A breakup. A new job. A death. A move. When friends part ways. Just a few of the major events in the lives of people I know, including myself. And these events shape us, change us, move us forward. Or, in some cases, move us in a completely new direction.
I was talking with a friend today about how lately I've felt like I'm the backwards version of Robert Frost's "I took the road less traveled and that has made all the difference." I feel like I've taken the road everyone's traveled and I haven't really blazed my own trail. I haven't really done anything with my life. I've played it safe. And gosh darn it, I want to stop doing the same thing, following the same pattern. I need to risk more and perhaps I will gain more.
I've been told, "Everything happens for a reason." And I want to believe this is true. Sometimes it doesn't feel true, but I can't prove otherwise. I mean sometimes we don't know why something has happened in our life until many days, weeks, months or even years later. And maybe we never know why certain things happen. But maybe we're not supposed to. Even so, it's almost comforting to know that perhaps whatever we do is our life. Or maybe not so comforting? Hmmmm...I'm still contemplating this concept.
So, perhaps all the choices I've made so far have led me to this point in my life, for a reason. I mean, why not right? And while I don't know what the reason is yet, I am willing to explore the possibility that I have some more choices to make, easy and hard. I will take those chances, er choices, to make a life for myself that I am proud of. A life that I am excited to be living.
That being said, I know that whatever choices I make, however small or large, will shape my future. That's a given. And while I am always hoping that the choices I make will lead me to someplace I'm truly happy with, I have to accept that there are bound to be many more mistakes and misjudgements, mixed in with happy accidents and kismet.
So, I'm gonna bypass the "road more traveled" and opt instead to kick a few stones and scuff the dirt to create a path all my own. I urge those who read this to do the same.
Carpe Diem!
