That has made all the difference
I believe the original words from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost go like this: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I– I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” As you can see, the one in the image is more fitting. It’s also the way I’ve heard the most and the quote that came to mind when I thought of which quote to use with this photograph (also from my Herblingen Castle walk).
Another quote I was considering using claimed that it doesn’t matter what road you take because they all go to the same place, but I’m not sure I believe that. I think we choose our paths, detours, shortcuts, scenic view routes, (avoided) bumps, toll roads, etc. and the way we choose takes us to some place different. Whether or not that place is where we need to be is a different matter.
This year I could have chosen to not worry about school and I’d be on a completely different road. Today, after sending tons of emails and not getting any good responses (yet), I could just give up, but I’m not going to in hopes that I will be able to go to university, that it’ll all work out. The road we choose to take really does make all the difference.
I hope all of you have amazing weekends that will take you only on good roads. I’ve had a beyond busy past couple of weeks and I can’t wait to get at least a little bit of relaxation in!
20 August 2011 / Misc. or Me
Tags: photography, quote, robert frost
Comments
20 August 2011 - 2:26 pm
Beautiful photo to accompany Frost’s words (only slightly modified for effect!) 🙂 I’ve often wondered how many of our choices are entirely left to us, and how many (if any) are pre-destined. It does often feel that no matter what I think I want, Fate seems to have a different plan, and I never win those battles!
Are you a Rumi fan? He was a 13th century Sufi poet, and I plan to do a post devoted to some of my favorite works of his someday. My latest post even quotes the first two lines from one of them, which I’m sharing here, but mostly so you can see the original that inspired the second poem I’m sharing since it’s another about choosing the path you take. I thought you might like it…
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill.
Where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.
~Jelaluddin Rumi
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you
The market only wants to buy and sell you
Fight to stay awake
Choose the path you take
Even if you don’t know where it’s going
Trust your own unknowing
(Don’t go back to sleep.)
~Jan Garrett
20 August 2011 - 10:55 pm
I agree with you completely. And yes, don’t give up. If you want it bad enough, and it looks like you do!, you will get into uni.
21 August 2011 - 3:22 am
I’ve been thinking about this. I guess we do choose the road and the world determines the landscape. I know your road is a good one, Eva. I hope you find the landscape easy and beautiful.
21 August 2011 - 1:44 pm
I love this quote (and the photo!). I often think my life’s been full of forks in the road and options to choose a path. I find that I usually take the road less chosen. And like the wise Frost said… “that has made all the difference.” The choice to go my own way, chart my own path has certainly led me to discovering more of myself and understanding my place in this world. Had I followed others and taking the road more traveled, I don’t believe that I’d be in the place I am today.
22 August 2011 - 3:02 pm
I sometimes just for the love of it, take not so appealing road. Even thought i know i’m gonna be late. Why not enjoy it, i say.
22 August 2011 - 8:08 pm
Very true, Eva dear. I think one of the best things in life is discovering all of the paths and determining which ones work for us and which ones don’t. Sometimes “getting lost” along the way is the best part.
22 August 2011 - 11:42 pm
This poem is a special one to me. I often share it with students who are trying to decide “which path to take”-the decision to become a teacher is a big one once you start dealing with the magnitude of your decision.
Want to move to Atlanta? We have a great University here…the scenery pales in comparison though. 🙁
24 August 2011 - 1:18 am
I know it will work out for you Eva! I hope encouragement comes your way soon : )
26 August 2011 - 2:01 am
Thank you to each one of you for your words of encouragement. I’m still unsure how things are going to turn out for me, I feel like I keep reading the map wrong and going in circles and getting lost. We’ll see…
Laloofah – I’d not heard of Rumi before. Thank you for sharing each poem. I think it’s about time I start to trust the road and where I’m going much more and then, finally, I might end up where I want to be.
20 August 2011 - 3:42 am
No truer words lady.