1/17/00

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your 
troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful 
for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too 
busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on 
you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never 
correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor 
friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have no 
prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog!