This blog post is taken from my book Golden Nuggets, and it’s simply a poem written by Edgar A. Guest.
It’s entitled “Equipment,” and it goes like this…
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
you have all that the greatest of men have had,
two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
and a brain to use – if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
so start for the top – and say, “I can.”
Look them all over, the wise and great
they take their food from a common plate,
and similar knives and forks they use,
with similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
but you have all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and develop skill,
you can be great if you only will.
You’re well equipped for the work that you choose,
you have legs and arms and a brain to use,
and the man who has risen great deeds to do
began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
you are the one who must choose your place,
you must say where it is that you want to go,
how much you will study; the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
the man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the greatest have had,
with your equipment they all began,
get hold of yourself, and say: “I can.”
