“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost wrote those words as part of “
The Road Not Taken” over a hundred years ago. The complete quote is below, but most of us only remember the last few lines about the road less traveled. It’s often framed to mean that taking a chance, breaking away from the norms, the expected, the masses will somehow set you free, or make you rich, or lead to the fulfilling of all your fantasies. I would suggest that’s all delusional.
Value Judgments On Being “Average”
For at least a few decades, there’s been a constant beating of the drum that somehow being average or normal, whatever those words may mean, is to be avoided. And I’m sure that many have, indeed, found treasures beyond their wildest dreams by venturing down that unknown path.
But there is nothing wrong, or less, about being average or normal. I’ve wished many times that I could be. And it’s okay to take an average stroll down the street or through the woods or on the beach.
No, you don’t have to be “the best,” or have a viral social media experience to lay claim to a quite wonderful life. Average can be awesome, if you let it. Normal, simple, calm, and predictable is a pretty nice place to be if you know the terror of living in chaos. Buy me a drink sometime, and I’ll tell you my story.
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
Yes, each of us comes across many divergent paths. Too often, society, indulging in one’s fantasies, or any one of the “seven deadly sins” entices us to make choices that alter our lives – FOREVER. Too often, there’s no going back once the path is chosen, the door you walked through was a one-way door and it is bolted shut after you’ve passed through.
Read Frost’s words once again. Are they really filled with a teasing of some unimaginable wonderfulness? Or are they a warning? A warning to choose wisely and cautiously, because the path you choose will . . . change . . . everything? What was the “sigh” about? Was it bliss? Or sorrow?
Choices, Choices . . . and Consequences
Barbara Streisand once sang the words “there are no mistakes, just lessons to be learned.” I suspect there are many, many more lessons, and accompanying trials, along the road less traveled. Yes, in addition to the occasional gemstones and treasures. Like the hopeful miners of gold rush days, you’ll never know for sure the prices that you’ll pay for the hope of finding gold.
For every miner who found a handful of yellow metal, thousands perished, poor. I think I hear their echoing sigh, just now.
It’s Okay To Be Average
Mediocrity. Average. Just an everyday, common Joe or Jane. It’s okay if that describes you. Treasure where you are, and in the present moment, choose wisely.
Because you’re going to have to live in the next moment, too. I’ll see you on the other sighed.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
Looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
