[Intro]

(radio station searching sound effects)

[Verse 1]

They say life is a journey that must be traveled

But we'll be fighting uphill battles on the way to that castle

There are many lessons to learn, but some lessons are forced

On the path to righteousness, we're often lead off course

What I see in the media leaves me in disgust

I shake my head and turn off my TV in a rush

You wanna know why I'm acting so hostile?

Because today's society has a serious lack of role models

From the 'burbs to the slums with the small apartments

I've seen these children grow up alone and heartless

This generation has nothing to show for

Cause the media convinced them there was nothing to hope for

But you don't need to throw your life away

Cause after the darkest night, there's always a brighter day

I'm here to carry on the message, so you can feel empowered

Cause Slick Rick told us that the world could be ours

That means there's nothing you can't do, nothing you can't say

So tell the ones who doubt you to get out of your damn way!

But life ain't always a bowl of cherries, it's cold and scary

And will blindside you in an instant, with no preparing

So never think you have it all figured out

Just take your head out the clouds and keep your feet on the ground

Now all the problems you'll soon face might be stressing

But you can get the right impression with these life lessons

[Hook]

Take a look around

There's so much beauty to be found

Don't let problems get you down

Or stop your progression

Make the most of what you're handed

Don't ever take it for granted

Cause in a moment, it could all vanish

These are life's lessons

[Verse 2]

Now it's time for some exposition

So what's important to you, fortune and fame or personal recognition?

There's nothing wrong with striving for the highest luxury

But when its out of hand, greed can turn a man bloodthirsty

Not everything that glitters is golden

They say life's a gamble, so I grab my pair of dice and keep it rolling

You get nowhere without hard work, and you might struggle

But if you keep that mental muscle, you won't get lost in the shuffle

Knowledge is power, but take it beyond the classroom

Show the world you're not just here to pass through

Nowadays we altercate over the stupidest reasons

So if you must fight, do it for what you truly believe in

It's easy to get caught up in jealousy

But to have what the next man has, are you willing to catch a felony?

Don't live your life parallel to that of a nere-do-well

Cause what goes around comes back around like a carousel

And I don't care to dwell on past mistakes

I just try to learn from them and focus on where I'm at today

Don't stay stuck on the past

If you drive towards the future gazing into the rear view mirror, you're gonna crash

And I know I'll be neglected by the general collective

My record won't sell if I'm conscious or introspective

But even though my words might only reach a chosen few

Its worth it to see the kind of people they'll grow into

[Hook]

[Verse 3]

When I was twenty-one, folks said that I was too young

To make this song, I thought they were dead wrong

But they couldn't have been more right, I lacked the foresight

I was a mess, so who was I to tell you how to live your life?

And six years later, I still don't have it all figured out

If anything, the problems in my life are even bigger now

So how can I try to criticize what the rest do?

Its cause I want to set an example for my baby nephew

Advice from the perspective of your years is called wisdom

When you're grown, you do away with all childish mannerisms

And you'll keep learning lessons, but not all of them are sacred

Always listen to advice, even if you don't take it

And even if the idea doesn't seem palpable

Always respect your elders but don't think they're infallible

The truth is often manipulated, that's why it is critical

To think for yourself as an individual

I've always looked at music as a spiritual enhancer

But the truth is Hip-Hop doesn't have all the answers

I'm just trying to find my place in life, and who's to blame

If I can hope to inspire others to do the same?

So as you look back on your life when all said and done

Will you be proud or ashamed of what you've become?

Only you will know for sure, so I say in closing

Walk straight, master your high - now let's hear the globe sing

[Hook]

[Outro]

All I want to do is

"teach a life lesson through my CD when you play it" (x4)