really resonates to me in this stanza. Sometimes, the only thing one can do is stay positive and "keep on keepin' on". If you do this...well he tells you what happens if you do this in the final two lines.
The last stanza poses one final set of "if's" that focus on staying true to who you are and not letting others influence your character. I especially appreciate the lines
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