Roads Less Traveled

Not all those who wander are lost.

—JRR Tolkien

Ever wondered why the apparently 'less traveled' road is the road to pick? Well, at least according to Robert-Frost. Maybe—if you read the whole poem, you might find a different meaning all together. But the concept I want to focus on is the one we often interpret in this poem—that taking a road less traveled apparently changes lives in a more positive way than taking a well-worn path. It's a concept I believe in (even though that might be contraditing Frost's actual point). So why does it work?

Well, the starter question is this: why is one road less traveled than the other? If we interpret the roads as pathways in life, we all consider our own road unique, or 'the one less traveled'. But take a closer look—and you will find that the roads that are the most unique, the ones that truly are less traveled, are the ones that are hard.

Not the unavoidably hard, the voluntarily hard. Ever chosen the hard road before? Maybe you have, maybe you haven't, but there is a universal truth about those roads—they are always the most rewarding. Why do you think?

We know that our problems, our struggles, our trials, our difficulties are what have shaped us into who we are today. It makes sense then that these same things that shape us most profoundly also develop our character most profoundly. With a good sense of our character, of who we are, comes confidence that isn't just inwardly felt, but outwardly expressed.

So go on—take the easy road. But you may discover that at the end of it, you still don't know who you are. Take the road less traveled and you will find that, while much more difficult, while longer, while darker in the moment, you will look back and be grateful you did.

How to distinguish these roads is a most intriguing concept. Interestingly, some people say that because of things like addictions or choices to follow gangs, they have experienced the hardest of roads. Take careful note: those who fall into a pit like that weren't the strong ones. The strong ones are the ones who withstood it from the very beginning, withstood it again and again and again, while the alcoholic gave into it again and again and again. You don't have to put yourself in a bad situation and then fight your way out of it in order to say you took the hard route. In fact, that's a terrible idea. Rather, withstand the temptation to do the things that you know are wrong, that you know tie you down, or that prick your conscience. To do that shows the greatest strength, and will bring forth the most delicious fruits.

Have you fallen? Are you stuck deeper into something than you ever thought you would be? Well you can still choose to change your path. Contrary to popular belief, you were not Born-This-Way. That's a complete lie. You always have control over who you are, and you can override your mistakes anytime. Who you are has nothing to do with who you can be. If you can't believe that, you've fallen even farther than you realize.

Don't give in to the temptation to sit back and let life come at you. You're in control! You're better than that!

This road is the hard path. There aren't a lot of friends on it. Most of the world may be against you, as a matter of fact. That's what makes it so uncommon. But you're good enough to reach above the rest and fly into the face of adversity. You have been prepared. Every experience thus far has merely been a preparation for the next one.

Be better than your enemies, it's as simple as that. Be the selfless one, the optimistic one, the happy one. Be the person that makes you confident, even when everyone around you is jeering. Do what you do for the right reasons and you won't find yourself under a bridge.

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Whatever you may do, you're not the only one. Someone else is or has fought your battle, and someone has come out of it on top. You can do it too. Be courageous and have hope. Things are never as bad as they may seem. It's all one great adventure! Don't let it slip by while you stand idle. Don't waste it! YOLO.