They tell us it’s our own decision, they tell us we have choices,

They say “Do what makes you happy”, and “speak with your own voices”,

But why then do I feel so trapped? Following a premade trail,

Doing what those did before me, but feeling as if I’m in jail.

 

Because even though they tell us, we make our own destinations,

We find ourselves driven by the others’ expectations.

As if there are guidelines we must follow, to become who we’re supposed to be,

The handbook of society, makes no sense to me.            

 

The handbook of society makes life seem as a game,

The rules given to everyone, are shamefully the same.

It tells you where you ought to end and where you must begin,

But when it comes right down to it, there’s no one way to win.

 

Because for some winning means fame, success and fortune and wealth,

And for others winning means happiness, good will and good health,

And for some winning means knowledge, to learn all one could think of,

And for others winning means family, a spouse and children to love.

 

So holding this in mind, I have a proposition,

I’d like to examine the guidelines and produce my own rendition,

There are no rules on how to win, only on how to progress,

Because studying hard in school is not the only route to success.

 

Don’t become too engrossed in work; don’t spend too much time at school,

Remembering what’s truly important is a very vital rule.

For the second you let money, become your only aim,

When it comes before the ones you love, well then you’ve lost the game.

 

Things are insignificant, things are only things,

And don’t overlook the opportunities, a bad situation brings,

When you choose to quit the game, as soon it gets dark and rains,

You’ll never see the rainbow and the beauty it contains.

 

The key to winning is happiness, and it’s easy for some to say,

But to me the key is finding that path that will lead you in the right way.

For some it will be right in front of them, they’ll know right where to go,

Others will get lost along the way, but it will only make them grow.

 

And maybe there’s no destination, maybe there never will be,

But disregard the handbook, and find what makes you happy,

Because once you find that happiness, the hardships you’ve overcame,

Well then, my friend, you’ve followed the rules, and you have won the game.