As I walk along the path, I notice all around, the lush green foliage and the wildflowers on the ground. Blue skies are above me, birds chirping away, the sun's shining brightly, what a beautiful day! I walk along, a whistle escaping my lips, the path is well groomed, no curves and no dips. I feel so peaceful, so happy inside, I begin to reflect on things I've done in my life. Looking more closely, I study the trees. The strength that they have, such as life's given to me. Walking a bit further, I come to a stream. It is cool and refreshing, calm and serene. I look up from the stream to the path up ahead. It is no longer bright, and the flowers are dead. The trees are all dark, the birds make no sound, there is no green foliage and the sun can't be found. I look above me, blue sky everywhere. And although I cant see it, the sun is still there. This path is harder, and much steeper too. Keeping my foothold is harder to do. I begin to question, doubts filling my mind. "Where will this path lead me, and what will I find?" The farther I go, the worse the climb. I think to myself, "I'm wasting my time." "I can't do this! It is too hard for me!" I stop and sit down and look up through the trees. I sit for a while, to catch my breath, I feel sad and alone, surrounded by death. Without any sunlight, nothing here could survive. No flowers, no birds, it seems nothing's alive. Ready to turn back and give up the fight, my eye just catches a small shimmer of light. It fills me with hope, a smile crosses my face. Not giving up, I pick up my pace. "It has got to get better, I am nearing the end." Then before I know it, I have come to a bend. As I turn the corner, the sun blinds me. Then I am shocked and amazed at what I can see. A beautiful valley, mountains all around. Every color and kind of wildflower on the ground. To the left is a lake, beautiful but small. The grass is bright green, so thick and so tall. The birds are all singing, as they fly by. Then I look up, not a cloud in the sky!!! I realize then what this was all for, The dark steep path and the bright one before. They represented experiences I have had, some of them good and some of them bad. The good times I've had, like the path that was lit. Peace reigned there, Love and joy, evident. But the bad times I've had, like the path of despair, Although I couldn't see it, Love was still there. When life gets me down, when I feel there is no end, There is happiness, hope and peace, just around the bend.