The Journey Without Shortcuts Poem by Melissa Wagner

The Journey traveled without shortcuts,
is a journey worth taking.
For there are no shortcuts,
to any place worth going.

The destination does not matter,
but the Journey to it does.
For at the destination,
you will not learn anything.

You will not accomplish much either.
On the Journey to it, however,
you learn many things,
and accomplish much.

On the Journey,
you learn. You learn that,
'We are not human beings on a spiritual journey,
but spiritual beings on a human journey.' (-my good friend Joe)

So travel hard,
and travel well.
Choose your companions wisely,
and leave everything behind.

Never look back,
always move forward.
For 'Yesterday is history,
and history is miles away.' (-Matthew West)

But never forget anything either,
learn all that you can,
and treasure the good times.
Then this Journey will be like no other.

This is the Journey,
of life.
Our life here on Earth,
so don't take shortcuts.

This Journey won't be easy,
but you have a guide.
The guide will never leave your side,
and he will carry you through the rough terrain.

He loves you more than you will ever know,
and he gave you this Journey,
so travel it while holding his hand.
You are not alone.

So again,
never look back,
but don't forget either,
and don't stop.

Don't take any shortcuts,
run the whole race.
You are not alone
on this Journey,
the Journey of life.

(13 Jan.2009)