There Is A Pleasure In The Pathless Woods
Posted on 27. Jun, 2009 by lollydaskal in Blog, Leadership Development, Personal Development
Have you ever wondered what is the road less traveled in your life? There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but Nature more, From these our interviews, in which I steal From all I may be, or have been before, To mingle with the Universe, and feel What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal. These first few lines of Lord Byron's poem appeared on screen at the beginning of the movie, Into the Wild, the film is based on a true story about a young man, Christopher McCandless, who died in the wilds of Alaska while seeking adventure, searching for himself, and probing for true meaning in and of his existence. Reading and pondering the meaning of Lord Byron's words brought to mind a couple of other writers who also sought their own individualistic experience and expression of life. In The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost, addresses the value of independence and personal freedom in making choices at the forks in life's road. And, of course, one cannot leave out Thoreau without thinking of his desire for simple living and self-reliance by embracing and becoming one with nature, as expressed in Walden. Excerpt from Walden - Henry David Thoreau I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear, nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary……. Many other writers, philosophers, and thinkers over the centuries have expressed similar or companion notions that opt for freedom of the individual over the bonds and trappings of society and government. Whether it is labeled transcendental idealism, pragmatic existentialism, rational individualism, or some other construct of human seeking, there remains a strong romantic appeal to a simpler life free of the shackles of society. If you advance confidently in the direction of your dreams, and endeavor to live the life, in which you have imagined, you will meet success in unexpected common hours. In proportion, as you simplify your life the laws of the universe will appear less complex, and solitude will not be solitude, nor will poverty be poverty, nor weakness be weakness. Trust in yourself and in doing so, you trust in the very wisdom that created you. It is impossible to become a no-limit person if you focus on limitations. Therefore, only focus on what you want to attract for your life. You already are complete, whole and perfect. You are free now, to take pleasure in the pathless woods. Trust in the perfection of your life. Travel on the road less traveled, because there you will find peace, magic, and joy.7 Responses to “There Is A Pleasure In The Pathless Woods”
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Arnt Eriksen
27. Jun, 2009
Thank you for this wonderful post, insightful and very relevant based on the hectic everyday life we all lead today. We need to ground ourselves, and challenge our position by trying the road less traveled – only to find it was the right choice, and the right path to success. All mavens in business have in some degree done that, and I am about to do the same.
thank you.
- arnt
Harold "Butch" Frick
28. Jun, 2009
Recently one of my clients hired a consultant to help them in the lean manufacturing process. One of the first things the consultant recommended was to slow down the line. Interestingly enough, the client was able to produce more products by doing this because it reduced errors, repairs and qualtiy rejects. There are certain universal truths and perhaps this is one. We need to slow down and when we do we see the world in a different way. We become open to the universe, become more creative and find unique ways to solve issues. We also learn that we are more than our career. Great post.
Iris abd ME
28. Jun, 2009
Wonderful post.
As I discover the spiritual pathway of my life I now know it is an unmarked walk in the woods not a super highway on a road map where the road and the map have been contrived and constructed by a religion.
Every step I take is a choice to do the next right thing in service to self , others and a Higher Power, the Spirit of the Universe.
Happy, joyous and free is the soul who walks in faith with the
God of their understanding.
Beth Dargis
29. Jun, 2009
This is one of the main reasons I’m on the simple living path. I want the freedom to follow what makes me curious, have time to learn new things, and take the path that I may not know where it goes.
ethan
14. Dec, 2010
couldnt agree more.
i need to see the world and make up my own mind…
about everything ive been taught.
Byron
08. Sep, 2011
This is a thing that is only possible if done gradually over a very long time. To suddenly put all in doubt is to have nothing available with which to organize experience, but to readjust gradually is perfectly possible. It will be found that not everything one “knows already” is wrong, though the more common error is to assume that everything one “knows already” is right. The latter view makes science impossible and both religion and philosophy a mockery.
Mina Astran- Sowell
23. Nov, 2011
What a fantastic post! The insight and feedback all are enlightening!