Based on Wednesday Writers memoir group discussion

ACTION: Read the poem by Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken”. How does it relate to your life experiences?

Throughout our lives, we are faced with choices – will I do this? Or that? Sometimes we analyze, ponder, make lists .. sometimes we just leap right in, scarcely thinking about it. We have all been shaped by these choices – whether in total ignorance, or reaching for a dream.  These choices influence who we are today, as aging adults.

Reasons why I make certain choices – am I courageous, bold, anxious or fearful?

• My personality – am I a risk-taker? Fearful? Overly confident?  A realist?
• My skills and talents – my decision may uncover previously hidden talents
• Choose NOT – not this person, not this job? Not this community? not this …………
• Survival: ‘brazen need’ that over rides thinking it through
• Connections – am I influenced by parents, teacher, family, friends
• Expected role – males can…, females should … teachers must . . big brother, younger sister ?
• Driven by expectations that this is ‘just the way things are”
• Relationships & roles – single? Married? Children? Close relatives? Role model?
• ‘class’ or economic circumstance – do choices differ for the rich, well off, middle class, poor, working class? upper class?
• Opportunities at another location – will things be better in a city? in the county? nearby? Too far?
• Messages I’ve learned – ‘stranger danger’, just say NO, go along with it, use your voice, stand up for yourself, just let it go, don’t rock the boat ….
• Reality – I have to avoid something, change my direction? Will I get lost?
• Opportunity knocks – open the door or slam it shut?
• Choice or chance? how much time do I have to decide? ‘opportunity knocks .”
• Life needs changing – should I move? get a new job? New partner? New country?
• My health – Am I strong and able? facing Illness or disability? Chronic conditions, surgery? aging
• Friends – those I choose, people I avoid (and why),
• Isolated? Do I prefer one or two close friends? part of a clique?
• Hope for the best . . .
  
  Some of the choices that continue to affect us throughout our lives
• My career
• Parenting as a single mother
• Job – with government benefits? Large company? Start up?
• How to Travel- by bus? Train? Drive? Air? Walk? Hitch hike?
• Get a job or go to school, or work or hang out on the beach
• Post secondary education – trade? Academic? Profession?
• Grab the first offer – unknown, but will give it a try
• Move to another place – city? Rural? Back home?

Many of us are driven by a need for INDEPENDENCE –

a ‘growing fire’ to make it on my own, to show myself and others that I am capable!

ACTION: make a list of some important life choices – what were the options, what might have the results been if you had chosen differently? How did this decision affect you as your life unfolded?