What If ? – Inspired by Rudyard Kipling

What If? Inspired by Rudyard Kipling

I joined silent prayer hour online earlier this week. And whilst I contemplated, the poem by Rudyard Kipling – ‘If’, popped into my mind. Along with remembering my late father referring to it.

The Inspiration

Here is a taster of said poem.

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim
Extract from ‘If’. The poem first appeared in ‘Rewards and Fairies’ – 1909 by Rudyard Kipling

My Takeaway

As I pondered the poem. The phrase ‘What if’ emerged.

For a fleeting moment, at 7.30am on a Thursday, I thought I had the audacity to write my own poem based on it. Whilst absolutely not claiming any gravitas within proximity to that of Rudyard Kipling.

I managed one line, lost the thread, then thought better of it.

What if?
Was my offering! An infinite list of, hopefully positives, could well emerge over the coming weeks and months!

It’s currently not helping that Classicfm is at this very moment broadcasting very regal sounding tunes. Are you listening, upstart! Oops! Correction, it was the theme tune to Eurovision. Same, same! I have put a CD of The Eagles Live at the LA Forum instead!

Giving it Thought

Getting back on track. I realised, after having a quick chat with my husband about an emotional landmark day he is facing, what it was all in reality all about.

As you may have read, we are currently trying to move home. It’s proving to be incredibly challenging. And a process I hoped I would enjoy, but am not. I am sure many readers can relate. Isn’t moving home meant to be one of the more stressful parts of modern day life? Even writing that makes me cringe, with all the devestation and upheavel going on in the world.

The Real Reason

With that witheringly acknowledged, I realised that which I am missing. My late father’s words of support, wisdom, and the general irritation which would often ensue on receiving them! Just that quick check-in every few days. Asking if I can provide tomatoes on toast, with lashings of white pepper. ‘Because I just happen to be in your manor today’. It’s been over twenty years of a dearth of tomatoes on toast, and it doesn’t become any easier.

We face these decisions in midlife as adults, but feel no more like one. *Just so. Take it on the chin and get on with it I guess. *our children loved those stories.

The Get On With It Crowd Scene From Monty Python And The Holy Grail — Get on with it scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Closing Thoughts

I cannot deny that my generally positive mental attitude is pretty depleted at the moment. With lots of self talk going on, along with a variety of distraction techniques. Even the recent vitamin B12 injection seems to have made little difference. Thank goodness for writing. But I hope we will soon feel encouraged by what we find. Whilst accepting that this really is the easy part.

And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
Extract from ‘If’. The poem first appeared in ‘Rewards and Fairies’ – 1909 by Rudyard Kipling

Very comforting to read words I know my father would have dipped into himself.

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Have a blessed day⚘