I was first introduced to this poem by my high school English teacher. It’s been more than twenty years, and “If”reverberates in me as freshly as ever. What do you do when your country has been brutally invaded? When your people try to survive through missile attacks and energy blackouts? And when you are constantly anxious for the well-being of your relatives? Kipling reminds us to live with dignity despite the twists and turns, and ups and downs.