The price I paid

I’m half the man I used to be,

Success came knocking — but it stole the key.

Built a brand from blood and grind,

But lost my peace, my soul, my time.

I missed birthdays, skipped prayers,

Chased goals while ignoring stares.

My family watched me fade away,

While I chased dreams that wouldn’t stay.

I thought I had it all —

But when you rise too fast, you fall.

I built a name, but lost my name,

Now I sit in silence, drowning in shame.

This is the price I paid —

For every shoe I made.

For every post, every pitch,

I traded love for being rich.

I lost my faith, I lost my way,

I lost the ones who used to pray.

Now I’m half the man I used to be,

And it’s gon’ take some getting used to me.

I used to feel God in my chest,

Now I feel stress and second-guess.

I used to lead my home in grace,

Now I just chase — and misplace.

I let ambition blind my sight,

Worked through days, cried at night.

Told myself it’s worth the pain,

But now I’m standing in the rain.

They don’t tell you this part —

That building a business might break your heart.

That you’ll lose your family while chasing fame,

That you’ll forget your purpose just to build a name.

This is the price I paid —

For every shoe I made.

For every post, every pitch,

I traded love for being rich.

I lost my faith, I lost my way,

I lost the ones who used to pray.

Now I’m half the man I used to be,

And it’s gon’ take some getting used to me.

But I’m finding my way back.

One prayer, one step, one breath at a time.

Because success without soul —

Is just a polished prison.