Running backwards
She's working hard
running fast as she can
keeping her eyes
on the prize.
She reaches for the goal
all her life
running herself
into the ground.
She doesn't realize
the goal keeps moving
every time she gets close
it is gone.
Everyone in life
running hard as they can
Everyone in life
working themselves to death
No one realizing
No one seeing
They're running
running the wrong way
on a moving sidewalk.
She's spent her childhood
chasing her dreams
she tried so hard
but nothing worked.
Now she's a teen
learning life's lessons
she's told to succeed
she must achieve.
Day after day passes her by
She labors on
reaching for the goal
that is out of her reach
Everyone around
running hard as they can
Everyone around
working themselves to death
No one realizes
no one sees
They're running
running the wrong way
on a moving sidewalk.
She graduates high school
but the goal has moved
college is the aim now
she strives on.
Admitted into college
She thinks she has won
Soon she discovers
the goal has moved on.
Now she can see
she'll never achieve
she's running
but falling behind.
Everyone near
running hard as they can
Everyone near
working themselves to death
No one realizes
No one sees
they're running
running the wrong way
on a moving sidewalk.
Years pass
life goes on
She keeps trying
struggling toward the goal.
She starts to doubt
is it really worth it?
she's spent her life
aiming at a moving target.
Now she's grown
married, with children
still striving to achieve
to grasp that goal.
Everyone close
running hard as they can
Everyone close
working themselves to death
No one realizes
No one sees
they're running
running the wrong way
on a moving sidewalk.
Her children have grown
She hasn't been home
They get in fights
juvenile hall.
She's lived her life
looking ahead
not living in the present
enjoying the moment.
She presses her kids
to achieve success
passing on
the same flawed strategy
Everyone here
ran as hard as they could
Everyone here
worked themselves to death
No one realized
no one saw
they were running
running the wrong way
on a moving sidewalk.
She never noticed
never saw
to succeed in life
you must live in the present
Now she's old
nursing home
she looks back
at her life
She always worked hard
always struggled
Never gave up
Yet never reached the goal.
Her children follow
in her footsteps.
They live life
reaching for a moving target.
They don't see
They don't realize
To enjoy life
you must live in the present
Live in the Present.