The Road Not Taken | Filed under General
Here the love for life is always found for that is my passion, this is one of my little refuges from stress and the daily strife of the daily grind. For a few minutes we are going to take some time out and travel, the place we are going is a place many of you will be familiar with.
The Road Not Taken
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
…Robert Frost
On this journey here is some words of wisdom to take with you.
Take nothing for granted: watch water flow, the corn grow, the leaves blow, your neighbors mow.
Set your own pace. When someone is pushing you, it is okay to tell them they’re pushing.
Remember a happy, peaceful time in your past. Rest there.
Each moment has a richness that takes a lifetime to savor.
Taste your food. God gave it to delight as well as to nourish.
Notice the sun and the moon as they rise and set.
They are remarkable for their steady pattern of movement, not their speed.
Talk and play with children. It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.
When you walk with someone, don’t think about what you’ll say next. Thoughts will spring up naturally if you let them.
Quit planning how you are going to use what you know, learn or possess. God’s gifts just are; be grateful and their purpose will be clear.
Allow yourself time to be lazy and unproductive.
Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Listen to the wind blow. It carries a message of yesterday and tomorrow, and now. Now counts.
Create a place in your home, at your work, in your heart, where you can go for quiet and recollection. You deserve it.
Rest on your laurels. They bring comfort whatever their size, age or condition.
Talk slower. Talk less. Don’t talk. Communication isn’t measured by words.
Take time to think. Action is good and necessary, but it’s fruitful only if we muse, ponder and mull.
Listen to the song of a bird . . . the complete song. Music and nature are gifts, but only if you are willing to receive them.
Give yourself permission to be late sometimes. Life is for living, not scheduling.
Listen to the words you speak, especially in prayer.
Watch and listen to the night sky. It speaks.
Make time for play . . . the things you like to do.
Whatever your age, your inner child needs re-creation.
Slow down; God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all yourself right now.
When you find yourself rushing and anxious, stop! Ask yourself why you are rushing and anxious. The reasons may improve your self-understanding.
Divide big jobs into little jobs. If God took six days to create the universe, can you do any better?
Learn to stand back and let other take their turn as leaders. There will always be new opportunities for you to step out in front again.
Sit in the dark. It will teach you to see and hear, taste and smell.
Pet a furry friend. You will give and get the gift of now.
Take a day off alone; make a retreat. You can learn from monks and hermits without becoming one.
Direct your life with purposeful choices, not with speed and efficiency. The best musician is one who plays with expression and meaning, not the one who finishes first.
Take time to read . . . the Bible, poetry, great books. Thoughtful reading is enriching reading.
Take time to wonder. Without wonder, life is merely existence.
Work with your hands. It frees the mind.
Once in awhile, turn down the lights, the throttle, the invitations. Less really can be more.
Let go. Nothing is usually the hardest thing to do. . . but often it is the best.
Take a walk. . . but don’t go anywhere. If you walk just to get somewhere, you sacrifice the walking.
When things are in chaos and you are in a frenzy, ask yourself: What is right about now? Chances are, you already know what is wrong.
Just remember to take time, enjoy and make Life Simply Good!
October 6th, 2005 at 10:10 pm
Wow! There’s at least a half dozen of those I needed to hear Vickie, thank you again……God bless you dear friend, you just helped.
October 7th, 2005 at 5:38 am
The Road Not Taken is one of my favorites!
October 7th, 2005 at 6:21 am
I can see myself on that road in the photo. I do many of those.
October 7th, 2005 at 7:27 am
That is a beautiful photo and poem and once again, you’ve given me food for thought when I need it.
Take care, dear one! Love & hugs.
October 7th, 2005 at 8:19 am
I need to heed many of those wise words; I am working myself up to a stress attack.
October 7th, 2005 at 8:42 am
Where are you getting these gorgeous pictures? I love this one so much, it is my favourite season, don’tcha know!
October 7th, 2005 at 8:43 am
Back when I was in college and HATED poetry, that Robert Frost poem meant nothing to me. Now that I am old, it seems to say a lot and you did well with explaining it even more.
October 7th, 2005 at 11:21 am
Hey girl, poped in to wish you a great weekend! Cool here, I had to close the windoes!
October 7th, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Beautiful words, beautiful photo, beautiful you. Have a great weekend!
October 7th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
I love this poem by Robert Frost, one of my favorites…love your post as always.
October 7th, 2005 at 2:07 pm
Beautiful photo and poem. It is one of my favorites. Thanks for the encouragement.
October 7th, 2005 at 2:19 pm
“Communication is not measured by words”. What a great line!
Words could’nt communicate the serenity your picture conveys.
October 7th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
Hey, isn’t that the Grey Biker up ahead?
October 7th, 2005 at 6:02 pm
I love the look of your new site. The content continues to be outstanding. This post is no exception. I love coming here because it is so peaceful. I am going through several life-altering changes, so I needed many of these reminders to keep me focused. God bless you for this.
October 8th, 2005 at 12:02 am
I needed to read every word you wrote, and as always appreciate your beautiful spirit.
God bless.
October 8th, 2005 at 10:06 am
That photo is gorgeous; it conveys serenity just in viewing it.
“Set your own pace. When someone is pushing you, it is okay to tell them they’re pushing.”
Truer words were never spoken. No one controls what we do unless we let them.
October 8th, 2005 at 6:51 pm
Victoria, I don’t know how I got here but, oh my, I’m so glad I did. Your post is wonderful. I, too, just love Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken.” We were on vacation last year on a mountain highway where we could not stop and drove past a road sign “The Road Not Taken.” Can you imagine? No way to get a picture. But for now, at your advice, I think I’ll say “So Long” and go pet my furry friend! Thanks
October 8th, 2005 at 8:26 pm
I absolutely adore you dearest sister of my soul:)
October 9th, 2005 at 1:49 am
Thanks for that post Vicki,
Have a wonderful Weekend.
October 9th, 2005 at 5:02 am
As always, you are wonderful to read, Ms. V.
Brian on Audience of One listed us next to each other in his weekend mentions. I was honored to be there.
Enjoy your beautiful getaway, you deserve it
October 9th, 2005 at 3:58 pm
Frost has always been one of my favorites.
October 9th, 2005 at 5:13 pm
If I could be any place right now, I would want to be in a place with a road like that. I would want to take daily walks up and down that road and to think of all the wise words that people have told me over the years. To contemplate, to meditate and just to be.
October 9th, 2005 at 6:59 pm
One of the most famous poems ever written, for good reason.
October 9th, 2005 at 7:36 pm
That’s a great poem. Thanks for that. I needed that reminder.
October 10th, 2005 at 1:54 pm
[…] the other day i was writing, finally had an opportunity to allow myself to find my voice. I had planned to share it, then i read over at Always Victoria’s The Road Not Taken… so i did not take the road i was on… her posts give me such a positive view. It was good that i wrote, good for me to find that voice… not so necessary to share it anywhere. […]