Maybe the hard road chose you because you could walk it.

There's a specific kind of tiredness that comes from looking back at your life and noticing a pattern: every time there was an easy road and a hard one, you took the hard one. Not once. Consistently.

Sometimes it's stubbornness. Sometimes it's values. Sometimes it's simply that the hard road was the only honest one.

Here's a kinder way to see it: maybe the hard road chose you because you could walk it. Because you'd notice the wildflowers along the way. Because you'd make it to the bench at the top, sit down, and see further than anyone who stayed on the flat.

Just remember to rest when you get there.