Traveling Through

“Two roads diverged in the woods and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” ~Robert Frost

This is one of my favorite lines, from one of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, in his poem titled The Road Not Taken. I often think of these words as I make choices, large or small, in my daily walk through life. As well, I wonder what “difference” did the road “less traveled” make in the author’s mind and life? In other words, what did Robert Frost mean with this concluding line of his poem? Was the difference favorable, or did it lead to trouble, regret, and ultimately destruction? After all, the poem was titled The Road Not Taken, not the road that I took.

With all this put aside, in my own mind and life, I believe that the “less traveled” road has paid off for me. Perhaps it is my lack of desire to follow others, or my stubborn rebellion (not wanting to be told what to do) that “has made all the difference.” I really am not sure. I just know that, like the old saying goes, walking to my own drum beat has really taken me to a place in life where I feel content, grounded, and whole. I think about all the other directions that my life could have gone, all the other paths I could have taken, and I cannot fathom where those roads would have taken me. Or even if those roads could have taken me to a better place than where I am right now. Perchance it is not the road, at all, but it is the perception that we acquire as we travel through.  

Today is a wonderful day to take a step back and catch a glimpse of what it is that we are seeing when we look at our own lives. Perhaps if we do, we may see that this path that we have taken was laid out before us all along.

Beneath the Surface

Working with adolescents has both its challenges and blessings. On most days, a combination of the two can be expected to ebb and flow within an academic setting. However, on any particular day, when a teen does offer a significant challenge, I have learned that there is always some sort of pain, anger, sadness, or fear behind the offending behavior. Really, it does make sense because when given enough pressure, stress, pain, or instability even the most balanced person can, and probably will, act out in a negative manner which may affect those around them in a less than favorable way.

This is exactly what I experienced today as one normally level-headed young man came to me and, after being questioned, poured out the shocking reason why his academic performance and daily behavior has begun to spin in a seemingly downward spiral. Who would have ever guessed that this calm, polite, and respectful young man had experienced the sudden and tragic difficulties that he so earnestly described to me today. Without revealing his details, for the sake of an interesting blog, I must say that I did walk away from the situation in awe of how heavy a burden that many people carry and unless revealed, the person on the receiving end may never look past the behavior to see the person underneath.

Now, this may or may not be a great revelation; nonetheless, it can serve as a reminder that as we interact with others, throughout our day, we can never be sure what they may be dealing with. With this realization, perhaps we can do our part to react with compassion, gentleness, and understanding when those around us behave in ways that we deem inappropriate. After all, you cannot make a person act the way you may want them to; however, you can look beneath the surface to see the true person that lies behind the walls. Just a thought…

Day of Rest

Sundays, known commonly as a day of rest, can in reality be a day full of activity. Getting up early and putting on one's "Sunday Best" (which may include heels that are not so restful) and then rushing the family out to what can become only a weekly spiritual social gathering if we are not very careful. Unfortunately, after the early morning activities conclude, this day of rest can leave one feeling less rested than the prior days devoted to work. At least this is what my own Sunday's looked like for so many years. Recently and somehow mysteriously, I fell out of this tradition/habit... and when I honestly think about it I am really not sure how it came about. Instead, I managed to fill my Sundays with other activities like studying or chores. This too lacking any rest that a Sunday is known for.

Today's Sunday was different. Coffee in bed (actually that is the usual) then a little Joel Olsteen before my waffles, slithered in syrup, were so generously served to me by my kind and giving husband. Curling up with my little dog, despite his need for a thorough bath, and reading a fast moving and excellent book on my coveted Kindle Fire. Boy, do I love that little finagley gadget! (Yes, finagley is not really a word!) And finally, a shower and yoga (in that order) sometime in the afternoon. Now, that has been restful.

I suppose I will soon regain my lost tradition for the day of rest, especially since it has been on my mind more and more these days. Nevertheless, until that day occurs, today's day of rest fed my body, spirit, and mind in exactly the way that was needed... today.

Dinner at Mom's house

Today is my mom's annual St. Paddy's Day dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage. Sounds great on the surface; however, this yearly event can prove to be terrifying. You see, I strongly believe that she solely cooks this meal, not for the love of corned beef and cabbage, but to pinch every guest (including my little dog) who is not wearing green. As a result, in anticipation, I am feverishly looking for some small thread of green to wear in order to survive this upcoming delicious dinner. Past thoughts of my mom, who is Puerto Rican and not even Irish and her tendency to pinch everyone on every March 17th, run through my mind as I settle on an old green flowered shirt that I found stuffed in the drawer under all the other shirts that I would prefer to wear today. Oh well, at least the dinner will be delicious and I know that I will once again survive another yearly dinner at mom's to celebrate St. Paddy's Day. Who is this St. Paddy anyway??? Oh well, time to go!