If you think you’re beaten, you are;

You’re ready to give up and quit;

Remember there’s only one entrance

And more than a single exit.

If you think you’ve crossed the line

Of your maximum effort and yet

You’ve gotten as far as you can,

But encountered naught but regret,

Think again, the whole world is full

Of those like you who cannot

Abide by the hurtful truth:

Success isn’t easily begot.

When you stumble and rise again

Recover your stride and proceed

On the beaten path of endeavor,

You’ve re-established your need.

What matters most is direction,

With your hands back on the rudder,

As you cross the sea of endeavor,

You’re alone, there isn’t another.

Your ship may toss and flounder

On the mighty ocean of life,

What matters is how you venture

To weather the storm and strife.

Those that arrived at objectives

Nor thought to quit and withdraw

From the path of constant endeavor

Are those whose favorable score

Couldn’t happen without the stress

That burdens the willing spirit

But ignites it nonetheless.