Be inspired by these short poems about winning. May you find wisdom and encouragement about what it takes to win.
But, before you read them, think about what winning means. Some people
say that winning is when you are successful and triumphant in your work
or in sports. Some say it is conquering your life fears. And others say
you are second to none, you are the star. What is the difference between
winning and losing?
You may find these poems about winning may give you a different outlook on
what it means in life to win.
If first you haven't learned to swim,
You're facing life with prospects dim;
You've lost your nerve and missed your stride,
And oft may wish you could have died.
But if you swim, life's tide will still
Convey you through each trying ill ;
Fear not, when stopped, again to lunge -
Stand up and make another plunge.
The swimmer who would gain renown
Must sometimes sink, be oft cast down;
Must swallow water, gulp and choke,
Before he learns the steady stroke.
But soon he's safe in that calm sea
Wherein lie rest and victory.
If you have sunk, try once again -
Stand up and plunge into the main!
Before the swimmer learns to float,
He hovers near some friendly boat.
And looking 'round with anxious eye
Cries out for help when waves are high.
But when he finds no boat at hand
He paddles hard and gains the land;
So though in troubles to your chin,
Strike out with all your might - and win!
Till at last we own the prize
That belongs to him who tries
With faith undying;
Own the prize that all may win
Who, with hope, through thick and thin
Keep a-trying.
Work Wins
Poet: Lord Reading
Know what you want.
Keep your mind always on it.
Face facts, but remember there is always a bright side.
Above all, keep the tightest control of yourself.
Remember that work wins in the end.
No success is won without it.
No success is worth having unless honorably earned.
Success consists in doing well
the menial tasks each day;
The hero in life's battle stern,
Must win the petty fray.
It Can't Be Done
Poet: Unknown
The man who misses all the fun
Is he who says, "It can't be done."
In solemn pride he stands aloof
And greets each venture with reproof.
Had he the power he'd efface
The history of the human race;
We'd have no radio or trolley cars,
No streets lit by electric stars;
No telegraph nor telephone,
We'd linger in the age of stone.
The world would sleep if things were run
By men who say, "It can't be done."
Keep striving: the winners are those who have striven
And fought for the prize that no idler has won;
To the hands of the steadfast alone it is given,
And before it is gained there is work to be done.
Keep climbing: the earnest and steadfast have scaled
The height where the path-way was rough to the feet;
But the faint-hearted faltered, and faltering failed,
And sank down by the way-side in hopeless defeat.
Keep hoping: the clouds hide the sun for a time,
But sooner or later they scatter and flee,
And the path glows like gold to the toilers who climb
To the height where men look over landscape and sea.
Keep onward - right on, till the prize is attained;
Front the future with courage, and obstacles fall.
By those, and those only, the victory's gained
Who keep faith in themselves and the God over all.
He rose unto the heights of fame
And with the great men stood,
He heard the people cheer his name
And speak of him as good.
Success at last he had attained
By toiling day by day;
His father's name was unprofaned,
His crest of honor was unstained,
He earned his way.
He had not sought the easy road
Nor tried a doubtful scheme,
But he had borne his heavy load
Up hill and over stream.
He had not stooped to do a wrong
That might not be unlearned;
But though die way at times seemed long
He plodded on with courage strong
And every victory earned.
He heard men whisper in the night,
That venturing disgrace,
And stepping from the path of right
But hiding every trace.
Were all he had to do to win.
That honor could be feigned.
But still he kept a lifted chin.
Filled with the holy thought within.
To earn whatever he gained.
He rose unto the heights of fame,
And with the great men stood;
He never compromised with shame,
Nor bartered what was good.
With head erect he toiled along.
With clean hands for the fray.
He heard the gossip of the throng
That many profited by wrong.
But earned his way.
It is the strong "I will" that wins the day.
I will do my part in this great work.
If others fail, I will succeed!
Such a spirit as this has won victories,
And will win for you in the ranks of those
Worthy to be called sons and daughters of the King.
Pray for a spirit of consecration, that we may be
Willing to pour out our lives, our all, at His feet,
And then go forth Spirit-filled, conquering and to conquer!
We travel down a long and winding road,
Sometimes we can feel so low;
Life's ups and downs can oft time corrode,
Those defeats that seem to grow.
But if push on with courage and tenacity,
Battle through those draining lows;
Victorious success will come for sure one day,
It's the spirit within us that knows.
Though it's true winning has its hard times too,
In the end, hope will remain;
By pushing onward we'll always make it through,
Have faith in life after defeat's refrain.