When

   When the tide of life rocks your boat
   When the winds of change batters your doors
   When the rays of reality shatters your illusions
   When the quiet of abandonment fills your ears
   And yet you stand;

   When it seems that fate has left you adrift
   When all your friends condemn you
   When your path is strewn with your past
   When failure is all that you can see
   And yet you stand;

   When the solitude of forgetfulness is your only escape
   When the multitude of complaints are your only friends
   When the plethora of excuses is all you redeem
   When the avalanche of disaster is all you harvest
   And yet you stand;

   When despair mingled with tears is your daily drink
   When drama coupled with fear is your only comfort
   When pain and defeat forces your head to bow
   When deceit and lies weigh heavily on your shoulders
   And yet you stand

   Then, and only then -can you shout with both clarity and surety
   That you have overcome. Then, and only then -will you know
   who are your true friends. And then and only then will you
   Be able to drink from the cup of victory-if only you stand.