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The poetry 'If' was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1909. As soon as it was published it attracted immediate nation wide attention in Britain, it was also quickly adopted as a popular anthem, and till today it is being used to motivate and inspire many.

The poetry has very thought provoking and deep themes. The poem speaks about the characteristics that are needed to be a truthful and responsible person. It speaks about believing in yourself, and how to accept defeat and failure and then start a new beginning again, without complaining or cribbing about your losses. It also teaches you to become independent, and not be carried away by your dreams or goals. The main motto of the writer is to make the reader more mature after he has read the poem.

The poetry has been written in a very unique style, as the poet has used paradoxical statements to explain each of the topics depicted. For example, 'If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too'. This type of writing provokes thinking, which helps you to develop good habits.

Here are some real life examples that bring to life this poem.

The first stanza tells you to have faith in yourself and that the fruit of patience is always sweet. It also says that other people might interpret you incorrectly but you should not get carried away by them and continue if you are sure you are doing the right thing. The movie, 'Jerry McGuire', with Tom Cruise, is a good specimen to explain this concept. Cruise plans to start a new baseball club in America, but all his friends and peers turn him down. Only one player works with him till the end and later their hard work is clearly visible when they win the match against the champions.

'If you can bear to hear the truth you have 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.' The perfect example to explain this phrase can be the movie, 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. In the movie the protagonist, Edward Montes, is cheated and then falsely imprisoned because of the fake charges on him. Edward doesn't lose hope even though life has given him such a big jerk. He later escapes from the jail and returns as the Count of Monte Cristo with sweet revenge.

The last stanza speaks about maintaining your character in any circumstance that you find yourself in, whether you come in contact with the common man or distinguished kings and when you've had success, not forgetting the steps and hard work that brought you there.

This poem been a constant source of strength and support to me that I have been referring to it whenever I seem to have a problem or face a difficult situation. I have found it extremely inspiring, and endeavour to live my live based on these principles.