The other way!

35/100

“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

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 aren’t 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 isn’t 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 can’t afford? Or is it that if he leaves this path midway, he’ll 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, he’s under a constant observation. Almost like a specimen. His moves are tracked, he’s constantly reminded of his failure, of the lost opportunity, of his decision. At the time when he’s unsure and in need of support, he’s 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 he’ll 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 they’ll support him eventually. They’ll 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. It’s mandatory. You will be subjected to judgements and questions, nevermind the fact that your decision affects them in no way. You’ll have to face the inevitable barrage of ‘I TOLD YOU SOs’. 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.
I’ve seen someone very close go through this. He has succeeded and made everyone proud but the path wasn’t easy. The sole purpose to write this is to let people know that it’s okay to be confused, okay to be wrong sometimes. Allow them a chance. Don’t be too harsh, you might lose something valuable in forcing your views. I’ll leave you’ll with a brood-worthy question ‘what is success to you?’