To Move Forward or to Stand Still - That is the question

Hi guys

I want to first congratulate my friend Haneen on achieving her doctorate. I am so proud of you.

Over my life, I have spent much time contemplating the lines in Robert Frost’s poem especially the last two lines which are

‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference’  (excerpt from poem by Robert Frost)

There have been numerous interpretations of this poem which I will not go into as this poem may mean something different to everyone. What we can agree on is that in life we often face crossroads (two roads which diverge). If you choose to go down one road it usually means you can’t go down another at the same time.

For some people, the fear of choosing a road, that is, making a decision on moving forward paralyses them. Some decisions are easy and others much harder. I totally agree that making decisions especially life changing decisions can be scary. I think not making a decision is scarier though. When you put off making a decision and instead you are forced into a decision, or allow others to decide for you or simply compromise or ignore a situation or opportunity because it is the ‘easier’ thing to do, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Instead seize the opportunity to make a decision. It is your life. You have to live with the decisions you or anyone else make. So therefore in my mind, it makes sense for you to make and own your decisions. There may always be naysayers and those who disagree or think you are making a foolish choice. There will be those who might be jealous you are moving forward or doing something different (crab in the bucket mentality). Who cares? Follow your heart and follow your dreams and that is what will make the difference.

To all the people who had the courage to make often difficult decisions...I tip my hat to you.

·        Those who made a decision to give up ‘stable jobs’ and followed or will follow their dream to start a business

·        Those who made calculated (well thought out) decisions to buy or build a home in a difficult economy

·        Those who made a decision to marry who they love even when others tried to discourage them or those who moved far away to follow their love

·        Those who made and stuck with decisions to lose weight and take control of their lives and health

·        Those who chose to walk away from abusive relationships and stand strong and tall because they know their worth

These are real examples of real people I know who made decisions often choosing to take the road less travelled by. These are people I know who are happy with the road they have chosen to travel.

What about you? Are you at a cross road? Is there a decision that you have been struggling with or putting off making? Have you stopped to pray about it?  If not, do so now. It’s true that prayer and faith changes things. I know.

Say Yes to making those decisions you have been putting off today. I am.