Lately I have been thinking about limits and remembered this poem. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to share it on my blog. It has a sad quality to it, and with so much darkness in the world today, I desire to offer light. But also, as a wise person recently advised me, It would be helpful to be vulnerable. What decided me to post it today, after a somewhat stressful week, was a short message on the inner from Marianne.
There is a deep lesson for you in all this—the need to understand limits. Not in a sad way but as peaceful acceptance.
Marianne Oberg
So I would like to share this poem from 1997 about the paths not taken.
For every gain there is a loss For every path taken there is a path I did not choose For every accomplishment there is a cherished hope unfulfilled I think that for a long time I did not grasp this essential limitation I was sure that somehow all could be done In my youth time seemed endless In my middle years I was sure there was yet time enough. But now the plain truth is coming home And I think I may understand my chronic sadness As I look out on the vast world Limitless in opportunity Yet not limitless to me.