The Journey of Success

Written by Nancy Hammel

When choosing the path to follow, I selected the road heading west.
It began in the Forest of Childhood, and ceased at the City of Successs.

My bag was packed full of knowledge, but also some fears and some weights.
My most precious cargo was a vision of entering the city's bright gates.

I reached an impassable river, and feared that my dream had been lost.
But i found a sharp rock, cut down a tree, and created a bridge, which I crossed.

It started to rain, and I was so cold, I shivered and started to doubt.
But I made an umbrella out of some leaves and kept all the cold water out.

The journey took longer than I had planned; I had to food left in my dish.
Rather than starve before reaching my dream, I taught myself how to fish.

I grew awfully tired as I walked on and on, and i thought of the weights in my pack.
I tossed them aside, and I sped up again. Fear was all that was holding me back.

I could see the City of Success, just beyond a small grove of trees.
At last, I thought, I have reached my goal! The whole world will envy me!

I arrived at the city, but the gate was locked. The man at the door frowned and hissed,
"You have wasted your time. I can't let you in. Your name is not on my list."

I cried and I screamed an I kicked and I shook; I felt that my life had just ceased.
For the first time ever, I turned my head, and for once in my life faced the east.

I saw all the things I had done on my way, all the obstacles I'd overcome.
I couldn't enter the city, but that didn't mean I hadn't won.

I had taught myself how to ford rivers, and how to stay dry in the rain.
I had learned how to keep my heart open, even if sometimes it lets in some pain.

I leaned, facing backwards, that life meant more than just survival.
My success was in my journey, not in my arrival.

成功的历程

决定追随的道路时，我选择了西进的征途；
此途开始于童年的森林，以成功的都城为结束。

我的行囊载满了学识，却也装上了几许惶恐与重负；
踏进都城明亮大门的憧憬，是我最为珍贵的随身之物。

我抵达不可逾越的河流，惧怕梦想就此而失落；
然而，我觅得利石，伐木造桥，踏桥而过。

雨点落下，我寒冷颤抖，疑惑顿时涌上心头；
但是我集叶成伞，将冷雨统统驱走。

途长路远，远乎我所预期，我已是无以为餐；
寻梦路上，我以渔自授，免去了饥困的羁绊。

跋涉不休，我的疲惫与日俱增，于是想起了囊中的重负；
我弃之路旁，疾步如旧，使我止步的惟有恐惧的束缚。

成功之城已在眼前，相隔只有一林的树木；
我自诩的理想终于达成，世人皆会以报我以羡慕！

我抵达了成功之城，大门却紧锁。守门人皱着眉头，满带讽刺：
“你虚度了时光，我不能给你放行。我的名单上并无你的名字。”

我呼喊、尖叫、顿足、战栗，自觉人生已到了尽头；
生平我首次回首，此生我第一次向东直视凝眸。

我看见了自己一路的经历，望见了一切险困皆被我战胜；
成功之城我未能进入，但是这并不意味着我就是一事无成。

我教会了自己渡越江河，教会了自己避过冷雨，
我学会了胸怀宽广，尽管有时也收拢了不少唏嘘。

蓦然回首，我终于明白，人生的意义并非旨在求生；
我的成功不为到达终点，我的成功全在历程。