Gifford Volunteer Chaplain Kathy Rohloff shares her personal reflections in this blog post. Kathy and all of our volunteer chaplains offer a nonsectarian presence. If you need someone to listen, and hear you with compassion, you can reach them by calling the Rev. Tim Eberhardt at 802-728-2107.
By Kathy Rohloff
Robert Frost’s famous poem, “Two Roads Diverged in a Wood”, recalls a walk that he took that caused him to have to decide between two paths. He famously chose the one less traveled by, stating that choice made all the difference in his life.
We can all relate to making choices that affect our lives. Early marriage or a single life, trade school or college, country or city, travel or investments, renter or homeowner are just a few.
Those choices have molded our lives and brought new opportunities or responsibilities.
Some choices have negatively impacted our lives and the list may contain abusive relationships, excessive partying, credit card debt, addictive behavior, and the fear of change or failure. All are real and all cast long shadows into our lives.
The thing that is true about negative choices is that they can be reversed or redeemed. But a mountain of debt will have to be systematically destroyed by a real effort to NOT spend, take on a part time job, and ultimately pay what is owed.
Facing another broken relationship will mean NOT rushing into the next. Time may have to be spent alone, working through real needs, and determining to not settle for less. This is a time of healing where we must learn to accept and love ourselves.
Adolescent party habits easily turn into addictions when they become our method of comfort whenever disappointments, sadness, or boredom is felt. An addiction can easily become a cruel master. Today is the day to STOP, join others that are walking on the road to recovery and reclaim life.
All these roads are created by dysfunction and have been maintained by our choices.
Excuses, dishonesty, and self-loathing have created the pavement which is full of potholes and tripping hazards. This walk does not bring comfort, just a realization that we are again repeating old habits that are controlling our lives.
Begin today to change the direction and course of the path. It will take tremendous will power and determination to stay the course.
This new road can become familiar as we walk it. The twists and bends become natural and instinctive; there is no fear here.
We can adapt our attire and footwear to the changing seasons.
It is good.
This is a new road not taken before; it will make a difference.
