I can’t see my destination because of the rough path set before me. I see easier paths that are clear and empty all around me. Those paths are well traveled, and worn well down. The path that leads me to my destination is full of storm clouds, thorn bushes, and cliffs that fall to jagged rocks. The earth shakes beneath my feet. My path is unsure, winding, dark, and the journey frightens me. I look to my left, and see others running past me on the easier paths. To my right, I see multitudes of people crowding the worn path moving quickly to their destination. 

 

Beset with the discouraging feeling of despair, I turn my head away from the gloomy path that I am on, and try to step away. I want to walk along an easier path, the journey I see everyone else making look so easy. I am done, and I want to quit. I drop my head and look at my feet. I don’t see myself at the beginning of this path. I don’t know where I am on this journey, but I didn’t just begin. I turn around, and see that this path stretches as far as my eyes can see behind me. The path behind me looks even more treacherous than the path that lies before me. Behind me I see one tumultuous storm after another. I see fallen trees, and jagged stones in the way of the path. I look behind me, and I see the ground is rough, but bears a set of footprints. My footprints! I can’t see their origins, but I can see them for miles. I see my own footprints through the worst of the journey, and I can’t believe it. I have already traveled the worst!
 
 

I turn around to see the journey in front of me, and it doesn’t look like anything I’ve already done. In fact, it doesn’t even seem so hard anymore. It looks like I can do this, and I feel the strength in my legs. I feel like the storm’s winds are pushing me to go on. I feel the ground trembles with each step I take because I cause earthquakes with my steps. I am powerful beyond known measure. The thorn bushes part themselves away from me with each step I take. Thunder pounds the sky above me, and I have started to run. I am running the rest of this path. I don’t know where it ends, but the knowledge that I’ve been on this path this long frees me to run harder than I ever have before. 

The end is in site, and it is glorious. IT IS SO GLORIOUS.