‘The less travelled’ is one of the popular poems written by Robert Frost.
The poem mentions two roads – one less travelled and the other often travelled.
Looking at society today, many of us have been skipping the road less travelled, and rather hit the one often travelled.
I would like to focus on the life-changing message of this poem with regards to the country’s unemployment crisis.
While many young people are crying for employment, there is another major hidden problem we seem to overlook – the ‘aftermath’ of being employed.
We often assume giving people jobs would automatically kick-start their lives for the better.
The popular assumption is that having a secure job solves your problems, but thi is nothing but a fairytale.
Job security is a myth.
You often hear of people with jobs saying they are still struggling – financially and emotionally.
Many of us have found that when our labour is not in aligned with our income, we lose our passion and anthusiasm for the job.
Many of us have also fallen into deep debt.
This results in poor performance at work, a lack of passion, and lives haunted by turmoil.
What is the point of being employed?
Is it to conform to the status quo of society?
Why are we not taking the road less travelled? In his book, ‘Man’s Search for Himself’, Rollo May wrote: “The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it is conformity.”
This statement boldly summarises many of our lives.
To accumulate more and more debt is to conform.
Is debt unavoidable?
Yes!
How? Well, try to live your life as if you don’t have a pay cheque.
It’s that simple.
Most of us know the difference between good debt and bad debt.
But most of us have bad debts.
Of course, the economy is tough, inflation is at an all-time high, consumer prices are soaring, and our salaries are stagnant.
Yet the main cause of our debts is our tendency to conform to others.
While looking for employment, we should ask ourselves what we would do if we were fortunate enough to secure a job.
When we secure jobs, let’s use it wisely.
Let’s use our jobs to make a difference, impact lives, and support our families and communities.
In summary, let’s not let debt and conformity conquer us.
Let’s gather the courage to take the road less travelled.
Daniel Sampayo