35/100
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and Iā
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference” – Robert Frost
You choose a path, a path that will lead you to your destination. A path you willingly walk, for you want to reach at the end. That path, you arenāt expected to waver from, retreat from. Some get the right destination and path in one shot, some struggle along the way and also reach the destination albeit a little later, some change the destination, some change the path. Is that path worth the walk if the end isnāt desirable anymore? Is it not okay to leave the path then? Why is a person forced to still continue on that path? Is it just because he is already midway? Or a new path and a new destination is a risk he canāt afford? Or is it that if he leaves this path midway, heāll be labelled a failure at everything? To err is humane, right? One can err in choosing their destination! Then why is he judged, labelled, consoled, rebuked, looked down upon, lectured for it? Sometimes even forced in the disguise of inspiration to continue on the path, nevermind where his heart lies.
If a person still changes the destination, inspite of the opposition from closed ones, heās under a constant observation. Almost like a specimen. His moves are tracked, heās constantly reminded of his failure, of the lost opportunity, of his decision. At the time when heās unsure and in need of support, heās talked against it, discouraged to do it. He would might as well become a gossip. A topic to chat in free time, a topic of debate. If he succeeds, life is good, ofcourse heāll be still reminded at intervals about the path he left un-trodden. And if the success is delayed, he is simply degraded with cruelty. Why? Come to think of it, the right to question him, should only be reserved with his family. Because they are a part of his journey and theyāll support him eventually. Theyāll advice him against it at start because they too are unsure, but come around nonetheless. But he is answerable to no one else. When has that stopped people from poking their nose where it does not belong. Anyway, who can function isolated? Once you are born, you are a part of this society for good. Itās mandatory. You will be subjected to judgements and questions, nevermind the fact that your decision affects them in no way. Youāll have to face the inevitable barrage of āI TOLD YOU SOsā. How can people sometimes be so materialistic, heartless and judgmental amazes and disgusts me in equal proportions.
I know the mentality of people about education is changing but the pace is so slow that something as simple as letting people follow their heart and passion might need another evolution.
Iāve seen someone very close go through this. He has succeeded and made everyone proud but the path wasnāt easy. The sole purpose to write this is to let people know that itās okay to be confused, okay to be wrong sometimes. Allow them a chance. Donāt be too harsh, you might lose something valuable in forcing your views. Iāll leave youāll with a brood-worthy question āwhat is success to you?ā