Based on Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If'- it will make more sense if you've
read it.
I tried to keep to Kipling's rhyme scheme (A-C, B-D), but couldn't. So it
goes. I think it captures the general feel of his poem, though.

If You Can
If you can dress up nice to go out dancing
And not need to ask if your bum looks big
And dance the night away without a partner
Not minding looking silly as you jig
If you can get up early the day after
And look your own reflection in the eye,
Smile at yourself as you take off your make up,
Without the reassurance of a guy:
If you can gather all your pride and courage
And risk it on one turn of pitch- and- toss
Then if he turns and says he doesn't love you
Remember that will always be his loss.
If you can take rejection as a lesson
Acknowledging and studying the pain
Then stand up tall and take a new direction
Prepared to face it all over again.
If you can take can unjust abuse from loved ones
And cut a needing friend a little slack
Then, when your roles reverse don't be too bitter
If she turns to stab you in the back
If you can keep from adding to the melee
As one 'friend' tears at another's throat
Watch and learn but always at a distance
And, however tempting, never gloat
If you can focus on the thing you want most,
And always to your own self be true,
Never losing sight of where your dreams lead
But still earn enough to live on, too.
If you can make your love life the perfect curry,
Neither too spicy nor a touch too mild,
Then you can do 'most anything you want to,
And what's more, you'll be a woman, child!