Monday, April 16, 2007

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 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.
-Robert Frost (1915)
Other than the beautiful verses written to me by the Sweetie Man, of all the poems I've ever read, this is by far my absolute favorite. It is the essence of my life now and will be for a long time to come. As you know, I'm 50, and I grew up in a town and a time where you just didn't do things to make people look at you different. You did, wore, or acted as was expected of you, like it or not. Yet there always was this person inside of me that longed to "buck the system", so to say, even if just very subtly. I used to tell people when I was young that I couldn't wait to be in my 30's cause then I could do whatever I wanted. Well, when I became 30 that didn't happen for various reasons and I was actually probably stifled even more from what I wanted to do in my life or who I wanted to be.
As I became older, and maybe wiser, I started taking those chances. Listening to my heart....instead of everyone else's "head". I began doing what I knew in my heart would lead me to happiness in MY life. At this point in time, the "road less traveled" is the road to my happiness. Whether it is letting my hair grow very long when everyone else my age changed it as they grew older, getting a tatoo, having three dogs......and most of all, the one thing that really made me not fear the "road less traveled" was the road that led me to the Sweetie Man. Without getting long-winded here, as I know I've talked about "being who you truly are" in the past, my son, Sweetie Man, and myself have chosen to go down another "Less Traveled Road" in our lives....actually at the urging of my son. I'm not going to go into it in detail, as most of you would probably say, "oh, good for you, no big deal!" as I would expect anyone to say....except......unfortunately some. Those who want to heap unsolicited guilt on me for wanting what, in my heart, (and the hearts of my son and fiance) truly trust will give us yet more happiness and understanding of the lives we want to lead as well as our relationship with each other......I will say no further on this as I may dig myself in a hole here, but the bottom line is......two things I hope you get out of this posting:
1. If someone you know, wants to make a change in their life, whether it be a new job, having a baby, changing religions, moving out of state......wish them well. IF THEY ASK FOR YOUR ADVICE, (or if you feel the NEED to give advice for some reason) then give it POLITELY and LISTEN to THEIR reasons for the change without accusing and heaping guilt on them for their decision, without telling them how disappointed you are in them for even thinking of making a change.... and,
2. Don't be afraid...NEVER ever be afraid to walk down the path less traveled. Listen to your heart, take a chance. You only have one "go-round" in this life....BE HAPPY.....for me it made ALL the DIFFERENCE....and I believe it will work for me...for us....again!
Till tomorrow, yinz crazy guys.....

13 Comments:

ollie1976 said...

Thanks for the advice Lucy-great words of advice

Seeds of Doom said...

As your companion on "the road less traveled" I owe my steady gait and determined pace to you who inspires me onward, with the smiles you beam showing me the way, your shiny golden hair caressing my face as you walk ever close at my side. Life's never-ending series of twists and turns were never as exciting, as promising, as satisfying before our paths crossed, converged and became one.

LG said...

Hi dear Lucy, I´m so happy I can visit you again. And look what a wonderful post I found... thanks for sharing.

Mimi said...

I cant wait to know more about this Lucy :) Thanks for the advice, I have thought about that too when my sister left home to live in U.K. and follow her heart. I know she broke our father's heart, but I didnt say anything to make her feel guilty.

Robin said...

Ahh Lucy;
Two things happened today that underscores your post. First the terrible shootings at Virgina Tech. As a parent of a college age child I am sure ,as you are, how grateful you felt to know your child was safe and how saddened over the loss of so many innocent people. And today I was driving home and my car brakes just stopped working. I barely was able to stop the car on a major highway and I had my son in the car! It was no big deal but it could have been. How short life truly is. We owe it to ourselves to make the very best of it. What is that saying "Dance as if no one is watching, sing as if no one is listening and live each day as if it could be your last" Good luck in taking that less traveled road! (By the way that is my favorite Frost poem as well as "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening") :)

Anonymous said...

What is going on? Are you moving? Are you not telling me something??????? :) And whoever is telling you things is stupid. Is it my mom?

Court said...

You give great advice.. Hope things are well. We take things for granted to many times to count. We do need to take the road less traveled from time to time. I love you for who you are Lucy!! You have been a wonderful friend even though we are far away. : )

ollie1976 said...

congrats on the half pound!

The Silver Thistle said...

Bon Voyage! for your trip along life's less travelled road Lucy! Wherever it takes you (and you must know that I'm DESPERATELY nosey now, lol) I know you'll have fun getting there, and being there.

And 'pfffft' to anyone who has anything to say against it!

Court said...

Hey way to go on your 2.5 lbs!! WHOO HOOO!

Anonymous said...

Nicely put! Congrats on 2.5. WTG!!

Anonymous said...

What?! Are you going to tell us what you are up to?! After reading your post, I MUST KNOW!!

Well, whatever it is, more power to you!!

stitcherw said...

Lovely poem. You're so right on needing to be able to take chances and do what it important to you. It is hard to be different sometimes, but being able to make a decision based on what is right for you makes a huge difference. So many people give advice, but one needs to remember that it is always from that person's perspective, what is right for them. They mean well, but no one can make a decision for you and have it be the right one except yourself.
Sue