The Road Less Travelled

This book was recommended to me by a psychologist in the late 80’s, and was very helpful.

This is a book I consider to be “required reading” in the classroom of life.

The title comes from a poem by Robert Frost – see later in the post.

Also see “The Road Less Traveled And Beyond.”

Frankly, it’s been so long since I read it that I don’t remember much of the details.  Here are some of the notes I wrote in my copy:

Four Tools of Discipline

1. Dedication to the truth (out of denial)
2. Accepting Responsibility for whole of life, for my anxiety, depression, what is happening in my life.  I may be responsible to someone else, but not for someone, with the exception of a small child I may be caring for.
3. Delaying gratification.  Pain is a professor, you must be willing to learn from  your pain.
4. Balancing – Wisdom – Be straight with others.  Tell them when they need to be told.  If it hurts them instead of helping, don’t tell them.

Underlined:

• All self-discipline might be defined as teaching ourselves to do the unnatural
• I define love thus: the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.
• Love is an act of will – namely, both an intention and an action.  Will also implies choice.  We do not have to love.  We choose to love.
• If an act is not one of work or courage, it is not an act of love. There are no exceptions.

And many other underlinings.

Get this book.  Study it.  But beware, it may lead you down the road less traveled, the one of profound spiritual growth similar to what I’ve been on.

The Road Less Traveled

— Robert Frost