I've been training the past few weeks in preparation for my 1st EVER run that's happening this weekend; I'm participating in an 8K run to help raise awareness for neglected and abused children, #RunForTheChildren.
So this morning I tracked my run on Google Pedometer, my goal was 5 miles, little did I know I would end up accidentally running 6.6 miles! How does one accidentally run 6.6 miles you ask? Well here's my story and what eventually lead to my AHA moment.
I was well on my way to executing my well prepared and planned running route when I was encountered by a fork in the road. To the left of me was the original road I had came from and was suppose to go back to. And to the right of me, was a road that I've never seen before and looked very tempting. So being me I said to myself "Hey what the heck, let's take the Road Less Traveled."
As I'm running, I'm thinking to myself that I need to find a road that goes towards the left again because that's where I came from. The first road I found that went to the left lead to a cul-de-sac, so that would lead me no where. I ran a little further out and found another road to the left, so I took it. I'm running down this dirt road and at the end of it...I found a dead end and to the left I found an even deader end: an Unleashed Angry Dog running towards me!! I gridlocked, put my hands in front of me and yell at the dog to "STOP!". Amazingly, the dog did stop, but did not stop it's barking, and at this moment; out came the Angry home owner yelling and screaming at me to "get off my private property!!". Of course, I apologized profusely and started my trek back up the hill to get back to where I came from.
Again I was faced with another fork in the road; this time I could go to the right and back track my way to where I came from OR go the left and explore again; and of course I decided to go left; again the Road Less Traveled. This time it lead me to a beautiful trail that I had NO idea existed. I had no idea where I was and where I was running to until I found another fork in the road and finally realized I knew exactly where I was. THIS time around, I took the road that would take me back home :)
Which lead me to my AHA moment; Someone who takes 'the road less traveled' is acting independently, freeing themselves from the conformity of others (who choose to take 'the road more often traveled'), generally making their own choices, and perhaps leaving a new trail that will become the road more often traveled.
Society would suggest that the "road less traveled" is the harder, less attractive road. Most people will take the easier road. Most people search for the easier paths through life; however, the easier paths are often the less eventful. Overcoming adversity generally advances us the most in our awareness and understanding of the world. It is very rare that a person would ever say they were willing to "undo" an experience, regardless of how difficult it was. The road less traveled brings us more experience, and more experience enables us to live more. The road less traveled can make all the difference. We ought not aspire to be as enlightened as a flea.
I deeply understood something about myself today, I am a woman who embraces taking the Road Less Traveled. I may run into difficulties and make some people angry along the way (for example barking dog and angry home owner), but at the end I find uniqueness, experiences, and beauty in life that's not seen by many. I am truly grateful and appreciative of these moments. :)
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