The long hard road is the one that shows a person what they're made of. It may seem clear that one should take the easy road, and in many situations, that is an appropriate choice. But when one has the chance to make a difference, not just for oneself but for others, too, the long hard road and the long hard choice may very well be the right one. Be assured that in the short run, this road may very well wear one down and leave one exhausted at times, but in the long run, it will allow the person travelling that road to be able to confront the nay-sayers and say in a steady voice, "It was worth it."