Liquid Courage

All of these tears 

Running down my face

Aren't there

Just because I want the attention...

These tears are born of pain

So deep, so intense I can't explain

The how, the why, the when of it all.

These tears that are falling from my eyes

Are ones that spring from wells so deep

They lift heavy weights and bring relief.

You haven't been there

Or else you'd know

These tears which once stemmed from boundless sorrow,

Are tears distilled from hope in tomorrow.

They are the liqueur of the fruit of joy

They lighten the head 

And the spirit they buoy.

So then these tears come not as a bane;

They come without the aftertaste of bitter guilt 

Or the sting of acrid shame.

No. These were brewed from the finest grain

Sweetened by sunshine,

Nourished by rain.

They're the proof that I survived 

Days of dispair and nights of horror.

Understand that these tears

Are my badge of honour.

  

Surrendering

It's not about the battle,

It's about the victory. 

It's not the destination,

It's about what you gain from the journey.

It's not about the money,

It's about the value of your soul;

It's not the diploma

It's about the experiences that help you grow.

It's not about the struggles,

It's the rewards they bring.

It's not about all the noise they make,

It's about the message in the words they sing.

It's not about the things you hear

From the voices that whisper in your ear,

It's about the truth taking root like a plant

Sprouting from the seed God sowed deep in your heart.

It's not about the circumstances,

Pay no attention to the things you see.

It's not about where you are today,

What matters is who you choose to be.