We all had to memorize Robert Frost’s proclaimed masterpiece, “The Road Not Taken,” in grade school. The takeaway? To understand the nobility in taking the path most others don’t – to forgo conformity. It embedded in us the idea that we, as individuals, are just that: individuals. We can lead unique and personalized lives that don’t trace the steps of many before us. But since my blind regurgitation of the poem as a child, when nearly nothing I did was authentic or personally reasoned, I have come to understand that a poem, just like any other work of art, is open to interpretation. Some have pondered Frost’s true intention in forging two roads, knowing well that only one permits travel with the unlikelihood of a do-over. Lines like, “Oh, I kept the first for another day… I doubted if I should ever come back,” and “I shall be telling this with a sigh, Somewhere ages and ages hence,” may allude to regret and the possibility that venturing down this road less traveled may have been a mistake for our famous wanderer.
Frost’s poem beautifully captures an essential quality of life: that the timeline of our experiences is our road. Sometimes turning back on decisions we’ve made, on the path we’ve chosen, whether or not mistakenly, can be difficult. But what constitutes a mistake? What really is worthy of regret and wondering what would’ve happened had we stepped left instead of right?
The Wall Street Journal dedicated some space in its Soapbox recently to talk mistakes. Six successful and diverse individuals were interviewed to discuss what a mistake meant to them and how best to handle the varying aftermaths. Most responses were geared toward career paths and how to handle your professional life when things aren’t going your way. They talked about how to change direction, get back on track and push through the discouragement until real success comes knocking. While their range of advice may not be relevant to everyone and their ideas of what constitutes a mistake may not ring true to the masses, their words speak to a student population like ours. We at the University of Utah are a body of people who essentially have the world at our fingertips. “Mistakes,” for us and for those interviewed for The Wall Street Journal equate to experience. There’s little that can be so detrimental to a young, capable, educated individual’s success that he or she won’t be able to bounce back another way. In other words, taking the road less traveled doesn’t yet have to be a mistake. There’s time to change your mind. There’s time to backtrack and find a new path.
To me, the only real mistake someone can make would be to go through life without passion and intent. Life is going to happen. Experience follows. “Mistakes” are inevitable. But real regret comes from taking a path that you’re not putting your best effort into. Maybe it doesn’t challenge you. Maybe you hate it to the point that you withdraw your ambition, creativity and love for meaningful and honorable work. But you’ll never regret giving something your best shot. While you’re young, there’s still time to change your mind with minimal consequences. For a more fulfilling life, take your experiences in stride, stay passionate and positive and don’t let yourself fall into a gusty sigh when thinking back on past opportunities and what-ifs.