The Road Not Taken
Ol’ Bobby Frost was on to something. The funny thing though, at least to me, is that I feel like most people would agree that the road less traveled is the one they would prefer. Why, then, do so many of us choose to only travel well-paved roads? I mean sure.. I see the bell curve in everything, and of course there is a bit of that here.. but I can’t help but feel like there is more going on. A few months ago, when I first started telling folks that I was quitting my job and going to travel aimlessly for a while, one of them said “You know, you’re kind of living out everyone’s fantasy right now.” I didn’t think on it for too long back then (maybe because I was/am the goober that doesn’t mind to just jump), but I can’t help but wonder now why that is the case. If people want to do something, why don’t they? At the risk of projecting, or maybe I’m just not so different than my fellow apes, perhaps it has to do with the stories we tell ourselves. We can get so caught up in all of these things we SHOULD do. All of the priorities and life milestones that we SHOULD value and adhere to. You know the path I’m talking about. What could possibly be the road MORE traveled? We’ve all seen that movie. Sure.. good enough is fine. Fuck that though. Maybe that is the difference. Some of us have the courage to act. To take the risk. To dare to forge a different path and sign up for an adventure. My road certainly hasn’t seemed easy, although I have a feeling that is true for each of us from our unique perspectives. If that is indeed the case, let me attempt something novel. Why step in the same ruts that countless others have stepped in? I feel unique, so let me BE unique.. not in name only but let my actions demonstrate it. I enjoy being the tip of the spear, and honestly I would be bored otherwise. Is the difference only courage? I don’t think so. I often don’t feel super brave, even if in the relative sense I may actually be. Maybe it is only that I feel more at home in the uncertain. What are we all doing here anyway? Seeking certainty? That’s hilarious at best and a comfortable lie at worst. I’m just trying to make sense of it all, meet great people, and have a little bit of fun while doing it. The easy path is rarely the “right” one, in retrospect.. but sadly that retrospection is not one that many of us actually get to see. One day in the not so distant past, I began to accept that I am different. And that realization, my friends, that has made all the difference.
Stay Doomed.
Stay Punk.
-DP