The Path Not Taken
[Note from the Proprietor: This is one of an ongoing series of posts called Scenes From a Sidewalk. Want to know what it's all about? Follow that link to read the series introduction.]
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Today’s thought is a short one – I think. (Hey, you never know with me!)
OK, so I was moseying along my sidewalk the other day, mindin’ my own business, when lo and behold, I come across this side path (see the photo below). It’s different from the more permanent sidewalk in that it’s simply a gravel path – albeit a nicely groomed one. I dunno; somehow the use of gravel rather than concrete suggests it’s merely an alternative instead of the recommended way to get where you’re goin’, if you get my meanin’.
Whenever you run across an alternative path, it raises some serious questions, doesn’t it? Do you take the less-than-perfect path? Where will it lead? Is it risky? Why is it not made of a more permanent substance? Does that suggest it’s not the, y’know, right way? Which way do most other folks go? And a multitude of others.
(OK, I know it’s just a short path across a lawn. Try to work with me here, won’t you? I’m exercisin’ what’cha might call my poetic license, serial # 92-B39ZC, issued by the State of Insanity.)
The Road Taken – or Not
Have you ever taken an alternative path in your life? I have. Sometimes I freely chose to go in a different direction. Every now and then I had it, um, thrust upon me, if you follow me. Sometimes the path led to a, well, less than optimal situation. Other times, I ended up in a far better place than I had envisioned at the beginning.
The thing is, each time a choice is made, then opportunity comes along with it. It’s up to us to make the most of it, whether we chose that particular course – or not. It ain’t always as easy takin’ the clean, concrete, well-marked path as you would think. Sometimes, the less-travelled path is actually the better one – for you.
In any case, I’m just sayin’, y’all; there may be opportunity out there, if you’re lookin’ for it. But if you don’t take the alternative course – if you continue to cling to the nice, neat path that was created for you by someone else – you may just miss it!
Is it time to take a risk?
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Photo: Gravel Path, by Robert Hruzek
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Note from the Proprietor: This is also an entry for this month’s What I Learned From… groupwrite project. If you’d like to join the fun, just click on that link and read all about it. Everyone is welcome – you may even win a free prize!
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11 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
I do try to stay on The Narrow Road, and it is often viewed by others as the alternate course because they choose not to follow the Lord. To me there is no alternative to that, and if He leads me down a path no one is taking, so much the better for me to give Him the glory and follow.
AndyCs last blog post..Bible Versions
Hi Robert, Like you, I’ve taken several 180 degree turns, some planned, others not so much. Either way, it’s been a fun ride so far. With all due respect to Andy, I don’t think there’s anything narrow about The Narrow Road. When you make up your mind to follow God, you start becoming more aware of your choices – no cruising on auto pilot. Sometimes, staying on the straight and narrow, answering God’s call, involves real changes in what we do and where we’re going.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Pounding the Pavement Is One Tough Way to Sell
I was a physics major in college, which is fairly serious and rigorous. So one day just before class as I was frantically finishing up my homework, four fellow students sat down next to me and tried to convince me to go to Stanford in Germany with them the following year. I told them they were crazy and go away so I could finish.
After class they tried again. The argument was we couldn’t afford to take two quarters away from physics, so if eight of us could get in the program we could teach ourselves Electricity and Magnetism over there. They wanted me because I was great at solving problems, even if the answers always waited until the last minute to appear before my anxious mind. Anyway, I’m a sucker for independent study and got hooked on the idea. Unfortunately only four of us got accepted. Two of them dropped the idea… they couldn’t afford going if we couldn’t do E&M over there. One fellow switched his major to math, and I went but stayed in physics. It meant a horrendous senior year, but it was well worth it. I survived and I remember a lot more about those seven months than I do about the physics I was supposed to have learned.
Later when my husband-to-be got his Ph. D. we married and spent 13 months in France and then spent two months coming back to the States the long way… the Middle East, East Africa, India, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. At the time we each had $4000 saved up. We spent half of it traveling around Europe on weekends and vacations and the other $4000 on the trip back. The exchange rate was fantastic at the time and it was one of the biggest bargains of our lives. Hurray for the alternative path.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Going On an Artist’s Date
Hi there,
Maybe “alternative paths” are called like that only by us, or generally by people who need to categorize things. Maybe these paths are just normal paths according to the Providence.
I think the key is to pay attention to all the signs around and when the moment of using our freewill comes, we must act according to what we feel and have faith.
Acting impeccably always neutralize any possible late regret.
@Andy – What you say is true; the narrow path is a narrow path because it’s not used as often. Is it best for you? Only you can answer that one!
Hey, thanks for dropping by, Bubba!
@Brad – Interesting thought, that! Following God certainly makes me more aware of what I’m doin’ – or tryin’ to do!
@Jean – Wow, that’s quite a journey! All the better for it, though.
@Alex – “Acting impeccably”? Hey, that sounds nice, but… can you think of anyone who always acts that way?
I’m just sayin’.
I’ll say take the risks, as life without risks would be a dull and boring life…
Hi Robert:
I’m @ellifordyce who just tweeted you about my son, Rod Collins. We’re not very connected so I don’t mention him because of any agenda but who knows, you’re both there, maybe there’s a reason it came up.
As far as paths taken and not taken, check out http://r27creativelab.blogspot.com/2008/01/elli-fordyce-whats-you-type.html by @r27 who is doing a series (new piece is due momentarily if not already live) in which I answer questions about my life and he puts graphic inspiration with it. Taken lots of paths in 72 (nearly) years. New one about to launch.
Best,
Elli
@Howdy Elli! I’m impressed, to say the least. Hey, you never know where life is gonna take you, especially if you’re not afraid of adventure, y’know? And yes, it’s never too late for a new one. At least, I hope not – I’ve still got a few up my sleeve I’d like to try.
A tip o’ the hat for finding your way to the Middle Zone!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Guest Post at “What Would Dad Say”