The Ultimate Test of Character

Imagine standing tall while everyone around you is losing their cool and pointing fingers at you. If you can keep your calm and trust yourself, even when everyone else is drowning in doubt and still understand why they doubt you then you’re on the right path.

If you can be patient and wait without getting worn out, or face lies without becoming a liar yourself, and endure hate without letting it consume you without coming across as too good or too wise you’re onto something great.

If you can dream big but not let your dreams control you, think deeply but not let thoughts be your only focus, and take both victory and defeat in stride, knowing they’re both just fleeting moments then you’ve mastered a vital skill.

If you can listen to the truth you’ve spoken twisted into traps for the gullible, or watch everything you’ve worked for fall apart, and yet find the strength to rebuild it all with nothing but old, worn-out tools, you’re tougher than most.

If you can pile up all your successes and put them on the line in one big gamble, lose it all, and start over without a word of complaint you’ve got resilience that few can match.

If you can push your body, heart, and mind to keep going long after they’ve given out, driven only by sheer willpower telling you to hold on then you’re unstoppable.

If you can walk among the crowd without losing your morals, or move in high circles without forgetting your roots, if you can be loved and not let it go to your head, and be hurt but not let it break you then you’ve achieved a rare balance.

If you can squeeze every second out of every minute and make the most of it, then the world is yours and everything in it. And, even more important, you’ll truly be a remarkable person.