The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far asI 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,
Through 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 marked the first of 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
--Robert Frost

This poem was dissected and analyzed in almost every poetry course imagined. Frost meanings and interpretations proclaimed for all to see. But think how applicable it truly is. It feels at every turn "two paths" are given and a decision has to be made. We can sit and ponder what if we had followed the other but alas, there is no ability to change circumstance.

People say you have a few major decisions in life 1) College or no college 2) Who to Marry 3) Career and 4) Buying one's first home. In reality yes those are big decisions but I find that they are far from the only ones that can change a life. In fact it is the little everyday decisions that can have just a large of impact. It is those choices that most people do not blink an eye at that can add up. In the quiet moments alone that clear light shines through and realization of every choice can be seen.

Now I am far from saying reflection leads to regret; rather, confusion and puzzlement.  Think, wonder, question: What if I had gone here and done this? What if I had kissed this person or if I had not loved another? What if I had said yes to this job and no to that one? What if I had not taken that road or answered that call? In each instant one change in the mindless decisions could have changed everything. Some decisions are are harder to comprehend than others. In the moment it seemed thoughtless, practical, exciting; however, upon reflection another decision could have be devastating or maybe better. Thus what leads to our decisions?

Big decisions you may make pro/con lists, discuss with others, take time to really think all the possibilities through. Nevertheless, how does one make rash, immediate decisions?  How do we not allow ourselves to over think the possibilities and miss an opportunity? Why do people trust their gut instinct? Although not every choice made may have been the best choice I far from regret my life decisions. It is amusing; however, how much those choices have stayed with me and alway seem to be in the back of my mind. It sometimes is hard to turn the brain off from wondering: who my friends would be; what I would be doing; who I would be as a person if I had made one different choice. Furthermore, what my future decisions will do to me.

I am a person that hates change but constantly seems to be in the midst of it. Furthermore, slightly bored without the change. Yet, when it is time to make a choice I struggle always questioning always wondering and after making the decision still continuing to wonder. This even happens when thinking of what to order at a restaurant or present to buy. How do we do it as humankind? How do we teach someone to make the instinctive gut choices that in true reality are all that matter because they lead us to the "major decision."

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference"

It is the essence of being. To truly take a moment and stand out. Be willing to do the unusual or be different from everyone. Leave the security blanket of normalcy behind. Once you are able to do this, the choices, though still difficult and confusing, may leave you with little regret.