Words of Wisdom from Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, 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 (1874-1963)

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Robert Frost's poetry...but this particular poem has a lot to say about many different things in life.  It could be applicable to a life with chronic pain if you think about it.

Living with a chronic condition puts a person on a different life path than someone who is in relatively good health.  This simply means that life experiences may be framed in different way. For example, most people with chronic pain can exercise, but they may have to modify how they exercise.  Most activities of daily living can be accomplished, perhaps at a modified pace or with the help of gadgets.

One thing is for sure...when chronic health conditions are a part of life, especially the painful ones..the world is an entirely different place. Great life experiences are possible...and making the effort, albeit unconventional...makes all the difference!


Sources: Bartleby.com;wikimedia