If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining
and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day
and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones
are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it
when those who love you take it out on you
when something goes wrong through no fault of yours,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentments,
If you can ignore a friend’s limited education
and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend
better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly
that deep in your heart you have no prejudice
against creed, color, religion or politics,
Then, my friend,
you are almost as good
as your Dog.
— Author Unknown
