The Road Before You

A road lies before you,
it's your very own road.
It holds many dangers,
but to riches it goes.

Many have tried,
but none have succeeded,
to wander this road,
before you unimpeded.

But you can try.

Some, filled with doubt,
walked this road for a bit,
then thought it too hard,
so they stopped to sit.

They watched others go by,
and when asked why they sat,
they made silly excuses,
smiled, and tipped their hat.

They never arose.

Others, filled with courage,
plodded on towards the goal,
filled with hope and desire
to reach the riches foretold.

But as their apathy grew,
they lost sight of the prize,
and their focus turned elsewhere,
which led to their own demise.

They never arrived.

Still others wore armour of glistening steel,
a feather in their hat for show;
corded muscles flexed and moved,
as they strutted down this road.

But they trusted too much in themselves,
and were, to be honest, quite vain.
Their resolve proved to be like mist in the sun,
as they faced the trials and the rain.

They never found glory.

Accepting defeat and sitting from fear,
leads to a lifetime of what-ifs;
and apathy will drive you to and fro -
restless like the sands that shift.

Courage isn't found in armour
or beauty, but in persistence.
And since vanity holds little resolve,
it never can go the distance.

Every traveler failed.

The truth is, they just weren't you;
they tried to live a life not their own,
and ill-equipped for the struggle ahead,
they didn't reach the end of this road.

You are the best for the job,
the perfect traveler for this road.
And if you don't give up now,
you'll reach the riches foretold.

You are amazing.

So don't try to walk another's road,
and wish to be like them.
You'll fail every time,
because you weren't made for it.

They have their own road,
unique to their own strengths.
For you to walk theirs, well,
it's like them walking yours:

It ends in disaster.

Be content with your life,
knowing you'll one day succeed.
You'll find the riches,
and finally be freed.

And think of the trials,
and those who come against you;
You'll overcome that which opposes,
something no one else could do.