On the internet lately there has been a ‘chain-letter’ going around asking for us to share some writing that has been inspirational to us. I always go back to the well-known poem ‘IF’ by Rudyard Kipling. I love its timeless advice on living your own truth, meeting adversity, and just plain being the kind of person we all should be!!  

Over the years I’ve tried to re-write the ending so that it included females, but couldn’t find anything that rhymed with ‘daughter.’ I even wrote my own version of an inspirational poem in 1977 -- and had to use the term ‘man’ to include women too. No matter, these words remind us what strength of character is all about. 

Here is Rudyard Kipling’s world-famous poem -- ‘If ’ and Jonette Crowley’s totally unknown poem -- ‘Pearls of Wisdom; Grains of Sand.’  

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 on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe 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!

Here is a link to “If” read by Michael Caine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drBIhnATwuc

 

'Pearls of Wisdom, Grains of Sand'

by Jonette Crowley, 1977

Pearls of wisdom, grains of sand.
It takes both to make a man.
Sifting grains are naught to hold,
And once grasped take will to mold.

Singly sand gets in the eyes.
It pokes and scrapes and grits and grinds,
Or rubs the skin and scratches tear.
It hides the sun and chokes the air.

Together sand a mountain rise.
But weak in wind, it never lies.
It changes, moves and slips too fast
Through narrow waist of hour glass.

Now pearls, they glisten smooth and fair.
A milky pure, the sand gem’s rare.
A flawless orb, when at its best,
Has adorned many beauties’s breast.

Don’t curse the sand, the seed of pearl,
But hold it close and slowly twirl
And round it liquid satin swirl.
Behold, from sand and time—a pearl.

Though some may say, reject the grain and
take the gem that’s here today,
Take some of both, and take care, not to
Give your sand away.
Pearls of wisdom, grains of sand.
It takes both to make a man.

I found this 'changing sands' photograph from Mui Ne, Vietnam when I was writing this blog.  Since I believe there is no coincidences, I felt that I should add on some information about my next spiritual adventure to Cambodia and Vietnam.  Maybe this blog will reach someone who feels compelled to join us -since that is how the universe works 🙂 

I have been guided to lead a series of 3 journeys with the mission to help lift human consciousness.  'The Spiritual Magic of Cambodia and Vietnam' (Nov. 2–13, with optional 3-day beach extension) is the first stop of a three part spiritual odyssey for humanity.  We invite you to be part of this life-changing journey.

 

"Our focus will be accessing the Spirit in the ancient temples of Angkor Wat— a power place seemingly out of time that calls us forward to explore the truth of humanity and our destiny. The spiritual jewel of Indochina, Angkor Wat is a breathtaking complex built to harmonize earth and stars. We’ll be immersed in the beauty of waterways and rice fields. We’ll hold healing in our hearts for the gentle people who have endured such war and suffering in this magical land. Even Our spiritual mission is both global and deeply spiritual, seeking our own pathway to enlightenment." - Jonette

 

 

About Jonette

Jonette is a spiritual adventurer, and modern-day shaman who leads spiritual tours to power places around the globe. She is a gifted channel, oracle, and author of the internationally best-selling books “The Eagle and the Condor” and “Soul Body Fusion®.” She is founder of the Soul Body Fusion® method for healing and beyond. With her guide “Mark” she teaches people to reach multi-dimensional and quantum states of consciousness. www.JonetteCrowley.com, www.SoulBodyFusion.com