Thoughts to Ponder
April 8, 2016
“…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the road less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Robert Frost*
As we travel through our days sometimes the road is a smooth, easy, lovely ride. Other times we hit small bumps or potholes that damage our egos and indicate that we are traveling the wrong road and need to make a detour, sooner rather than later. We can keep driving down that road until our car is wrecked and our souls are bleeding.
Why do we continue this disastrous pattern? Often we don’t see another road we cab travel. Or we see an alternate road but are afraid to make the turn because the old road is familiar. We know where the bumpy road will take us. We don’t know what will happen if we change directions.
Those fears are valid. We don’t know where the new road will take us. Often we are taught from childhood that we must follow a certain path, no matter what. Fear of change can be a generational roadblock. Other parents teach their children to go for the prize. A friend once told me that he was taught to shoot for the stars and if he only reached the moon he’d still be further than had he remained Earth bound.
My own upbringing was more along the fearful lines. If I were to step out of my role something terrible would happen. I would live to regret my rash behavior. I believed that for many situations, like speaking up at work, but in others I took chances and am glad I did. I had to change my direction several times. While many decisions had serious repercussions they always came with a gift that made my life better.
Some examples:
- My first marriage was a disaster, but my three wonderful children made life worthwhile.
- I left that marriage not knowing what might happen and learned that I was capable of earning a living for my young family.
- After my children were grown I enrolled in an elite college with only $25 dollars in my pocket. I graduated at age 47 with less student debt than anticipated. That degree led to better jobs.
- At 55 I chose early retirement and a severely reduced benefit to move across the country to live near my daughters. That move allowed me to watch my grandchildren reach adulthood and give me four great-grandsons that are the delight of my life. And, another baby is on the way.
- In 2013 my favorite online inspirational writer chose to close her blog. Uncharacteristically, I chose to continue her work with Thoughts to Ponder. While my following is not as large as hers, the number is growing. Most of all I feel satisfaction in doing my part to make the world a more peaceful place.
All that is a long way to say that it is never too late to change directions. I’m now looking for other ways to expand my life and new roads to travel. If I don’t fly among the stars I’m still a lot further than if I’d never started this journey.
I urge you to take a risk and take “the road less travelled.” You may face some unpleasant situations but you will have gained so much more.
Spirit,
Thank you for showing us that we have options. We can change directions as often as necessary to reach our goals. By exploring new roads we learn that we have talents we never expected. Those talents will lead us down more roads and to new adventures. Those choices might not all lead to the stars, but they will certainly get us further on our journey than if we stay focused on the potholes in front of us.
And, so it is.
*Frost, Robert, “The Road not Taken,” in Mountain Interval, 1916.
Sharon D. Dillon, energywriter@cox.net, http://energywriter.me
Chesapeake Bay Writers, Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop, Southern Humorists, National Society of Newspaper Columnists
Author of one of 14 stories in The Book of Mom: Reflections of Motherhood with Love, Hope and Faith, published by booksyoucantrust.com. Available in print and e-format at Amazon.com
Laugh your way to peace, love and joy 
When I was in high school, we learned about natural selection, which is the idea that the organisms most adapted to the environment are the one’s who survive. It is not the strongest or the smartest who survive, but those who are the most adaptable to their changing environment. In the end, the ones who don’t adapt, the ones who are stubborn with staying on their path are the ones who will fail. Be adaptable, don’t be scared to change directions, great post:))
Thank you for responding, Vincent. What you say is true. We must adapt and be willing to change directions.
seems like you have done that well:)
Thank you, Vincent. It’s an ongoing process.
Love this, Sharon…we’ve been gypsies in terms of moving and we always hear…”What? You’re moving again? Don’t you just want to settle down?” Nope, settling is not for us.
Thank you, Susan. Follow your bliss, as the old saying goes. Do what, and go where, life leads you.
Nice writing. 2nd paragraph 2nd line, cab should be can. Hope the boys are picking up on your inspiration.
Thank you for the correction. I always seem to miss one or two. I hope the boys are learning. It’s not to late for any of us to make changes. Oh, has Krystal any news from dr. visit?
Very inspirational post, Sharon. It’s not easy to take risks and do different things, but you’ve proven it can lead to great results (even as it might also lead to some setbacks).