The Experience Project

or experienceproject.com

This website is singularly devoted to the anonymous sharing of experiences. It provides an interactive online community for people to post their own feelings, thoughts, stories, and challenges for each other. The founder of the site, Armen Bjerkely, originally created the site as a resource for multiple sclerosis patients, inspired by his friend's diagnosis. Since then, the site as grown massively to incorporate 3,442,520 personal experiences (it's true-- the site has a counter!) divided into over 24 categories, which include Food, Sports, Relationships, Health, Pets, Food, Activism and many others. The site gives people the opportunity to anonymously make confessions (like PostSecret), challenge themselves to quit smoking or exercise more, share information about their health struggles, or just express their enthusiasm about cats.

The "about" section of the site has some bullet-pointed items that effectively sum up the principles of the site better than I can:

• Everyone has experiences to share.
• People are a product of all of their experiences.
• The more experiences we share with one another, the deeper the understanding between us.
• Everyone faces situations where talking with people who "just get it" can be incredibly powerful.

I strongly agree with all of these statements. In fact, these bullet points very effectively support what I have sought in my own approach to my art thesis. I think it is of vital importance for people to share the wisdom of their experiences, and also for others benefit from them by trying to relate more deeply. Talking to someone who "gets it" is indeed incredibly powerful, and I think the participatory aspect of this site makes it much easier to achieve. I hope that I will succeed myself in this respect.

A Horse Is Not a Metaphor

A Horse is Not a Metaphor

by Barbara Hammer

This is a great example of an artist trying to communicate about their own experience with cancer. The images are striking, Hammer exposes her naked self in the fetal position, highlighting her vulnerability and her feelings of desperation and loneliness. The music in the background is haunting and emotional, hinting at the pervasive sense of fear that is characteristic of the cancer experience.

I admire and respect the artist for sharing her experience using her art. I can certainly connect with it on an emotional level. That being said, this approach to the subject is a bit too depressing to me, and contrasts sharply with my own views on subjective positivity and humor. The aesthetic of this piece is very upsetting and disturbing, and if that is the intention then I can't argue with that. However, for me, part of the reason I want to communicate about this topic is not only to make people aware of the reality and severity of the issue, but to also bring to light the hopeful and positive aspects that do exist. I think this work fails to express this side of the experience, and so I think it only succeeds in showing a portion of what the experience may feel like.

John Huck photography

Breakfast & Couples
by John Huck

There is definitely something powerful about these two photography series by John Huck. There is a simplicity in the approach-- faces, point-blank, looking directly into your eyes; not aggresively, just connecting with you by breaking the fourth wall. There's a very "eyes as a window to the soul" quality to the photographs, each person has their own imagined personality, an apparent mood, and you get the impression that you get to know these people, just a little. It may or may not be a false impression, but it is compelling nonetheless.



The "Breakfast" series does something really interesting by having you connect with these faces on a second level, by sharing a birds-eye perspective of what they had for breakfast. I never thought of breakfast as an intimate moment, but in many ways it is; you usually spend it in quiet reflection, it often requires careful preparation and is crafted to meet your cultural and nutritional preferences. And when it doesn't, that too reflects your personality, as in the case where breakfast simply equals coffee. Breakfast is also often eaten alone, unless with a spouse (and in those cases he did indeed portray both partners and breakfasts together, further referencing the intimacy).

The "Couples" series does less for me, conceptually, although the photographs are very striking when viewed as a full series in the gallery. I just feel that it lacks the comparative depth of the "Breakfast" series, which in itself is not particularly profound. There is definitely a beautiful quality of sincerity and emotion here, but ultimately, the message is "these are couples" or "these are people and this is what they eat". I may be off the mark with this interpretation, but this is not for lack of trying; Huck does not offer any statements on his web site. And then again, not all art has to have a point. For myself, I prefer to enjoy artwork with multiple layers of meaning. Still, for directness and clarity of purpose this project does not waver from its goal. I think this is a intriguing foray into sharing a brief, personal glimpse into the lives of individuals you will probably never meet.

