Pete’s blog

Don’t feel like anything intellectual tonight, so here’s something completely different (with apologies to Robert Frost – the bane of many an English lesson).

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – … I took neither, but instead turned away from the road and made my own path, so that others may one day follow.

It is a bit of an overdone cliché – life is like a road, like is a journey, etc, etc. But what the hell, I’m going to say the same thing – if it is a cliché, there must be some truth in it. However, I come from Africa and often there are no roads, only stunning scenery – life is a trek across country.

I often see my life as a journey, I don’t know where I going, but I have a pretty good idea which direction. Some days if I strain my eyes, I imagine I can see a glimpse of my destination – it seems so far and I can’t make out what it is, but it shines in the sunlight and calls to me. Those are the good days, when I have reached the top of a mountain. Those are the days when I am on top of the world and my future path lies clearly in front of mine, and I can see how far I have come. As I look back at where I have been, I can see the previous hills and the valleys between. The sight of them brings back memories both good and bad, but from a distance the hills don’t seem are tall or steep, and the valleys don’t seem as deep or treacherous. Although I can remember being there, I know that I can never return; to do so I would have to retrace my steps and turn my back on my goal. The past so clearly behind me, but unreachable.

In front I can see my future like a map – the possible paths are endless. I try to remember what I have seen, but once I am down in the bushes it is easy to lose my way. The way is also difficult to chose, trees may hide a deep ravine or a cliff may be hidden behind a hill. I can see the easy roads, but they often lead away from my goal. My destination too is not always visible – most hills only allow you to see as far as the next hill.

So after seeing how far I have come and how far I have yet to go, I step off the ridge and head into the valleys. Some valleys are beautiful and open – at the bottom I can forget about my journey and rest for a while. But in the tranquillity and beauty lies a trap – it is too easy to forget the journey and too easy to succumb to the comforts offered. Many people stay and find happiness in these valleys, but I must journey on, I am compelled. Maybe one day I will stay, but I am still young and will use all my energy to get as far as possible.

Other valleys are overgrown and dense, with trees that block your path, turn you around and scratch you with their thorns. These are the difficult valleys. Every step is a fight, I am no longer sure if I am on the right path and all sorts of trouble hides in the undergrowth. Exhausted, bleeding, disheartened and only able to see two steps in front of me, the temptation to give up or to turn back is strong. But I press on through, and reaching the next hill is more glorious for the effort.

And so good luck on your journeys, I am glad that you have joined me on mine. May you always know which direction you are going, may you never have to turn back, may you never get lost, may your companions be many, may you always enjoy the scenery and may the effort always be worth it.