In the spring of 2005, this song was commissioned for my high school commencement ceremony. It reflects my struggles and human experiences as a high school student. 2025 marks its 20th anniversary and was the inspiration for this new album, "The Human Experience."

Lyrics

Never was good enough
Never was wise enough
Never would've thought that I would graduate out of school
Never was thin enough
Never was handsome enough
Never was cool enough to walk a mile in your shoes

Well, I'm looking back on yesterday
Searching for some kind of fate
And all I saw were shades of grey
A sudden fall from grace
But I'm hanging on to promises
With no guarantees
Once you fall in life
It's so hard to get back up and start again

And though it gets hard sometimes
To find a little peace of mind
But against all odds, I know I'll overcome
I know that I can win
With a little blood, sweat, and tears
I'll rise above the wasted years
Yet, against all odds, I know the struggle begins
Yet, against all odds, I know that I can win

Just heard the bad news today
Another door slammed in my face
And I guess it's cliché to say
There'll be another day
Sometimes it seems useless to try
Sometimes it's so hard to get by
At times, I sit and wonder, why?
Is it all a lie?

But I try to keep my dreams alive
Though I go through some struggle and strife
Still life is worth living, I've got to fight
(Got to fight)
So, I'm hanging on to promises
With no guarantees
With every battle I face
I've got to finish this race
Through it all

And though it gets hard sometimes
To find a little peace of mind
But against all odds, I know I'll overcome
I know that I can win
With a little blood, sweat, and tears
I'll rise above the wasted years
Yet, against all odds, I know the struggle begins
Yet, against all odds, I know that I can win

Through the storm
Through the rain (Yes, I can make it)
Through the heartache
Through the pain (Through the pain)
Through the fire
Every ball and chain
I know that I can win
Yes, I can
I know that I can win