I was once in the rough
Not everyone recognized my value
Just like a diamond in that state
But deep down in me, I knew my worth
And that was my truth that I clinged on to

Some of my own didn't believe in me
It did hurt to watch them leave
I almost joined them not to believe in me
Then I remembered it's my life to live

Just to make it, I took different shots
From different angles
I lost money and I lost sleep
I laid in bed watch my ceiling spin
I was this close to quitting but
I did push myself back on my feet

I would constantly say to myself
Gold has to go through fire to be purified
For me to be free, Jesus had to be crucified
The pressure to give up, I nullified
The zeal to reach my goals, I intensified

Nothing exceptional comes easy
I was knocked down several times
but I didn't stay down
I picked myself back up each time
It did make my skin tough

A calm sea never makes a great sailor
Amongst my buddies, I found traitors
The few I looked up to were also naysayers
Nevertheless, I kept my goals on my radar

I kept on pushing till I saw the light
I kept on finessing till I saw the shine
I was determined to do only what's right
Along my journey, here's what I've learnt

If life breaks your pencil,
Make two out of it
If people place stumbling block your way,
Make steps out of it

If they say sh*t on your name,
Make manure out of it
If they throw stones at you,
Make sculpture out of it

Whatever life throws at you
Take it as material
And carve success out of it