Life IS like a boat.

You start your journey with a destination in mind. That specific destination across the sea. You know that you will reach there, and you must reach there no matter what. All the teasing and insults flung wildly at you, trying to bring you down all the way to the ground, hoping that you will not go on, but your heart tells you:

Be strong.

Be brave.

Be tough.

Be confident.

Be yourself.

As you step onto your boat, you know there is no turning back. No looking back. The past is the past, mistakes are gentle reminders for you not to repeat it, past setbacks are memories for you to cherish your victories of overcoming it all.

The first few steps onto your boat tells you that it is shaky, and you know it WILL be shaky all the way.

To your destination you go.

Obstacles constantly challenge your pride and ego: wind that goes against your direction to your destination, waves after waves threatening to capsize your boat, vultures circling above you waiting to seize the oppurtunity to feast your flesh, stormy weather that makes you believe that your life ends at that moment, etc.

A rocky journey you had. Nevertheless, you will go on.

You must go on.

Undefeated, you paddle on. With courage that keeps your head up, with strength that pushes you over the limits, with pride that reminds you of your true potential, with confidence that you know your boat will never sink, and with faith that you know you will make it through. Obstacles by obstacles, you face it like never before, somehow never surprised. One by one you defeat it, and every battle results in the boost of your inner strength, ready to face the next wave of the neverending war.

No matter how far is your destination, no matter how deep is the ocean, no matter how battered your courage be, no matter how mad is the weather, no matter how strong the current be, you will never give up. You know it will be the greatest experience of your life.

You will learn the greatest gift of all from these challenges.

Happiness.