The Road Less Travelled

There are always two roads; or maybe more than that and then one or some of them becomes the less travelled one. What road to take??

Asked generally, on a scale of 100; I get very mixed reactions. 55 people say, they will take the longer route because it gives them the pleasure of spending some time with themselves, while the remaining 45 people say that the shorter route is better; as they are out on some work and the path shouldnt allow them to lose the focus. But the difference of the two areas marked above is very small. Just 10.Considering the vagaries and unpredictibility of the human nature 10 people can easily change their stance depending on the factors mentioned below.

1. Purpose of travel: For some one who is in a hurry to get away to a destination the shorter path is the obvious choice. Its a universal law that children trotter to school and rush back home. On the other hand the rebellious teens do just the opposite. The company of friends is far more endearing than the confines of the home.

2. The Route: There can be a long route; that goes over the valleys and hills and has a brook in with clear shining waters that reflect the heaven above. Another can be a shorter one but dull and drab. The eternal dreamer will take the longer route irrespective of what waits at the end.

3. Mood: One of the greatest factors that affects human beings(I wonder if the animals are also affected by it???).for no obvious reasons we do things that might not make sense at all. The boss might be waiting in the office but give him a damn and take your time What is the most he or she will do?Sacking? Oh who cares?????

4.Mescellaneous: Other factors like the mode of transit, the weather, the fellow travellers and in a city like Delhi the traffic jams, the money in the pocket and the petrol in the vehicle play a major role in deciding the routes.

Imagine yourself to be a traveller who has a long way to go. The destination is not clear; meaning thereby; that each stop that you take gives an insight into what road has to be taken further. On this particular turn in the journey;its your last stop in a human settlement. Beyond there is nothing but vastness and loneliness. Having come a long way you are disillusioned by the length of the journey and the hardness of the terrain. There are no friends who can take the journey with you.Also if you start it may be weeks before you see another human face or speak a word. The path is difficult and it might b possible that you actually reach the end of life before the end of the journey What should be done? If you dont travel you are lost and if you do you are again lost.


How many times in life have you been assailed by such doubts? Of being there and not being there. Of giving up the smaller creature comforts for a larger good or retaining the happiness of everyone concerned at the price of one big sacrifice. In moments of such doubt what do you do? Listen to ur head or heart? You wanted to be a singer but ended up as a software engineer.One big sacrifice and everyone is happy. Or you give up the comforts of a 9:00 to 5:00 job to pursue the dreams of being a filmstar. Your friends and family call you a fool. What to do what not do?

In my opinion its possible to bring about a consensus between the head and the heart. The middle road. Dont give up on either of them. Be a successful software enginner and pursue music as a hobby. If you are really passionate about it nothing is ever going to stop you.And never forget that you might combine the 2 roads but then there are no short cuts to success. Everything requires dedication and passion.

In case you do not have the option to "combine" the 2 roads; take either of them. It s as simple as giving yourself two options and choosing one of them; blindfolded. Trust me each of the roads have an equal number of pros and cons. On some you reach the destination early while on the other you might find a friend who can drop you in his vehicle. Choose one and follow it whole heartedly. The boulder of problems appear on the way if you start looking back and repenting the road not travelled. If still nothing looks fine; dont get disillusioned. We often start cursing things and people based on the current scenario. looking in the big picture gives a lot of clarity and preciseness.However at the same time heed what others say. The mind should have the ability to filter the right from the wrong.eg. Going via a dangerous mountain path isnt advisible on a rainy evening no matter how beautiful the scenery may be.