I have advice to give not

because I think myself full of wisdom

but because I have experience and can look out over the road in my rearview and see what it’s meant

it is not in spite of the hardships and anxieties

the comparisons I used to lean so far away

from that

took me to this road I am traveling on now

no it is because of them

for if it weren’t the ‘not like that’ anxieties of comparison that felt like a trap for a while

or the ending that seemed full of worthless

-yet just enough of me knew this was a misreading

that I can say I would do it all again

to BE.

The sages say to not turn from darkness

do not shy from hardship it is what makes

us strong self

now. I believe it.

Let me be your small sage today and say to you

it is worth it. believe it.

the road traveled is a blessing in disguise that only reveals its true self in the rearview.