Fighting Cancer With Facebook

by Christ Berdik
[an article from the Fall 2008 issue of Bostonia, BU's alumni magazine]

The article is about Eric Ding, a high school athlete who was diagnosed with a malignant chest tumor and 5 years to live. Ding survived his battle with cancer and went on to devote himself to medicine, earning dual doctorates from Harvard by 24 years old. Almost equally important, Ding devotes himself to cancer advocacy, creating a "cause" on Facebook to raise money and spread reliable information about cancer risk factors. In one week, he attracted 10,000 members, and a million in a month. He has since gone on to launch a cancer research foundation called "The O Campaign".

This is a great success story of someone who not only conquered the disease, but took advantage of his survivorship to contribute something positive to the world. I can relate to this experience of survivorship; the heightened desire to help eradicate the problem of cancer. There is also the emotional, more individual perspective; remembering the difficulty of going through it, and wanting to spare anyone else from having to go through it themselves-- that's where the importance of awareness and preventative cancer screenings come into play. As a survivor myself, I feel that I've been given a unique chance (and responsibility) to do what I can. I may not be a doctor or a scientist, but if my weapon is art, then that is what I will use.

Modern Living/Neurotica

Modern Living/ Neurotica
by Han Hoogerbrugge



Someone introduced me to this animation series, and I immediately loved it. According to BIS Publishers, who published a book and DVD on Hoogerbrugge's work, this series is "about a man - Hoogerbrugge’s alter ego - who is struggling with the trappings and everyday inconveniences of modern life." I'm not entirely sure that's what I get from the work, but my interest is in the masterfulness in the craftsmanship. Modern Living is composed of 99 short animations, varying in length, style, and interactivity. Some have a clear message, others are more abstract. They often involve a visual gag or a certain amount of commitment from the viewer, to "find" the hidden message or to search the screen for secret buttons. It becomes highly addictive to watch, quickly consuming each little animation and move on to the next one.

This work appeals to me less for its concept and more for its formal elements. As a student of animation, I am always interested to see how it can be utilized beyond traditional storytelling, and I think this is a great example. Hoogerbrugge's shorts seem like miniature experiments, each is unique yet easily consumed, like potato chips that you can't stop eating. I also admire the work for its interactivity, it literally demands for get involved and become a participant in the work, always leaving you wanting more. I definitely want to utilize these two elements (animation and interactivity) in my approach to my thesis project.

Sister Mary Corita @ Zach Feuer Gallery Review

Zach Feuer Gallery

I needed a break from painting and sculpture, so when I heard about the Sister Corita design exhibit, I happily sought out the Zach Feuer Gallery.

I wasn't familiar with the artist, but reading a bit about her was very enlightening. Sister Corita is described as a nun, a teacher, and a pop artist. Right away, "pop artist" and "nun" are two words that don't seem to fit in the same sentence. I was shocked to discover that a nun born in 1918 could produce such vibrant, powerful, and unconventional work. One can hardly refer to her work as subtle, given the neon colors and bold text, but there is a kind of wit in her approach to religious art. Rather than stodgy, conventional religious painting, she utilizes typography, color, and appropriation as an expression of her faith and ideals.



I was most drawn to her typographic work, which mostly depicted quotes and passages from the bible, using many different hand-lettered type forms. I admire the power and potential of quotes, I have always seen them as art objects than can stand alone rather than a just collection of words and letters and occasionally wisdom. Sister Corita used quotes from many sources, some of which included Psalms, song lyrics (Jefferson Airplane, Simon & Garfunkel), and individuals like Mark Kent and Albert Camus. The latter had a quote which came up in several of her works, "I should like to be able to love my country and stil love justice". What is wonderful about Corita is her experimentation-- seeing her multiple approaches to depicting this quote almost felt like being in a undergrad design crit.

Her use of appropriation is particularly clever (and funny!) in her piece "Wonder Bread", as she poaches the logo of a popular bread as a way of referencing the miracle (or "wonder") of the Catholic Eucharist; the breaking of the bread in the last Supper. I could be wrong, but I don't feel like many artists are comfortable with sharing their religious convictions these days; it's become somewhat taboo. Seeing Corita take the opportunity to use her unique artistic skills to celebrate her faith with bright, modern colors and a pop-culture references feels more like genuine celebration than the usual depressing, sanctimonious religious art one usually encounters. I'm reminded of a comedy sketch by Eddie Izzard in which he makes fun of the passionless, drone-ish Catholic style of "celebrating" Mass.

"All those sort of Christian religions, which is mainly Caucasian white people... with enough power and money to make Solomon blush. They're the only groups of people that could sing, "Hallelujah" without feeling like it's a "Hallelujah!"

