Monday, February 11, 2008

The Road Not Taken


When I was a little girl, I often thought about the GREAT things that I wanted to do. For so long in my youth, I wanted to GET OUT of South Bend; I always thought that this place had nothing for me. I wanted to move into a BIG CITY somewhere, anywhere…anyplace but here…

However, as I’ve grown up, gotten married, finished college, and began my pursuit for these ‘GREAT’ things, the focus has somewhat shifted…the ‘GREAT’ has taken on a new form…I am reminded that sometimes, the little things are what matter most. Sure, being in the spotlight might be appealing to many, because really, we just want someone to notice; notice what we do and NOT take it for granted…but deep down, I think we all want to have made an impact on someone…to say someone else’s life is better because we took the time to LOVE them…

I believe that no matter where we're at...whether in a BIG CITY, in a small town, or in South Bend, LOVING someone is the key to being 'GREAT'...even when sometimes, you're the ONLY one who knows it...

The following is Robert Frost’s poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’; maybe you’ve read it, maybe not, but I must say, the words are poignant and give the sense that the ‘road less traveled’ does indeed, ‘make all the difference’! Believe in miracles...

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

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.

3 comments:

Head vs Heart said...

I love this poem by Robert Frost. LOVE IT!

Isn't it crazy how perspective changes as time goes on, and our lives change? Its no longer THAT important to go gung-ho on those motivational dreams that we had when we were 20 years old, and ready to take on the world. Not that we couldn't have, but we become content with what God has in store for us, instead of bulldozing our own paths. Its a good feeling. And its also an easier-resting way.
My highschool science teacher gave me the following poem at graduation and I'll never forget it - that was 10 years ago (wow...that long?? haha!) but I think you'll enjoy. Be blessed!! I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! Thank YOU for YOUR encouraging words as well....You're amazing, and I really appreciate it!!! (I'll get back to my blog soon, I promise. Time is not my friend right now. ha!). On to the poem...

Be The Best of Whatever You Are
By Douglas Malloch

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley-but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.

If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass-
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can't all be captains, we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here,
There's big work to do, and there's lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are!

Anonymous said...

Good morning Emily...you said:

"Sure, being in the spotlight might be appealing to many, because really, we just want someone to notice; notice what we do and NOT take it for granted."

Two things...first I would have to agree w/ you. (at least in my case) that desire to be in the spotlight is really just the desire to be noticed...as a little boy who felt very "unnoticed" and unappreciated, negative attention was better than no attention at all..so I was obnoxious.
Secondly, I loved the poem. I don't think I've ever read it. (I'd heard of the title)..
The road less traveled is a nice word picture..and spending your life, encouraging and loving people may not make you rich in terms of $ in this world, but it is still the road I choose as well..good post. DM

{Emily} Hey Sisters! Photography said...

To both of you…THANK YOU for your kind words…they mean SO MUCH!

I LOVE the poem from your high school teacher...how beautiful! I LOVE IT! It really is amazing how our perspectives change and how life just somehow shifts when we start to realize the IMPORTANT things. I’ve learned that being content with what I’ve got is the MOST important thing and in that, beautiful things flourish. It’s amazing what God has done and what He continues to do…it really is a good feeling! Thank you for your words…they mean so much! I know time is of the essence, so I totally understand! Look forward to reading more of your work soon! Take care and BE BLESSED! THANK YOU!

DM, thank you as well for your comments! I am so blessed that people want to read my writing. I LOVE this forum! Thank you for sharing your personal moments as well…glad you like the poem as well! It’s one of my favorites! Look forward to reading more of your work…and again, THANK YOU for reading…sincerely!

God Bless!! ~Emily