The journey seemed grand when I made my plan
And I was excited to be on my way
The goal was noble, and its impact global
And it was a perfectly sunny day
At my back was a breeze and I walked with ease
As I basked in the voyage I was taking
The trail was flat, downhill at that
And I marveled at the time I was making
But every traveler knows where the trail goes
And that it’s not an easy stroll
I would learn of the trail’s turn
And I would pay the journey’s toll
Cause the road grew steep, and the mud sank deep
As I continued on my way
And as the sunlight faded, my outlook jaded
And my hope began to fray
There are stretches of land that are damp and bland
Full of shadows, but no sun
Where the wind cuts cold, and many men fold
And where their story comes undone
It was at that spot that I nearly forgot
The reason I began this story
And I began to wonder as the sky thundered
If the struggle was worth its glory
I began to ponder as my mind wandered
Of taking an easier road
Of a life that chases comfortable places
Where I could lay down my load
Because when the rain chills and novelty stills
A man can question the trail he treads
If this stretch of pain ends in gain
Of if the struggle will leave him dead
There is not a path I know as these things go
That doesn’t have a stretch that’s hard
To test a man’s will and sharpen his skill
And to leave his soul slightly scarred
So there I stood with all I could
Trying to take measure
If I should trade my goal and my soul
To live a life of pleasure
Though my bones ached and muscles quaked
I steadied my soul level
Regained my vision, then made my decision
And said, “screw you” to the devil.
I must tell it was hard as hell
To finish the journey I started
But a meaningful goal can sustain a soul
Long after life’s comfort has departed
There are crowds that follow a life that’s hollow
And their trails are wide and flat
But one thing I know as these things go
Our lives are not made for that
