For me, life was a never-ending struggle—

A rocky gravel road I walked barefoot on.

I always hated when the power went out,

When darkness consumed my life momentarily—

And I had to step inside the shoes of the unfortunate.

I always was picky about the meals that I was given,

Disregarding food that others would die for-

That I instead carelessly and unconsciously tossed away.

I always dreaded the fact that I had an old, tiny rusted Chevy,

Until I had to walk through a blizzard-

And I had to step inside the shoes of the unfortunate.

I always regretted that I had an average house,

Before I walked past the trailer parks and the homeless-

That I didn’t believe existed and was completely oblivious to.

I always complained about having a bad day,

Thinking my life was all that miserable-

And I never realized how good I had it made.

That year my life was forever changed.

It was the soup kitchens I volunteered at,

It was the church masses I attended,

It was the foreign saddened faces I saw,

It was the unfortunate that opened my eyes.

I always had dreamed of becoming rich,

Being able to afford anything I desired-

That was until I realized I was wealthy,

And had even more than what I needed.

I was then finally glad to see the sun rise and set,

Without a single worry-

Life was in ease and beautiful.

I walked a golden road in luxurious shoes.

I was fortunate