whatever's left of me.

If you canstart the day without caffeine;
if you can get going without painkiller;
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 forgive a friend's lack of consideration;
if you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when,
though no fault of your own, 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 honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice
against creed or color, religion or politics;
Then, my friend, you're almost as good as your dog.

"Almost, but not quite."

-Anonymous