Sister Mary's artwork definitely does not fall into this trap. I really enjoyed the exhibit and it definitely had an impact on me. In regard to my own work. I believe that positivity, humor, and levity can have the unique power to transform or resuscitate a timesome subject. Mary's methods were a refreshing affirmation that design can be powerful, and can be used to express conviction without being preachy. It is possible to create assertive design that is still profound, welcoming, and dare I say... fun?

www.2bme.org

www.2bme.org

This website was recognized at the Interactive Design Annual 8 out of 2,000 other entries. It's a Flash-animated website for teens with cancer that offers helpful, non-preachy advice in a way that feels hip and approachable. It avoids giving medical advice or the dreaded "survival statistics" that could emotionally cripple any cancer teen, let alone adult. Instead, it approaches the simple, basic problems and insecurities that teenagers might be grappling with in the wake of their diagnosis. Things like how to turn baldness into a fashion statement, nutrition suggestions and tips about how to help your friends understand what you're going through. Visually and conceptually, it's a great resource with the right vibe for the target audience-- and a valuable opportunity for new technology like Flash animation to serve a greater good.

unremarkable by Ruth Adams

unremarkable
by Ruth Adams

"I decided I had to find a way to document my journey through what I imagined would be the deterioration of my physical and visual health... instead of depicting a devastating decline in health, the images reveal a rebirth. In the early Polaroids I look dead inside—my eyes seem empty, my body already ill from the growing cancer. As the months progressed, the cancer pallor appeared and my hair started to fall out, but my spirit got stronger and stronger and it shows. In the end, I found I had created a body of work that reveals how beautiful and strong the soul is even when fighting for its life."

Ruth's artistic documentation of her cancer, while not "cancertainment" in the usual sense of the word, is poignant and personal. I find it inspiring that without knowing it, she created a work that was the exact opposite of what she intended. Like she says, instead of creating a moving, but depressing piece, she creates something that is uplifting-- a harsh reality, but uplifting nonetheless. I like that she, and many cancer advocates, like to promote the concept that "cancer is not a death sentence". This is the big, scary myth of cancer, and dispelling this myth it would go a long way towards getting people to talk about it, and just maybe preventing a few people from catching it early.

The problem is, for many people, it can be. I'll share a story. In 2005 I was diagnosed with late-stage testicular cancer, which had metastasized to my liver, kidney, lungs, and brain. I had astronomically high tumor markers and I was considered to have a very poor prognosis for survival. Believe me, I've read the statistics, even if my doctor didn't make me well aware of it from the start. During treatment, I met another young man my age, named John. John had the same diagnosis, some oncology team, same medical history, same treatment plan, but his markers were 13 times-- 13 times!-- lower than mine. His prognosis seemed like a no-brainer: chemotherapy, one surgery, and remission in no time flat. Unfortunately, John didn't live to see the next year, while I'm in my 3rd year of survivorship. The simple fact is: there is no rhyme or reason to who gets cancer, and who survives it. It isn't fair. And wrestling with that fact is the hardest part of survivorship. The challenge is to stay realistic, but maintain an attitude not necessarily of positivity, but of resilience.

To quote another survivor, "The reality is, it sucks." The best you can do is to keep living, and tell cancer to go to hell. And above all, share your experience.

A Malignant Melanoma walks into a bar...

A Malignant Melanoma walks into a bar...
by Iva Skoch

The idea of Cancertainment is a topic I'm really interested in. I have mentioned before that when I was sick, having a sense of humor about the situation (difficult as that might seem) helped me cope with my more feelings, and deprive cancer of some of its power over me. I was aware of the the benefits of this approach very early in the experience, when I made a dark joke from my hospital bed that eased the tension and anxiety of the friends and family who were visiting. In order to stay positive, I needed the people around me to be positive, and humor was a tool that could instantly level the emotional playing field. Later, I went on to create Cancer Battle 1 and 2 and a short series of Laughstrong comics, taking this idea a step further. I confess that I felt like I had come up with this approach myself. No one, not even my doctors, informed me about any of the multitude of cancer web sites, blogs, and resources that were out there for young adults. I feel that this is a grossly under-represented cancer demographic, and clearly many 20-30 year olds feel the same, as the emergent culture of Cancertainment continues to grow and develop.

Some really terrific quotes from Ive Skoch's article, all of which I experienced myself, almost exactly as she describes:

• They coined the term "cancertainment" to describe the growing subculture of young cancer patients seeking both more information and a space to indulge in inside jokes
• I Googled 'colon cancer'. Within seconds, I found out that my cancer stage, advanced stage IIIC, gave me a 44 percent chance to survive five years. I swore I would never use the Internet to research colon cancer again. (That promise lasted all of five days)
• I started receiving books, stacks of self-help volumes from well-meaning people. Books claiming that cancer was hate materialized in the body of people who don't love enough. Books promising you can cure cancer by drinking wheat-grass juice. It made me want to throw up, even before my chemotherapy regimen started and I became a vomiting expert. I was too cynical to believe herbal remedies were going to cure me but unwilling to venture onto medical Web sites, where the depressing prognosis stats were lurking, ready to scare the hell out of me."
• Young people want to talk about different issues that the typical cancer patient might consider taboo: How do I have sex with a colostomy bag? How do I masturbate in a hospital? Will I have to choose between chemo and grad school?
• Dr. Jimmie Holland: "For most patients, cancer is the most difficult and frightening experience they have ever encountered... emphasis on positive attitude invalidates people's natural and understandable reactions to a deadly disease. "Many negative, pessimistic people survive cancer, while others who believe positive attitudes will cure it do not. I do not believe for an instant that people whose cancer progresses have a weaker spirit or character than anyone else."

And the best quote of all...

• The Mercury Bar in New York's Hell's Kitchen... cancer patients and survivors below the age of 40 got together in May for a regular happy hour organized by I'm Too Young For This!... The invitation promised the event would attract people "who don't care whether you have one boob, one ball, two ports or even a hyperactive platelet count"

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

I would definitely consider Theodore Giesel, aka Dr. Seuss, as one of my favorite artists. One has to admire his one-of-a-kind illustration style, his sense of imagination and optimism, and his inspiring knack for poetry. His books, although obviously geared toward children, always communicate an important social message beneath their whimsical exterior. The Starbellied Sneetches, about racial equality, The Grinch, about overcoming materialism, Horton Hears a Who, about the dangers of mob mentality and minority oppression ("A person's a person, no matter how small!"), and the ever-popular Oh, The Places You'll Go. My personal favorite is the eco-tale, The Lorax, which brings a very unique emotional quality to its storytelling. The final words leave us with a challenge to improve the world we live in:

And all that the Lorax left here in this mess
was a small pile of rocks, with the one word, "UNLESS."
"But now," says the Once-ler,
"Now that you're here,
the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear.
UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Rube Goldberg sketch

Rube Goldberg's zany "invention" sketches have always appealed to me. When I was younger, I was exposed to these contraptions in cartoons like Tom & Jerry and the Loony Toons. I didn't understand any of the deeper satirical meaning behind the work, but I loved this idea of cause/effect. That an end result could be achieved through small reactions along the way; a door swings open, a ball rolls down, it tips a glass, which fills a scale, which tightens a string, which raises a candle which burns a piece of paper, and so on... until finally we end up with a record player turning on. much to the chagrin of my mom, I used to make my own little contraptions in my kitchen, and again at Ithaca College I built a full-scale tribute to Goldberg. It wasn't until I was older that I realized that his work was social satire, criticizing the industrialization of daily life and the absurd laziness of the modern man. I think if he were still alive he'd have to laugh at some of the time-saving (and time-wasting) inventions we use on a daily basis.

The Big Book of If...

The Big Book of If...
by Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell

A few years ago my friend gave me this book as a gift to help me through a tough time. It's a small square book that contains hundreds of hypothetical questions designed to spark conversation. Simple a concept as it is, I think it's a great idea. The book is elegantly typeset, with four questions on a page, and abundant white space that seems to leave room for ideas. I think the use of the sans-serif for the entire book layout makes for a very refined aesthetic, as if the questions are old and rich with personal history. After a while, the repetition of the word "If" in red on the cover and every subsequent page begins to take on a personality of its own, almost becoming a familiar character. The many, many questions posed by the book are often humorous and always thought-provoking. I have selected a page at random, and here are my answers:



If you were define the word courage by giving an example, how would you do it? Jenn Jennings is a close friend and coworker of my fiancee Allison who has been struggling with cancer her whole life. She beat it when she was a child, but it resurfaced when she was in her mid-twenties, very aggressively. In the 4 years we've known her, she's had many setbacks, some of which would be absolutely debilitating to an average person, both physically and mentally. Yet Jenn always maintains the most positive, optimistic attitude. Of course she has difficult days, but she does not let the disease control or define her. Every single day she can physically manage, she goes to work with a smile on her face and puts in more effort than almost any other teacher in her school. She is truly living with cancer, and if that's not courage, I don't know what is.

