If teenagers would.

If you can keep your head held high,
When others raise a hue and cry,
About the things you want to try,
And while letting the spiteful edges slide,
Acknowledge those comment's positive side.

If you can hear gossip, but not insult another,
Or stand for your beliefs, though you stand alone,
Or voice your criticisms, yet not slander,
And treat others with all the goodness you own.

If you can dream, without living in one,
And like, without choosing to lust,
If you can dress in rags or a crown,
Then stay true to your purpose.

If when you are surrounded by liars,
You can retain your honesty,
If you can fight the good fight, fair,
Though others may cheat to succeed.

If you can live without a mask,
And let your personality shine through,
If you can question what society asks,
Yet understand your weaknesses, too.

If you can attain the things you hold dear,
Then resist the urge to obsess.
If you can treat gain and loss with equal cheer,
Despite the materialism of the rest.

If you can love without any fear,
Yet let the things you love go free.
If you can defend yourself when danger draws near,
And not let another's presence become a necessity.

If you can fight, but refrain from hurting,
Defend yourself from easy aggravation,
If you can bear others misinterpretations,
Then objectively perceive a situation.

If  you strive to perfect your greatest passion,
Be it athletic, academic or art.
If you can climb the steepest path with enthusiasm,
And never let obstacles dampen your spark.

If you can see the hidden wonders,
In the smallest of mundane things.
If you feel joy at the simple pleasures,
That each new day brings.

If you can explore the validity,
of dogmatic doctrines and claims,
If you can create your own duty,
And from self-doubt, refrain.

If you can smile at your reflection,
Cherishing your body, mind and soul,
If you can understand that life is a decision,
Then choose to go for the gold.

If you can see the strength within,
That comes from your heart and your head,
And understand that though exteriors may fade,
A powerful personality becomes the stuff of legend.

If you never retire into the dark and small places,
Avoid treating life as a wager,
You shall never again feel belabored,
Have the freedom to blaze new spaces,
And, what is more, you will survive being a teenager.

Hello. This was based off of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If".