By Markie Doczi | Featured Contributor
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost has always resonated with me. As a writer, I can appreciate a good simile, and I always want to live my life like he describes in this poem. I think this logic applies to daily life, both the big and the little things. For example, I have always believed in daring to be different, and I take it as a compliment when people call me weird. The only time I go with the flow is when I’m floating down a lazy river!
This is not to say that I live some eccentric lifestyle: I’m married, we have a mortgage, and I’m scratching my head about how to keep the critters out of my garden. And as much as I would love to travel overseas one day, you don’t have to backpack across Europe to take the road less traveled!
To me, it’s as simple as deciding not to always be in a hurry. Take a lazy day every now and then, read a book. Stop at a yellow light instead of taking it as a challenge.
It’s taking the time to stay in contact with relatives, instead of ending up like so many of us who lose someone and feel the inevitable remorse at having lost touch. I get it- everyone has their own lives, and it’s almost impossible to keep up with everyone. But there is something to be said about prioritizing. Let your loved ones know they’re loved.
It’s as big as not giving in to peer pressure. Yes, I said peer pressure; that thing that we associate with kids and school, but which is actually everywhere and never goes away! Don’t protest something because ‘everyone else’ is; and likewise, don’t let your voice be silenced because it’s not the common opinion. Like I’m always telling my stepdaughter, know your mind and form your own opinions about things.
And it’s as easy as choosing happy! Granted, this is not always easy to accomplish, but it is an easy decision. We all have bad days, and some of us have depression, bad tempers or other issues. My philosophy on this is, hey- life sucks on a good day! Bills are stressful, emergencies and accidents happen, people fight… that’s just how it is. But find whatever brings you peace, whether it’s a hammock (which I have) or a hobby (of which I have too many), and do that thing that brings you joy. Because if you choose happy, you will inevitably bring happiness to others.
“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.”
– excerpt from The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost
How have you taken the road less traveled?
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Sir you are doing a great job this was really thoughtful one. I’m 16 years old preparing for medical just recently started blogging.have a beautiful day
First off I love Robert Frost! I have taken the road less travelled as well when I decided to start college as a sophomore and keep going after 8+ years and a very bad experience.
Wow, good for you! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, Maggie!
I’m really working on it! Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you so much for reading. Hey nobody’s perfect, sometimes I have to take my own advice!
Thanks for sharing, Markie Doczi! I learned this poem in middle school and at the time, I could not appreciate it as much as I do now.
If you really want to take the road out less traveled, then try stopping at a green light. Caution, I’m just jiving!
I’d like to believe that “I march to the beat of my own drum.”
Lol Stacy! I’m not sure I could take it that far 😆 If I’m being honest I’d be the person yelling at the person stopped at a green light!
Same here! If there is a lesson to be learned, it’s to make calculated moves in this journey called life. I’m happy to know that I put a smile on your face! Blessings
Great poem I got nicknamed Robert Frost at one point in college because I was always doing different things. Now I’m a teacher in foreign countries. This was a great blog post.
Thank you, I appreciate that! I love to write so much and am always grateful for the chance to reach a wider audience. I’d love it if you stopped by my blog! There are lots of thoughtful pieces like this, along with poetry and historical series on random subjects 🙂
https://southpawpoet.org
Hi Phoebe. Your blog is one of the best I have seen and I appreciate the work you put in here. It’s quite an inspiring site.
I just wanted to inform you that I nominated you for the 2021 Aesthete Blogger Award. You may go through my post on it and do as the rules say.
Thank you Dera, you are too kind to think of me! Have a beautiful day!
There was a poetry prompt on this topic during NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month). it is always easier to tread the well worn path, but not always the most beautiful or rewarding.
Next Steps
Every decision creates
A multitude of paths left behind
Untread
Undisturbed
Undiscovered
Unknown
Turn around to see
The way that you made be
The past quickly disappears
As the path grows up behind
Blocking reversal
The way ahead
Can’t see beyond another fork
Left or right?
Very interesting! I’ve heard of NaNoWriMo but I think the poetry would be more my speed. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
This year was the first for both challenges. With the poetry, I was very happy with all my creations, and I put them in a collection. As for the NaNoWri, it gave me the push to write longer (I usually write short stories), and since I didn’t hit the 50k word target, it’s still going on.
That’s interesting! I’ve just launched my new copywriting business (Articulate Copy) so I’m pretty focused on that right now, but I’m still trying to get my historical fiction published on the side- and I think I will always write poetry! ❤
This is great Markie. I have said happiness is a choice for years thanks for putting it down again
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Laugh! You will never regret it
Right! It is. Thanks so much!
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So well written and so totally true.
Thank you! And thanks for reading.
Yes, to the road less traveled – most of the time. I think the hardest thing for me was admitting that sometimes, I choose to go with the flow – as long as it’s going my direction.
Thanks for your comment. Look let’s be honest, life is like child-rearing; sometimes you have to choose your battles!
Great coincidence!! These days teaching this poem as a part of the school curriculum and every time I feel equally driven to explain the poem. This is an everlasting and evergreen poem.
I agree! Thanks so much for reading.
I take it every time…
The Road Less Travelled by M. Scott Peck is a regular source if inspiration for me. <3
That’s great! Thanks for reading.
Thank you Phoebe for sharing this! I hope it encourages someone today.
I once stood on a path in Panfilov Park Almaty, Kazakhstan and realised I had taken the path less travelled