For years, I felt my life was a road consisting of nothing but rough terrain,

But what I could not see is the experience and strength I just might gain.

Signs for yield right of way, caution and stop appeared right from the start;

Potholes, rough spots and ruts of every imaginable sort were a major part.

Smooth roadways were all around, but it seemed there wasn’t one for me,

So I often became weary and annoyed, and felt some green-eyed jealousy.

It seemed everyone else was barreling on through on a sort of super highway

When I was doing good just to pick myself up and dust myself off every day.

Others were zipping past me, going here and there, but I found looking around

Was not the way for me to reach my goal, it only slowed my journey down.

Temptations were scattered along my highway, enticements of every kind,

People to restrain me from my journey, and things that bogged down my mind.

Time has passed; days have become months and months have become years

My road is still often rough and rugged, and I’m not yet free of tears and fears

But I gained so many rewards for traveling a bumpy road and even falling down;

I learned compassion, strength of spirit and to appreciate smooth, solid ground.

If my road had been too smooth, and I’d reached my destination far too fast,

I wouldn’t have had time to learn many great lessons of life, the lessons that last.

The fact I kept on going, no matter how hard the journey or how rough the way,

Taught me to take the time to smell the scattered roses that bloom every day.

If life’s journey is too fast and easy, there’s not the opportunity to grow

For if my roadway had been too smooth and I’d traveled along with the flow

I wouldn’t have experienced the many things that have truly enriched my life,

An appreciation of living that can only be experienced when overcoming strife.