Robert Frost wrote the poem entitled, The Road Not Taken. Do you know it?
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.
Following yesterday’s melancholy, I was thinking about the choices I made in my 20’s and how they led me to where I am. There must be something in the air because even though I’m not doubting where I presently am, I’m wondering what might have happened if I hadn’t made a few key choices.
Do you ever think like that? When/if you look back in hindsight, can you see where you came to the fork in the road and chose one way over another? I can. And while I wouldn’t have the kids I do (well, probably not) if I had chosen differently and I would never want to not have those special darlings in my life, I can see how it unfolded due to my choices. And I’m completely ok with my choices, But…
I took the road most traveled by because I was scared of change and what people would think if I packed up and moved to Europe. Having lived there before as a student, I loved it. But I feared that the shine would diminish if I went back there to work and had to deal with being so far from my family. And of course, there was a man involved as well, but I wasn’t brave enough to take that huge leap into the unknown with him.
I don’t normally waste time in thinking those what if’s very much, but yesterday’s post brought up a lot for me. Maybe there’s some type of spiritual clearing that’s going on? Do you know if that’s possible?
Can you see where your choices have landed you where you are right now? Are you grateful or do you still wonder what if?
Totally grateful for what I have….though there is one “what if”……but I’m ok with that
LikeLike
I’m so glad you’re ok with it. I am too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adds a little mystery….
LikeLike
I’m giggling. I know what you mean LA!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m at a fork in the road now. 🙂 Midlife is so hard.
LikeLike
Reach out. I’m here to help. Been there before myself, but it gets better. Hang in there. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really don’t do what ifs, but that is mostly because, as awful as a lot of things have been at different points over the years, I love where I am and I’m grateful to be there. I think the mindset of that developed after watching too many people in my life being really discontent with life, even if there were a lot of good things in that life, and being unhappy all the time because they spent all their time upset that those pieces didn’t go the way they wanted. I try to choose to focus on the things that go right because of that.
LikeLike
I love your mindset TJ! Awesome! I feel similarly, but write because I think we all have that occasional twinge of nostalgia or what if’s that come without warning. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do sometimes think about how things could be different, but it is often in the frame of being funny and goofy about it, something that happens with the kids’ input and can lead to some really weird places that are hilarious.
LikeLike
I love that you always bring humor! What a great mom and friend you are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I look at my kids, I know that every mistake I made in my life lead up to having them in my life. So the ledger is balanced up to that point.
For some reason in my late 30’s with two kids I decided to get my MBA from University of Phoenix. I had no idea how much work that would be!
But that degree was a factor in getting my last two jobs. I now work for a great company and sometimes cannot believe how much they may me to do what I do.
So, professionally I’ve made some good decisions.
I also began running when I was 38 and running is now a big part of my life. Another good decision.
There’s not enough room here to review all of my mistakes, or decisions that lead to less than optimal outcomes.
LikeLike
But each and every road taken, each choice, has led you to this precise moment in your life which is good as you’ve listed! While we can look back with regrets, to feel peace in this present moment is key.
It truly sounds like you’ve made good decisions, in your job, your education, you health (running)! I’m so proud of you!
And as for the kids, how wonderful that you have them! :).
Thank you so much for sharing!!
LikeLike