Two decades is a long time in the life of an individual but just a “tick” in the life of the universe. What we do and how we do it is a passion with me. I have never been one to sit on my backside and wait; all my motivation has been channelled into “doing” so the following quote from Mark Twain fits extremely well with me:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off your bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Almost twelve months ago when I first started this blog, I wrote about the ‘less travelled path’ and I think this is the same view that Mark Twain adopts in his quote. When I look back 20 years I can empathise with his view; I am indeed (slightly) disappointed with what I did not do but extremely delighted with those things I did do. Long ago I left the ‘safe harbour’ behind me heading for ‘new visions’, most of which I found.
Everywhere in life options confront us – do we take the safer (better-known and understood) route or branch out into unknown territory where we have no clear idea where it will lead? I have rarely opted for the former but rather explored new ‘unknowns’ – I can say in all honesty I have looked for the ‘partly-known unknowns’.
I know I am coming to the end of a life full of surprises, excitement, lucky chances and, yes, disappointments (at times), but would I change it even if I could? NOT ONE IOTA as I am more than delighted with my span of years and what they have contained.
So, from me and Mark Twain – explore, dream, discover….
Until next time (and always seeking unknown territory),
Peripatetic Scribe
Now this is good P.S. and my school kids will love it as it opens up whole new ideas for them. Mark Twain is an excellent model and I am trying to get some of his works for us. You have given us a lot of food for thought and my thanks (sorry our thanks)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anonymous. He's good reading especially stuff other than the normal, known writings. I think it important that children (and maybe even adults) are exposed to all things new as it keeps the motivation rising, that's been my experience. P.S.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteThis could summarise it well:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
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
Lucana
Lucana - you beautiful comment has taken me back almost 60 years. I remember first reading this when I was VERY young and it has a huge and long-lasting impression upon me. To quote the final line again "and that has made all the difference". Now I shall revisit Robert Frost for my sensibilities. Great!
ReplyDelete