If you had to pick the one institution that you have the most faith in, what would you say? Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital. The talented doctors and nurses on staff there labour for a full year to help me fight my disease, and against all odds they succeeded. Aside from that, they are warm, thoughtful, and caring people. I think the folks there can do anything.

If you had to be addicted to one thing, what would it be?
I am addicted to coffee. My whole life I've been very careful and protective of my body, even before it betrayed me in 2005. I've never smoked, I drink responsibly, and I try to be conscious of the foods that I eat. If I'm going to have one vice, it's going to be coffee.

If you could remove the ability to hate from one person in the world today, who would it be?
There's an old friend of mine. Even though we've parted ways, I think she could definitely benefit from letting go of the hate that I know she carries with her to this day.

Shel Silverstein Poems

Like many of my generation, I grew up enjoying the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein. On the right, "Zebra Question" is a humorous poem about looking at things from different perspectives. The boy asks a zebra if he's black with white stripes or white with black stripes. As an artist, I can appreciate this as a technically interesting notion about looking at positive and negative space. The zebra responds, as you can see, by asking similar questions to the boy until it becomes annoying. The point he is making is that it's a mistake to see something as simply black and white. Everything can be viewed in shades of gray, and the different sides of the spectrum can be more alike than you think. I think as an artist it's important to be open-minded and always ask these questions, especially when looking critically at your own art.


"Whatif" is something I think everyone has to deal with at some point or another. The doubts, fears, insecurities and thoughts that sneak into our minds as we're falling asleep can be the hardest part of the day, for some people. I'm a terrible sleeper personally, and I can't help laying in bed at night reflecting on the day I just had, and wondering what will happen in the day to come. As important as it is to reflect, I also think it's essential sometimes to quiet your mind enough to put these worries aside. I think it takes a healthy and fulfilled person to master the Whatifs.

CANCER VIXEN by Marisa Marchetto

Cancer Vixen is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Marisa Marchetto. I was given this book as a gift in 2006 during one of my long stretches of chemotherapy in the hospital. Marchetto, a cartoonist for The New Yorker and Glamour, documents her entire experience coping with her cancer in 211 pages. The book is very personal and detailed, delving into all aspects of her experience: her diagnosis, treatment, emotions, fears, relationships with friends, parents, lover. The illustrations are is vivid and dynamic, and her approach to the book (and dealing with her illness) is to fight fire with humor. For myself, I know that having a sense of humor in the face of such a grave situation was one of the things that really kept me going during my own battle with cancer. Above is a page from her comic in which she shares one of the well-kept secrets of cancer patients: The Cancer Card. Though she did not coin this term herself, Marchetto does a great job of depicting how useful it can be. It's a quintessential example of what many people refer to as "Cancertainment".

Below is another page from her book, in which she describes her initial reaction to being told she has cancer. She compares the feeling to being sucked into a black hole. When I first read it, this page really touched me on a very deep level, because I could relate to that feeling. I flashed back to October 31, 2005. I was 19 years old, studying at Ithaca College, when the doctor told me that I had cancer, and then handed me the phone to call my parents, who at the time were 4 hours away. My mind went black. I can only describe the feeling as an overwhelming and paralyzing fear, and though you can put comprehend is the absolute (though unreasonable) certainty that you are going to die. I was of course wrong, but despite being blessed with health now I will never forget that moment, and I love that Marchetto was able to use her talents to deal with, and share her experience. I am very motivated to do the same with mine.

