When the Path is Yours

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When the path before you twists and turns,

And every step is one you earn,
When doubt whispers soft in your ear,
Yet you keep walking without fear.

When storms arise, and skies turn gray,
But you stand firm, won’t drift away,
When others falter, lose their ground,
Yet in your heart, resolve is found.

When you can dream but not be blind,
To life’s sharp edges, to humankind,
When hopes arise but never bind,
Your reason strong, your heart aligned.

When you can face both loss and gain,
And treat them equal, joy and pain,
When fleeting praise won't make you soar,
Nor harsh critique sink you to the floor.

When you can build, with steady hands,
A castle strong on shifting sands,
And should it fall, as castles do,
Rebuild with strength, begin anew.

When you can keep your head held high,
While questions linger, asking why,
When answers come but bring no peace,
Yet still you strive, you never cease.

When you can speak, but speak with care,
And hear the silence hanging there,
When words are tools, not weapons drawn,
To build, not break, as life moves on.

When time itself becomes your friend,
Each moment cherished to its end,
When clocks may tick, and seasons pass,
Yet still you find the truth at last.

When you can hold your loved ones near,
But not let loss consume with fear,
When letting go is not defeat,
But strength to make your life complete.

When every choice is yours to make,
And every step is yours to take,
When blame and fate no longer weigh,
And life becomes your own ballet.

When you can laugh amidst the strife,
And find the beauty in this life,
When tears fall not from pain alone,
But from the love you’ve always known.

When all the world seems turned askew,
Yet you can stand, unbowed, true,
When chaos reigns, yet you remain,
A calm within the roaring rain.

When you can balance heart and mind,
With empathy for all mankind,
When kindness blooms in every deed,
And greed gives way to others' need.

When fear no longer rules your day,
And courage lights your weary way,
When shadows stretch but cannot stay,
And light within you finds its sway.

When you can see, with open eyes,
The world’s deep wounds, the hidden cries,
And still believe, with all your soul,
That healing comes, that love makes whole.

When you can teach, not with command,
But guiding gently, hand in hand,
When others learn from what you show,
And seeds of wisdom start to grow.

When life becomes not just your own,
But something shared, a cornerstone,
When every step, though yours to choose,
Lifts someone else, ensures they cruise.

When you can give, and give again,
Without expecting what or when,
When joy comes not from what you hold,
But from the warmth of stories told.

When all these paths you walk with grace,
And find your truth in every space,
Then life itself becomes a flame,
And yours will be a timeless name.

When you can take the highs and lows,
And find the beauty as it goes,
When life’s a journey, not a race,
And every moment has its place.

Then you’ll have lived, and truly so,
Through storms above and fires below,
And in the end, when all is done,
You’ll know the truth: your life was won.

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This poem reflects on resilience, choices, and the wisdom gained from navigating life’s challenges. It explores themes of balance, perseverance, and the human spirit, offering inspiration for personal growth and fulfillment.

Resilience, wisdom, strength, choices, perseverance, balance, life journey, courage, inspiration, self-discovery, growth, challenges, triumphs.