Ring of Fire
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
8 strong, including one FNG, whom we named Squirtle. J-Lo not tagged.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Recently, a friend’s blog led me to revisit one of my favorite poems, The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (note the title… The Road Not Taken, NOT The Road Less Traveled):
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.
A common misconception about this poem is that the road that the protagonist takes truly is less traveled, and as such has some additional inherent worth than the other road. But upon closer reading, the two paths are actually equal, the other path being “just as fair” and was worn “really about the same”. Having this pointed out to me was fascinating, as I had never noticed it before. Two key conclusions can thus be made:
- The paths are essentially equal in worth, and therefore, picking one over the other is essentially like flipping a coin.
- The way we perceive choices affects our decision and the ultimate outcome. The author PERCEIVES that one path seems to be less traveled, and takes it, and as he says in the last line, “that has made all the difference”.
But what affects our perception?? This is where I see a bit of a religious meaning in the poem. Two options exist. Which one to choose? I tend to agonize over big decisions, and have prayed over such choices, asking God to direct me down the best path. But there may not truly be a “best path”… each may have its own advantages and disadvantages. But for me at least, given some time, my preference of one path over the other grows stronger, and I select it. And you know what? Each big choice has worked out. That doesn’t mean that if I had picked a different path my life would be in flaming ruins. But God has gently guided me down the roads that have lead me to where I am today, and I am very grateful that He is with me to help me choose, even if the choices are relatively equal. Don’t beat yourself up over the choices you make. Sometimes we choose well, sometimes, perhaps poorly, but open your heart to God and let him help lead you down whatever path your life takes.
PROVERBS 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
ISAIAH 30:21
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide me
and a light for my path.
MOLESKIN:
Good luck to the Ruckers competing this week-end!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
