The Woods

Are you bold enough to choose a new path?

Early childhood literature has had us in fear of the woods; fear of big bad wolves, of meeting treacherous fate much like Hansel and Gretel, and of the dark unknown- past the point of human curiosity and exploration. Our natural instincts consist of pushing out the things we fear, perhaps due to the fear of what might be discovered. Robert Frost spoke of taking the road less traveled, claiming that this makes all the difference. But what effect does this choice have on our lives? I think at some point in everyone's existence, we must decide if we are dizzied or dazzled by the woods- of the unknown, of the longing for exploration within all of us. For many, the fear is too strong. Civilization is comfort and warmth, and the current path is believed to be beaten down due to success. But I think the woods is a place for freedom. It's full of reflection and individuality. The road is less traveled, but that doesn't make the journey any less fantastic. It just makes the view that much more refreshing on the other side- for it's not polluted by the conformity of society and those stamped by the fear of starting again. Everyone has to decide between exploring their inner woods or fleeing from it. And if we choose to enter- who will we discover ourselves to be on the other side?