A Left Path or The Road Less Traveled

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

    Starting a new year is interesting. Somehow in western culture rather than seeing it as just another day on the road, we seem to view it as taking a turn onto a new road. And since that is the mindset that I exist in I'm really aiming to turn on the left road or path. In ending 2017 I took some very active steps to contract my role at my work. The wanted me on an expanding career path of leadership, but I chose a contracting path to focus on my clinic and avocations. They weren't happy, but for the first time in my work history, I really am saying no. Usually I do say yes eventually, but there was an internal shift in recent months and I know that I will not.

    I am preparing to retire from clinical social work and work in other areas including life coaching in the next few years. Although not required I am taking a certification course. I'm also increasing time spent with my music, art and when I can photography (not as active as I once was, but still will on occasion take up a shoot, like my sister's wedding).  I'm not sure where these roads will lead, but for me they have been far less traveled and I have a feeling choosing them to go down in 2018 will make all the difference. And no, to answer a question a friend asked about it,  I'm not scared...I don't scare easy.

    Scare Easy, 'Mudcrutch':