"Mouth of a Shadow" by Kevin Hearn

Mouth of a Shadow
by Kevin Hearn

Doing what it does so well
I can hear the old church bell
Each day has a number now
It’s singing low

Water soon will turn to steam
Bees are buzzing in my dream
Suddenly the garden seems
So far away

“Don’t give in” they’ll say
There’s nowhere to run anyway
I have decided to stay

And take on the shadow that darkens the day
Take on the mountain that stands in the way
In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the eye of a storm

Winter still defends itself
But one day all this ice will melt
I will take your bony hand
And move along

“Don’t give in” they’ll say
There’s nowhere to run anyway
I have decided to stay

Take on the shadow that darkens the day
Take on the mountain that stands in the way
In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the eye of a storm

In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the mouth of a shadow
In the eye of a storm

Kevin Hearn is the pianist for one of my favorite musical groups, The Barenaked Ladies. I like the band for their versatility and ability to transcend genre, writing dozens of songs that sound completely different from one another. In 1998, Hearn was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, and took a leave of absence from the band to undergo. During this time, he continued writing songs about his experience fighting cancer. By 1999, his cancer was in remission, and he released a solo album called H-Wing (named for his hospital wing).

As a cancer survivor myself, I deeply respect Kevin for having survived and defeated this terrible illness. When I was hospitalized in 2006, aside from the love and support of my family and my fiancee Allison, one of the most important factors that got me through it was my own version of art therapy. Like Kevin, I tried to use my creativity to cope with my illness, confronting many of my doubts and insecurities in my art. Instead of writing music, I made comics and animations that allowed me to confront my illness head-on. Some of these can be seen here and here if you are interested. In the case of the H-Wing Album, I don't actually love the sound of Hearn's music, but his profound lyrics are what touch me. In the above song, "Mouth of a Shadow", he captures the sense of hopelessness and melancholy of fighting this disease, something I can immediately empathize with. Still, he maintains his quiet, but firm conviction when he declares "I have decided to stay." Good for you, Kevin. I'm glad you did.

Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far

http://www.thingsihavelearnedinmylife.com

This website was brought to my attention by Jackie Thaw, when she asked us to contribute to it over the summer. Assignment aside, I think Sagmeister's idea here is brilliant. By and coming up with these mottos, he gives himself a chance to introspect and learn about himself as a person. Then, he takes the opportunity to challenge and develop himself as an artist. Finally, not only does he share his nuggets of wisdom, but creates a forum for others to share theirs, giving others to take part in this rare chance for personal and creative growth. The result is artwork that's dynamic, versatile, compelling, original, and constantly evolving, especially when it comes to the site's interactive element. As a viewer, I find myself returning to the site all the time to see what people are posting, hoping to learn a thing or two. It's very inspiring.

This is one of those great ideas that I can only wish I had imagined myself. I think if I could come up with something like this, I would by glad to do it for the rest of my life.

For my small part, here's my contribution:

You're Never Too Old To Believe In Magic

Thoughts on Calvin & Hobbes

As a young boy growing up, one of my greatest influences was Calvin & Hobbes by the infinitely talented Bill Watterson. By the time Watterson retired in 1995, I had practically memorized every strip he had ever written. Looking back, I think I really identified with the character of Calvin—an introspective and introverted little boy who, despite his best efforts to be good, always got into trouble. When you’re young, being a little different can seem very lonely, and like Calvin I often relied on my imagination to keep my life interesting. This has certainly influenced my development as an artist as well as a person. Watterson was also an insightful writer and many might say philosopher, and it wasn’t until I was older that I appreciated how incredibly sophisticated his vocabulary and jokes were (especially for an 8-year old reader)! In the strips above, Watterson uses his comic medium to create a surprisingly perceptive commentary on the state of the modern art world. Hobbes and Calvin poke fun some of the pretensions that I’ve personally always found a little silly about the way people view art. I am a huge admirer of Bill Watterson and his groundbreaking work as a cartoonist, as a writer, and as an intellectual.

"If-" by Rudyard Kipling

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 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!

-Rudyard Kipling (1910) Rewards and Fairies

I first encountered “If” as a junior in high school. My teacher, Mr. James Foster, made it mandatory for his students to recite this poem verbatim. Of course, at the time it seemed like a hassle and a waste of time, yet all these years later I still remember it word-for-word. I have had years to think about the meaning and intention of Kipling’s words, and they have come to be very important to my life. In some ways, I see this poem as a kind of roadmap for life: almost a checklist for how to be a strong, courteous, resilient, and independent person. I truly believe that if a person can live their life according to these words—and I admit that they may be an impossible ideal—he/she can do just about anything. For my part, I strive to be this kind of man.